Big Test Tonight
The first time we left the two dogs alone it was a nightmare when we returned: large houseplants pulled out by their roots and dragged around the house, trash knocked over and rummaged through, Kleenex boxes ripped apart and the contents scattered around as if by a tornado. I am sure that Charlie may have shouldered him aside if he got into anything interesting to eat, but we knew it was Toby the instigator, the evil-doer. For six months, every time we left the dogs free access to the house while we left, even for only 5 to 10 minutes, it was wanton destruction when we returned. Toby quickly learned that he was in for it and as soon as we walked in, we would find Charlie at the door but Toby was no where to be found. He would would be hiding outside in the bushes until we had cleaned up the inevitable mess and then, head down, he would quietly sneak in, hoping the worst was over. That was just Toby being Toby we figured. So after a few months of regular damage abatement, we just shut the dogs up in a sanitized room or left them outside if we had to go out. I've never had to do that with any of my dozen sheepdogs. Poor Charlie, paying a penalty along side of the perpetrator just because he was a sheepdog too. For a year and a half that's how its been. Then a month ago we tried leaving them in the house while we were out for 15 minutes. We picked up and put away everything we could think of that he could get into, knowing that he always managed to outsmart us in the past. Opening the door on our return There was Charlie and as usual, no Toby. Oh-oh, here we go again. We ran through the rooms downstairs. No mess, nothing... amazing. I ran upstairs and checked every room. Nothing out of place. Where was Toby? I found him hiding outside, in the bushes. "Good BOY, Toby!" He couldn't believe it. "Good BOY!" Toby ran into the house like he had been let out of jail. Dog cookies for all. So now we have left them longer and longer. Last time I even didn't bother to sanitize the counters, even leaving a box of cookies out. None missing. Good DOG! Tonight we are going out for 4 and a half hours. The big test. He's three now and maybe, just maybe, he's grown up at last. We'll see. |
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Best of luck - somehow I alsways suspect they are trying to lull me into lowering my guard before they strike  |
| I hope they pass with flying colors! Jenny is only 1 year old and I don't see her being trusted any time soon. |
Go Toby--I hope you pass the test!  |
 goodluck Toby!!! I hope you pass the test |
| It's funny how different dogs can be. Lily is only 4 months older than Lola and I trust her implicitly. Lola, not so much. If a dog will chew on your coffee table right in front of you...well...
I hope Toby passes. It would be such a great milestone! |
| Toby— Grade: F
Yup, we got home and were greeted by Charlie... no Toby. Trash cans on their side, coffee grounds all over the carpet, trash everywhere. Still no Toby. I saw him sticking his head in while I was picking the mess up and when he saw me, then he ran away again. He knows what he is doing but he does it anyway. The little devil. Someone just snuck up behind me as I write... and now I feel a little dog lick on my elbow. I know who it is. It's just hard to stay mad at a sheepdog. |
| OH TOBY KEEP TRYING |
See - lulled you into complacency didn't they 
I find it's just better to make sure everyone is in an assigned place when I leave the house. I already had to replace one couch because of my first OES, I may not learn immediately - but I do learn eventually  |
kerry wrote: See - lulled you into complacency didn't they
You're right, I had so much hopes for him making a big change in his behavior when we aren't there. But there are no miraculous turnarounds in behavior— in dogs or people. It's one of the things you have to work with if you take in an older dog from rescue, I suppose. He is getting better, I think. More confident, less excitable... a little better, anyway. I'll keep trying. he's worth it. |
rfloch wrote: It's just hard to stay mad at a sheepdog.
So true hey? I think through Survival of the Fittest, the silliest and most clownish OES's were the only ones that survived, and they now give us the current clown-breed we know today! |
I'd be tempted to put up a nanny-cam just to make sure who the real culprit is. Could it be that Toby is hiding from the evil doing Charlie...not wanting to have any parts in his shenanigans???    |
Chauncey wrote: I'd be tempted to put up a nanny-cam just to make sure who the real culprit is. Could it be that Toby is hiding from the evil doing Charlie...not wanting to have any parts in his shenanigans???
No nannycam, but I'm 100% certain its Toby. But since he failed the big test, I've been leaving them for shorter times than 4 hours—a half hour, an hour... and putting up the trash can too, I confess. Toby's been getting a passing grade. Better than passing. He's now even waiting in the house at the door with Charlie when we come home. Maybe I put too much pressure on him with the final exam. I have hope again... UPDATE: We were out for four hours last night. Came home—Toby and Charlie met us at the door like perfectly behaved dogs. No sign of a mess. They got rewarded with a scoop of cottage cheese. They also seem to have turned a new leaf in their relationship which has always been a bit wary especially on Charlie's part. Lately they have been sleeping together, nestled back-to-back. Unfortunately, they sometimes do this by beating me upstairs at night, getting on the bed and quickly getting into the position where they are next to impossible to dislodge without a lot of grumbling and groaning until they finally relent and get off. |
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