He broke the gate!!!
  I think he wanted to know if there was any Jameson left   So what do I do now?! A stronger gate?? |
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| OH NO!! Well that just sucks!! I don't know what the answer is. A stronger gate or a crate...... |
The screws snapped! I'd be first in line to return that gate tomorrow. The Jameson may have been the final incentive, but the gates job is to protect him from himself.  |
Okay, it really is a bummer the gate broke, but I love the look on his face "oh,oh".  I wish I had a bright idea as to how solve your problem. Hope someone else has a good suggestion. The first photo is priceless! peg |
| Great photo. He looks pretty pleased with himself. A stronger gate will only last until he learns to jump over it. Both of mine can easily get over any baby gate. I used crates with mine until they became trustworthy. I also converted the mudroom into a dog den, which works great. |
| That's what we get when we farm out all of our manufacturing to China, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, et al. I'd try another gate. One made in the U.S., with all of it's parts made in the U.S. I wonder how he broke it. Brick & Zeke are deathly afraid of gates. Just the mere sound of the gate will send them scurrying for cover.  |
| We keep our garbage out in the garage....no waste baskets in the house...not so much because of the dogs..it's because of the cat. |
| Although I have genuine concern for Rude Dog..... is it wrong of me to think this is amusing on a Sunday morning.... the face... honestly.... |
| Oh sure, laugh at my misery! I have to admit, the first thing we do when we come home to the messes is gasp and usually swear, but the second thing is laugh and grab the camera. I'm definitely going to call the gate company and see about getting a refund, then I'm going to see if I can get something stronger and more Rudie proof. I think he hurt himself trying to get out of a wire crate, so a massive airplane crate might be in the future. But like I said before we're planning on moving in the next few months and one of my requisites is a mudroom or area that I can close him off in. It's just the matter of these few months... |
| How embarrassing. An English Sheepdog caught with a taste for Irish Whisky. |
| You just can't leave that kind of temptation around. He keeps getting rewarded for the worst kind of behavior. I'm thinking that you MUST strip the house of all rewards that he could possibly get into. We couldn't leave anything around ever with our Jake, and leaving anything around with Mulligan is just asking for trouble, even though he's a good dog. I think you're just gonna have to treat your place like you have a toddler and not leave ANY risky things anywhere. If that means taking out the trash every time you make trash, after every meal, that's what you're going to have to do.  All food is inside or on top of the fridge. or behind secured doors. Don't worry, you get used to it. |
| Ditto w/ Ron. When you have a dog so driven, you can't leave anything anywhere. The Dynamic Duo were our problem children. Sure does update your housekeeping skills. |
| Ditto too with what Ron said. Knowing you have a "Hoover" of a dog that will go to any lengths for the tinniest scrap of anything that seems edible, time to train "Dave" better   It would not matter what type of secure gate you have even one that is made of metal and bolted into frames would make no difference either, eventually if the temptation is over the other side he WILL master up and over if he cant "Bull dozer" through  Your just going too as ron said, make it rudi proof (yes like having a toddler), So there is nothing to tempt him to try a prison break out !!!  Maybe you should of given Rudi the name "Wombat" there known here as the "Bull Dozers" of the bush, bang crash Yipee. |
Quote: I'm thinking that you MUST strip the house of all rewards that he could possibly get into. Exactly... wonderful advice.  One day, he could very easily get into the wrong thing and he won't get another chance.He knows where you keep his favorite things (like garbage) and seeks them out every time he's given even the opportunity. He was probably sitting behind that gate focusing on the garbage and his determination, cleverness and simple brawn paid off yet again. "And he scores!!" Time to think like an opportunistic dog. He has to be securely contained 100% of the time (an escape proof crate) or you have to 100% of the time KEEP things he likes but shouldn't have out of his reach. Sorry Rudie-dudie.  Quote: Don't worry, you get used to it. YES!! It will become second nature to you once Rudie has you trained. Jim and I were slow learners with Pandabut we finally did her proud. (Brat girl!) |
HeatherRWM wrote: Priceless! rfloch wrote: An English Sheepdog caught with a taste for Irish Whisky well.... it was St. Paddy's day I'd be putting that little trickster in a very sturdy crate. I know you wanted to avoid it, but he earned his containment. I kept saying I needed to do something about the dogs running to the living room window and putting their paws on it. Well I didn't get around to it right away and they cracked it (I say "they" but it was the sheepie!) I was so grateful she didn't get injured. It could have been so much worse. Time to consider this a warning. And judging from the look on his face you better buy the very heavyweight crate. It is very heavy but I know she can't get a paw wedged in the door or create another mishap while unattended. Good luck! |
QuailTrail wrote: I'd be putting that little trickster in a very sturdy crate. I know you wanted to avoid it, but he earned his containment. Bingo. I doubt him being a shelter dog has anything to do with not liking crates. What's to like about a crate when there are places to go and garbarge to eat? For all we know he was dumped at the shelter because of his behavior and his previous owner's squeamishness about crating the bugger. I don't like crating my dogs for extended periods of time either, and adults not at all. But after my rescue dog broke a kitchen window she's learned to appreciate confined nap time. I'll probably never be able to leave her loose unless we can find some medication that smooths out what ain't wired right in her case, but you have hope, not just the future mud room but also training. As several people have noted toddler proofing the place will go a long ways towards breaking him of his behavior. My garbage can still sits on top of the fridge when I'm not home, though. Just in case Sybil wishes she could rival his gate breaking abilities.  She's slammed through her share of gates and had to be crated for much longer than any of my dogs that I raised myself. She'll still take a swipe at the occasional gate, but hasn't needed to be crated for some time, so there's hope. Hang in there. Kristine |
| I know it's terrible but I can't help but smile, that picture is priceless, he's such a cutie! Funny, I've always loved how Rudie looks, short squat legs, but he looks like he's so tough, and I guess he is! Like a little tank that will keep going in whatever direction he wants, regardless of the obstacles, like these pics I borrowed from your library:    I'm sorry, I really am, but I find it so hard to NOT be rooting for Rudie!  But it's a safety issue I know.  |
| I hear you all loud and clear. He is definitely getting the ultimate reward for his naughtiness, so we need to train ourselves better. We had been keeping the garbage in the hallway for over a year now and it's worked really well. The reason I freaked out recently is because he turned the gas on the stove on while looking for treats up there. I have purchased knob covers for the oven though. I think with the crate I worry first about his safety. I think he would push his way out. I've had two fosters do that and came home to a house full of blood! I also worry about my awful neighbor complaining about the barking. And of course I'm projecting my own feelings of sadness about his time at the shelter onto him. So the solution I'm going with for now? Re-training ourselves to completely Rudie-proof the hosue including the stove. Also we're going to try another gate. AND we're adding dog daycare to the list. They're there today and will be going 1-2 times a week until we move... whether they like it or not! |
| We took the knobs off the stove when Simon(when he was little) turned the gas on. We put the garbage on top of the table when he started to use it as a special treat container. We used to gate them into the kitchen until they started clearing off the table and shredding (Simon) and eating (Garfunkel) everything on it. We gated them in the hallway with the bedroom doors closed but the bathroom door open for the cool tile. Simon got bored again and started to shred the tp, which Garfunkel ate. Now the tp is off the holder. Best of luck with your new plans, its hard to keep one step ahead. |
| We can't get the knobs off the oven for some reason, otherwise it would have been an easy fix! But yes, what you describe is exactly my fear. We take one thing away and he will find something else to get into. Luckily he is only driven by food and has never eaten or chewed anything else. I'll just have to make some more room in the cabinets! |
Quote: We keep our garbage out in the garage....no waste baskets in the house...not so much because of the dogs..it's because of the cat. My cats and Kenz work as a team - the cats sping the bin lid, and Kenz sticks his head in and empties it! Great picture - he obviously doesn't respect what the gate stands for! Nik |
| could it be in re-tail-ation for something!!!!! |
Dudster wrote: could it be in re-tail-ation for something!!!!! Hahaha! It's just like you to make excuses for Rudie! Maybe he can come live with you... For those of you wondering what Brenda is talking about... read my blog about Rudie's ridiculous tail that I refuse to let the groomer trim: http://dogsinmycar.blogspot.com/2011/03/tail-crazy.html |
I don't have any gate suggestions...Izzie is such a pushover that we lean the gate across the entrance to the kitchen and that keeps her out  On another note...Rudie sounds quite strong...you should get him involved in the weight pull. He could give Chewie a run for his money.  As long as there is a garbage can as the reward at the end. |
Amanda P wrote: I don't have any gate suggestions...Izzie is such a pushover that we lean the gate across the entrance to the kitchen and that keeps her out On another note...Rudie sounds quite strong...you should get him involved in the weight pull. He could give Chewie a run for his money. As long as there is a garbage can as the reward at the end.LOL - good idea!  |
Well, you have another Rudie fan. I showed my hubby the pic of Rudie smiling in front of the wreckage of the gate and garbage......  It was love at first sight. I think Rudie would make a great weight puller! He's low to the ground and built like a brick @#$%house! Oscar is like Izzie. We gate him only for his peace of mind, as when he sees the gates, he knows we're not home. (Deaf dogs can wander the house looking for you, and some dogs have been known to anxiously wander for hours at a time looking for their owner. We gated Oscar as a puppy to keep him out of trouble, and just continued as a routine.) The gates are propped against the wall. Oscar could BREATHE on them and they would fall over. We have been lucky in the chewing/counter surfing area with both OES. Neither dog has been a chewer, and while both were extremely food motivated, neither ever checked out anything that wasn't at face level or knocked over a garbage can. (Oscar likes to do a "sniff only" fly by when hubby has food on the coffee table, but he would never touch it.) Maybe Oscar is such a good boy because he already gets fed four times a day (with his meds)!!! With that meal schedule, he simply doesn't need any "supplementation"! Laurie and Oscar, Well Bred and Well Fed |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Oscar is like Izzie. We gate him only for his peace of mind, as when he sees the gates, he knows we're not home. (Deaf dogs can wander the house looking for you, and some dogs have been known to anxiously wander for hours at a time looking for their owner. We gated Oscar as a puppy to keep him out of trouble, and just continued as a routine.) The gates are propped against the wall. Oscar could BREATHE on them and they would fall over. Izzie does counter surf...so she is "gated" out of the kitchen. The final straw was when she broke the ceramic fruit bowl...she loves bananas. While ordinarily a genius/ninja for some reason leaning the gate is "enough" of a deterrent. I think it may have fallen once when she was little and scared the bejesus out of her |
| hahaha... just now reading this. I can't believe he's THAT determined to see if there are goodies in the trashcan!!! |
| Just to taunt you with garbage hounds..... Mine sits in the open, with the step lever, just a cheapy white plastic can too. We did have to resort to putting a gallon milk jug (old one, filled with water)on top of the lid to keep little 1 yr old HUMAN granddaughter Norah out of it though!! |
He was doing the world a public service - into shaming you for not seperating your waste and recycling properly  |
Archies Slave wrote: He was doing the world a public service - into shaming you for not seperating your waste and recycling properly |
| After looking at this picture and the Jamison on the floor...Are you sure your husband didn't have anything to do with this I know my hubby blames the dog for everything! Really, we have a metal gate with a tension rod and has a door. works great and with two sheepies, one 110 and the other 75, no one has broken it...Of course, we don't leave such good stuff within their smelling area! |
Archies Slave wrote: He was doing the world a public service - into shaming you for not seperating your waste and recycling properly He'll have to take that up with the City of Chicago! Update: We zip tied the gate together and totally Rudie-proofed the kitchen. He knocked over the coat rack and rooted through our pockets to see if there was anything in there, and then he barreled through the gate again and ripped up the box with the rest of the zip ties. Haha. He also opened the cabinets and pulled out the pots and pans, apparently frustrated by the fact that there was nothing for him to eat. We won't even be using the gate anymore after I get the covers for the oven knobs (should be delivered this weekend). I'm considering getting cabinet locks but I wouldn't want him to ruin them by scratching/biting them since this is a rental. Anyway, they're at daycare today so the kitchen is safe. |
| I can see it in my mind..... low rider land shark... duuuu do... duuuu do... duuduuduuduuu... |
| Excellent! He is well on the way to disappointment! It'll take a loooong time to get him to stop snooping. Hopefully, he'll eventually give up on the destructive searching once he learns he's not gonna get rewarded. He sounds MUCH tougher than our first guy, who was just an opportunistic counter surfer. I've always wondered how to convert a periodically fed dog to free grazing... and if a dog like Rudie can be converted over to free grazing... and if so, would that stop the behavior? I think I'll start a new topic about converting feeding approaches. Here it is! viewtopic.php?f=24&t=32887 (PLUS, I kind of had an epiphany as I was writing it... I have a sort of parallel experience that I outlined there. |
| Good luck free feeding a bonafide grazer! Most of mine would eat till they just about exploded. The only dog I ever free fed was my first OES, who was both a picky eater and an only dog. And she eventual outgrew the pickiness and then I got a nice long lecture from my vet about killing my dog with kindness. It does work for some dogs though. Really I just wanted to write to admire his determination and ingenuity based on his latest update. I always thought I had a premiere snoop and surfer in Sybil, but she's got nothing on this dude. WOW! We to you, Rudy!Kristine |
I'm with Kristine on this one, I would have two that would eat if given the chance of free feeding and explode  Piglets rule this house. The other thing I dont like about free feeding is you dont know the quanity they are consuming through the day, not so much in Rudis case as he is fully mature but when younger in that developement stage and growing quickly are they getting in a day all that is required? I like to know yes even when they do blow out in weight how much is going into them or do they need more or less in measured amounts. With Rudi he is so food orientated I would be looking at uping vegies, low caloried things like that to satisfy the "Oompa Loompa" till you have that weight perfect & to keep him fuller and satisfied, then treat him with low cal stuff and just another tip over his dry (Kibble) in the morning, just that topped with cottage cheese or Yoghurt just something simple there over his I hope reduced calorie Kibble you are giving him . Even dividing up his meals if you can, through the day to more regular feeding, say instead of just morning and night an extra one or two through the day but over the day he is still consuming the same amount for the weight loss just getting his choppers into more smaller feeds more frequently through the day.I guess I am anti "Free Feeding" as I do like to know who is eating what?, How Much is each one getting? Is one blowing out more then the rest? Dogs have different rates of using food consumed some can eat heaps and not blow out like the "Michelan Man" others need less in their diets. So knowing what amounts goes into them helps enormously. |
| He opened the fridge. Dave was gone for 10 minutes tops and came home to the fridge wide open. He ate 3 tomatoes, a brick of cheddar, and pita bread. |
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HeatherRWM wrote: He opened the fridge. Dave was gone for 10 minutes tops and came home to the fridge wide open. He ate 3 tomatoes, a brick of cheddar, and pita bread.  Man, he's a mess! Next item to purchase: http://www.mypreciouskid.com/refrigerator-lock.html HeatherRWM wrote: This made me laugh so hard, I feel guilty because I know it's just awful for you guys. |
| It's so hard not to laugh! All your Rudie-in-trouble pictures are adorable! |
Oh, what a naughty boy!  He is darn cute though...good for him... You are aware that continuing to leave him loose and letting him do stuff is just reinforcing the behavior, right? |
got sheep wrote: You are aware that continuing to leave him loose and letting him do stuff is just reinforcing the behavior, right? Yes, I get it. I'm not blaming him or looking for sympathy, I'm just sharing some funny pictures and the bumps in our journey of Rudie-proofing. I really didn't think he would be able to open the fridge! Fridge lock will be purchased tonight! |
like the rest of us we are lol can't help it i am suprise that is all he ate in 10 min!!!!!!!!  what will he do next |
HeatherRWM wrote: He opened the fridge. Dave was gone for 10 minutes tops and came home to the fridge wide open. He ate 3 tomatoes, a brick of cheddar, and pita bread. What? You must have been out the dill yogurt sauce, huh? At least he chose healthy snacks! It's a dicey situation... what if he had eaten something bad for him - and all of it? I really feel like you are getting these warnings but keep imposing the discipline on yourselves rather than on Rudey. Okay, before you end up duct taping every cabinet drawer, fridge, stove, oven, bbq and finally your purse (cause it might have a stick of gum or mint in it....) let me talk about the crate again, briefly. First, you know that once you get the crate it will require some training before you ever use it, right? Based upon the Rude One, I am guessing that might be a couple of weeks. Then there is the location, purchase and delivery of a crate that is a heavy enough gauge to keep The Rudester safely confined. You can't just blow into the local big box and find these, you need to order it online or buy it at a dog show. So a solution to your problem is still several weeks out, if you should make the decision this moment to do it. Second, I think you are thinking of the crate as punishment/jail instead of giving Rudey his own room - and it can be way luxe at that. I always left the puppy a tasty frozen peanut butter kong or yummy shin bone to gnaw on as a condition of spending time in the crate. I bet Rudey would love that. Third, it is important to realize that the crate can be just a temporary tool on the path to Rude's spiritual new awakening. So it does not have to be a forever thing. Fourth and finally, why not try the crate while you are trying all the other lock down methods? If you don't like it, then donate the crate to a dog rescue. Or better yet, if you live near someone who has one not currently in use, maybe you could borrow it for a month or so to see how it would work out. I think Rude Dog rocks. I am just worried for you both. I hope you will think of getting a crate and trying it out - without confining him in it at first. That way you can witness how he might actually enjoy the experience. Left to his own devices of free range roulette grazing seems like you are walking the path of certain disaster. And no one wants that. The Rudester just hasn't thought it through. Btw, I know that Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer is looking for cases for the upcoming season. You might want to consider that too. Okay, my lips are zipped. I promise!  (I like a Jasmine Mata blend!)Good luck! |
OMG!!!!  Ahahahahahaha!!! OMG!!!! This may be both the funniest, cutest and scariest post and picture ever! |
| He is soooo incredibly resourceful! I wonder how we could redirect that intelligence!!!! World hunger could be SOLVED! |
| Is his food behavior only an issue when you're not home? I know that I have "observed" different behaviors from my guys when they thought we were gone vs just in another room. What if he could be led to believe you were just in the next room? Also, Jake used to get involved with a plastic ball that was filled with dry kibble and a maze for it to get out of a very small hole. Even my less-than-brilliant Jake got it right away and used to bat that thing around for an hour or so until there was no more rattling from inside it. I'm tryin.... |
| OH...my...goodness ! |
| All I can do is Laugh Rudi the Ruthless, nothing stands in his way when it comes to "Munchies", no cupboard is safe,no garbage bin, no fridge etc etc etc HECK "Hey Easy Peasie"  Gotta give the man credit with his "Houdini" ways Seriously though is there a door to the Kitchen that can be closed? Let him in the rest of the house if there is but Padlock the Kitchen door or make sure it stays closed without being opened by the KING of scavenging  . If you dont want to crate him. I can understand that if you feel he will bark and carry on but if there is a way to keep him out of the Kitchen then my suggestion is, Gawd Bolt the door"  |
| "Rudie the Ruthless" you're the entertainer at this forum! He is adorable........and the good thing here is that this guy will never starve, he know how to satisfy his hunger!! Well done Rudy! |
| Wow! That dog is MOTIVATED! Heather, I am sorry that you are dealing with this. On some level, it is hysterically funny to see those pictures, but on another, terribly frustrating for you. Do you feel this behavior is appetite-driven or anxiety-driven? A bit of both? Have you tried any of the toys puzzles you fill with kibble, or some other edible nummy for when you leave? Are you afraid he would destroy the toy and eat it? If you feel it is mostly an anxiety issue, you might want to talk to your vet about anti-anxiety meds. As you know, Oscar has Immune Mediated Disease, which manifests itself in IBD. Turns out, in humans they recently started using an anti-anxiety med for IBD (amitriptyline) as there tends to be a stress component. Since amitriptyline is already used in dogs for anti-anxiety, my vet suggested we try it to help with Oscar's IBD. He's been on it for over a year now, and I feel it has really made a positive difference in his tummy situation, without ANY side effects that they say to watch for (drowsiness, ect.) My 21 year-old nephew just started taking amitriptyline at night for migraines, and the drug makes him pretty tired. Poor kid. I had to tell him he is taking Oscar's meds. Laurie and Oscar |
| I'm glad we can all laugh together Ron- to answer your question, he wouldn't dare jump on the counters or even sniff the garbage can while we are home. Sometimes I'll catch him getting up really early in the morning (and I'll even admit this is adorable) and sniffing around the kitchen to see if he can quietly snatch anything while we sleep. I also know that he starts looking immediately after we leave because I have caught him on the counters after coming back in for something I forgot. I'm thinking a scat mat might be in order. I don't think it's anxiety driven at all. He is just hungry and loves food, he's been that way since the day I met him... which might be why he was 15 lbs overweight! I talked to our vet about it and brought up the possibility that it was a side effect of his thyroid meds, but his last thyroid test was in the normal range. We're going to retest in a month or two just in case. No door on the kitchen. It has a wide doorway which is what we had the gate set up in. He's at daycare today so I regret to inform you that there will be no hilarious pictures tonight. |
HeatherRWM wrote: He's at daycare today so I regret to inform you that there will be no hilarious pictures tonight. When you get home, just leave for 10 minutes Then Ron can have his pictures |
QuailTrail wrote: Btw, I know that Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer is looking for cases for the upcoming season. You might want to consider that too. I think the dog whisperer would have met his match with this one. If he had any sense he wouldn't touch the problem with a ten foot pole. It could ruin his reputation in a heart beat BTW, a friend set her foster dog up. He was an incredibly talented counter surfer. She set up a web cam because she figured out that he had learned that when she was on the computer he could sneak off and do his little thing. Little did he know she could watch his every move. She sat down at the computer, he confirmed her whereabouts and snuck off to check out the kitchen. Just as he stood up to get whatever she had left out on the counter for temptation her voice boomed at him to leave it from the other room. Somehow I doubt he was miraculously cured, but she says he never seemed to feel real confident that she couldn't see him after that and she never had another problem at least. Much simpler problem than what you're facing though. Just when I thought it was safe to get out of the kitchen so to speak at my house, Sybil behaving and all that, my rescue dog has stepped up her countersurfing efforts big time. I'm obviously out of training because THREE TIMES this weekend I let her get away with it and I should have known better. She raided my training bag twice. She can even open zippers now. She'll never rival Rudy, but she is learning. The first time I was upstairs on my computer, I heard a bit of commotion and a growl - my dogs don't growl at each other, with the exception of Dazz, who will get into it with other dogs, so that should have been my first clue that Dazz had swiped something and was telling the others to back off but NOOO. Sybil, who had been laying at my feet, on the other hand, got up and padded downstairs. I was on the phone when she walked back into the room carrying a bag of cough drops Dazz had swiped. She walked over, sat down and offered it to me. I almost fell off my chair. Praised her through the roof, of course. The next time was the next night when I had baked a pizza. Half of it was still on top of the stove. Until Dazz snatched it and ran. She can jump the 32" gate between the den and the rest of the house. It was a good plan and I would have loved to have seen her jump it with half a pizza in her mouth. Unfortunately my other dogs tattled on her. She was not pleased when I jumped over the gate, snatched what was left of the pizza, threw it out and banished her to the basement. You'd think I would have learned my lesson then, but NOOOOO. Last night I come home from training, leave my training bag on the counter, zipped, so safe, I thought. Wrong. By the time I got out of the bathroom I found the sad and shredded bags that used to contain various types of training treats, as well as the bag of cough drops, plus a plastic container that holds little rubber bands for their hair (at least she figured out those were inedible) strewn around the den. She and I will be having words. I crate her when I'm gone so she has to get it while the gettin's good, and is much more concerned that the other dogs will take her share than getting caught by me. I don't know about a web cam, but in her case I think I'm going to set something REALLY tempting out there tied to a long string of every pot and pan I own and hope she scares herself into next week trying to make off with it. Kristine |
| I once saw on Animal Planets - Its me or the Dog- a lab (those who own labs know how much food is the main part of their life) he would get in trash, take food right off their plates, off the table, counter.... Anyway, the trainer came in and had this device thats kinda like those air fresheners, when you walk by a sensor picks you up and shoots a scent out. Well this would shoot a blast of air out and make a loud noise. She put one attached to the trash can and anytime the dog walked by it, it would shoot the air and make the noise. He got to the point where he wouldnt go anywhere near the trash can. Also on another show, the couple had a really small kitchen. Again a lab after food. They put the device by the only entry way into the kitchen. It stopped the dog from even going in. Anyway, doing a search I found a site that has these devices. www.csnstores.com Ive never tried them but they seem to work. Might be worth looking at. Good luck. |
| If you go to that website in search bar put in CTH1032 and it will bring that product up. Its called mini scare crow automatic Pet deterrent. Made by Contech. It has a cat on the picture but it works for dogs as well. Might be worth a shot... |
HeatherRWM wrote: . He's at daycare today so I regret to inform you that there will be no hilarious pictures tonight.: Although I feel your pain.... well not really, but I'm trying.....I/we just can't help laughing my/our head off ever single time I/we see him posing by the destruction. Thank Dog that you have him, cause I'm sure a weaker person, or one with no sense of humor would of taken him for a one way - long drive in the country by now. Rudie.. I love you. |
Mad Dog wrote: QuailTrail wrote: Btw, I know that Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer is looking for cases for the upcoming season. You might want to consider that too. I think the dog whisperer would have met his match with this one. If he had any sense he wouldn't touch the problem with a ten foot pole. It could ruin his reputation in a heart beat Kristine I agree what a way to ruin a reputation with Rudie as the "Guinea Pig"!!!!! Go Rudie |
Dudster wrote: Thank Dog that you have him, cause I'm sure a weaker person, or one with no sense of humor would of taken him for a one way - long drive in the country by now. Rudie.. I love you. Oh trust me, we've had him all packed up to go to a "farm" many times. But then he rubs his giant head on me to tell me he loves me and I cave and give him a bite of my sandwich. Sigh. I have to say I feel bad for my husband. I've had a crazy dog before (cough cough Walter cough cough), so I know what it's like to go through this. Dave's dog Marley on the other hand is a perfect absolute angel and Rudie is a huge culture shock! |
| aww- at least he knows how to make a good sandwich;) what a funny and difficult cookie monster! |
| Curious was rudy found starving before being rescued? My mom's aussie had this behavior of extreme countersurfing and it was because as a stray he went from garbage to garbage scoring for food. Then he got too fat and couldnt get on the counter anymore... when he lost weight, I think he somehow forgot that he was thin again. The behavior eventually stopped. When he passed - my parents still had the habit of "riley-proofing" the house. If rudie was a human in his life- he'd beat that guy on man vs food. off the point- I was looking for a pet gate for my friend's rottie and saw this --- I think Rudie would have been a better model. http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... EgQ8gIwBA# |
Today we put up the gate, put the covers on the oven knobs, put the trash away, and put the dishes in the dishwasher. I also taped the fridge shut. This is what he did: |
  That is not where we left the fridge, in case you were wondering. Now it's clearly a safety issue, what if the fridge fell on him or Marley? Yikes. Back to daycare tomorrow until I find a better solution. |
| Okay...wow If only we could harness his power for good instead of evil |
| Holy cow! I told you Rudy was a tank! Um, I hate to say it, but maybe you should try a crate? And I guess it would go without saying, it'd have to be a strong one! |
| OH MY!!! Now this is no longer funny because just like you said...its a safety issue now. How is it possible for him to move the fridge so far out??!!! I don't think I can do it by myself. It is probably already hard wired in his little brain that the whole kitchen area is for him to explore. It is no longer about temptation. It has become a habit Luckily you have a good daycare he can go to for now. |
| I'm looking into various kennel options right now. Wire kennels, and probably airport kennels just aren't going to do it. He will hurt himself on the wire kennel, and probably bust out of both. Any ideas for an alternative? |
| I hate to say it, but it has come up in other threads. Is there some sort of anti-anxiety med or a sedative? It would be my last resort, but as you have pointed out the safety of Rudy and Marley has been compromised. Maybe in concert with a crate? |
| Do you turn on a television or radio and then sneak out of the house? Train him to expect you back unexpectedly by going in and coming right back in? Take him to work everyday? Is he destructive waiting in the car? Place him on a farm? Give him a job? Put up a webcam so you (WE!) can watch this going on?  |
| I called the trainer my rescue works with. It's funny because I'm so used to aggression being the reason to call a trainer, I kind of forgot that was an option here. Right now I'm considering: -scat mats -finding a heavy duty gate and confining him to a spare bedroom (that will take a lot of cleaning out..) -trying an airport crate with the help of the trainer -sending him to daycare everyday -returning him to Nancy and Nita I have to figure out the webcam, we've been meaning to do it for a while, but part of me just doesn't want to know. Also, I'm making a coffee table book of all the pictures (oh yes there are many more than what you've seen..) to fund all the daycare, dog proofing items and training. |
| put the webcan high so he will not eat it |
| One of my FB friends has 2 pitties (he has a pit and other breed rescue) who have destroyed every crate and his entire house. They have separation anxiety, and one is also deathly afraid of thunder (and lives in Florida! ). As a last ditch effort, he had a guy weld him strong crates out of rebar. I've seem pictures, they are great. They hold his dogs, and the dogs LIKE the crates. I think they actually came from Illinois too! The shipping cost him a TON of money, but they have been a salvation. Want me to check into more info?? |
| Yes please Dawn!! |
HeatherRWM wrote: Yes please Dawn!! OK, I'll check with him later tonight. I have a a friend coming over this afternoon, then a therapy dog visit with Chewie. |
| http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kennel/Cages-Crates/Cages-Crates/ProSelect-Empire-Cages/pc/194/c/310/sc/502/45512.uts Or you could just feed him until he is not food seeking. Then work on the weight after the behavior has ceased. |
| ^^ That crate looks like a real good idea. Have you tried going with a low calorie kibble and some cooked vegetables so he can eat more at each meal? Would he eat a Kong or food toys? If not, could you stuff ALL of his meal into several kongs, leave them in the crate with him so he'd have to work for his meal? I just wonder if it might expend some of that energy and satisfy his need to scavenge for his food. Not a good idea if might eat these food toys though. |
| More food is something that we talked about today. Right now I give him a pretty good amount of raw veggies as treats (he does sit, down and stay for each treat) everyday. He also gets a frozen peanut butter kong most mornings. I actually experimented to see if that made a difference in whether he is destructive in the kitchen and it doesn't seem to have any effect. I have to admit I am really, really stressed out about this. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. I am hoping to connect with a trainer tomorrow and start with whatever we need to do on Saturday. |
| Is he able to wait in the car? Is he happy in there? |
| Heather - I "talked" via FB with Jay (who has the crates), and he says they are working well. The only thing he would improve on them is to have a solid side part way up - as the dog toys, etc go out the sides. The maker is Colin Arneson, and he and his wife are in Rockford, Il. I am FB friending them (at Jay's request) to get more info. Here are a couple pictures: without dogs-  and with dogs -  Thy were expensive - I think over $300 each, and they are heavy - 175# each. Jay said freight to Florida was a LOT. I think he did a chip-in fundraiser to offset some of the cost. (These are foster dogs doing the damage - long term fosters, d/t their issues!) I will get more info....awaiting a reply from Colin. |
| Those look tough! We had some pitbull fosters that tore through wire crates too, so I feel his pain! I tried googling the company and didn't get anything, if you can find out if there's a website that would be great! Thank you so much for the help. |
| Those look very sturdy!! |
| Heather - I am sending you a PM with Colin's contact info about the crates. |
| Those crates look perfect. I would love to see The Dog Whisperer have his way with Rudy. Thoughts on crates in my opinion. At first it may seem cruel to put a dog in a crate that has had free reign, and we all know when there safety is a concern it is a must. However many times these dogs become very stressed upon being left alone and a secure place that is their very own can become very comforting to them. It may take a week or two but once it becomes habit they seem to love their crates. At least that is my experience. Good luck with the sweet little  |
| Heather, if you could find a good metal shop or welder in your area they could easily make this crate for you. It looks like re-bar ( sp ) to me. It's usually used to re-enforce concrete. |
| Just a little update... We have been feeding frozen kongs and out of the kong wobbler every morning. I also have been using the Paws Away mat that sends a static shock when you stand on it in front of the refrigerator, and taping the fridge shut for some added security. We have had no problems other than Rudie opening the cabinet under the sink, about every other day or so, and taking all the bags we keep in there out. I'm hoping this is the fix we need for the remainder of our time in this apartment. Ru seems very happy with the fact that he gets to eat more (veggies), so it's a win win. |
| Glad it's all working out. We had good success with scatmats and stuffed food toys too. |
| That's great news!! I've been wondering how its going. |
| Glad it's going well, and hope you get to move soon |
| Good! |
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