I had forgotten that part Jules, thanks, I did remember it (above) but you were already typing, its an important part of the whole learning curve completely agree.... but utterly 'policed' initally.
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
We crated Ruby til she was just over 1. We put a stair gate on the kitchen door so allowed her that space when we were at home and when we went out she was crated. The only damage she ever caused was to some handles on a wicker shoe box. She never set foot on the sofas. Over time we slowly allowed her access to the rest of the downstairs of the house. Since being allowed there she has never touched anything she shouldn't. There is no gate at the bottom of the stairs but after being told off once for going upstairs she has never gone up again!
Second time around, I think I am being less strict about things and that is why Bella has got hold of things she shouldn't But it is my fault, not hers. When she eats the toy left on the floor because I have let her come out of the kitchen it is MY fault because I haven't kept her in the safe room away from these hazards.
Reading this post has made me realise I shouldn't expect to be able to trust her yet, as she is only just 6 months old!!!
But also agree with Jules - we let Bella into the sitting room in the evening where there are a few tempting things but she has to learn that she stays on her bed and plays with HER toys!!
Most definitely. It's no good thinking, well I'm at home now, so the pup can come out of it's room, while I'm taking a shower, feeding the baby, chatting on the phone, etc, etc, as the pup will be having a whale of a time doing all the things you don't want it to be doing, while you're not looking. I learnt that one the hard way with my first dog, who ate most of my house, while I was at home and distracted with two very young children, for the first two years (I was SUCH a slow learner, but I put that down to lack of sleep ).
Pups are like toddlers, they need watching ALL the time, unless of course they are asleep or shut in their safe place and that's the bit I think a lot of people either don't realise or find very hard to follow through with, every day for a good few months.
He loves his safe space, Luna loves his safe space and I love his safe space! When he is out of his safe space he either has me watching over him or Luna shaking her head at him while coming to find me! The sock, the hair scrunchies, the loo roll, the glasses, the key ring, the food stolen, the...., the.... which have been eaten, destroyed or damaged have been through my not shutting the kitchen door, my not taking him with me to the loo or done while he was in the same room but I had my focus elsewhere!
He is learning though and can now retrieve socks, gloves, loo rolls rather than eat them and can leave things alone when told! Some things he has trained me to keep out of reach - glasses, camera,.... but other things he has learnt to leave alone - remotes, books, phones,....
Luna from a pup had me 24hrs and learnt what was allowed and what wasn't. The chilli con carne destined for the freezer once cool was too good to be true though!!!
Just yesterday he ate the new bed I put in his crate cos he seemed to have stopped bed chewing... I think the old one got boring! He now only has the new bed when I'm here.
He's a cheeky little bugger and attention seeks to the extent that when I'm with him here doing work etc he will present me (yes Di he does give it to me again now!!) with items of clothing from the pile on my floor. He won't touch them if I'm sat cuddling him watching tv etc only when he thinks it's time we did something exciting - but I'm trying to get through to him it's not playtime all the time!
He has got very chewy again this past week or so though, he's just coming up to 12 months but I was wondering if perhaps his teeth were moving or something again?? I probably should know this but yeh I don't lol.
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But it is my fault, not hers. When she eats the toy left on the floor because I have let her come out of the kitchen it is MY fault because I haven't kept her in the safe room away from these hazards.
).
When he is out of his safe space he either has me watching over him or Luna shaking her head at him while coming to find me! The sock, the hair scrunchies, the loo roll, the glasses, the key ring, the food stolen, the...., the.... which have been eaten, destroyed or damaged have been through my not shutting the kitchen door, my not taking him with me to the loo or done while he was in the same room but I had my focus elsewhere!
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