being a little brat!!! all messy!!

[mellie13]

Hello

Jiezel is lil more that 13 months now.... and as ive always learn sooo much here im back again...

Jiezel used to be in the yard running here and there, i want to specify that there is no way for him to be bored he has plenty of toys there. But since 1 month he has started tearing the water hose as soon as he gets a chance.... Ive stayed hidden for a while to try to redirect this.. ( in my presence he will NEVER do such things)...... but as soon as im off he will start tearing the mop which normally is in a place he cannot reach but he will make surprising jumps to get it and run with it all around.... he really is dong that very very often now, and as soon as he is free in the yard, he doesnt lack exercise... we have an hour play everyday after my work and he is always snoring after that, we go to school each and every saturday and spend 2 hours playing/ doing obedience and agility.

my trainer says he is like an adolescent making a crise, and that i must keep on redirecting he will change with time.... is it the problem? special age?

because apart that Jiezel is a really nice dog he has just suddenly startes to be a really messy thing!!!

[seoultrader]

Lol, your do makes a mess and then gets a mop???

You got a genius there! I see TV commercials in your future^^^^

[webangel2b]

Yes I think he's showing his age as well. If it were my dog and doing such things, the first thing I would do is more activities with you.

How about a good 45 minute walk in the neighborhood? It's amazing how mentally stimulating (not just physical) that is. I say mental because he seems to need more of that specifically - he's getting at things you don't think he can. Challenge his mind in other directions. As my BF says, dogs love to be smart.

[poohbearsmom]

Toys laying around a yard does not a fun filled day make. Your dog is bored, and his destruction is telling you that. A dog is ONLY trained when his master is present, and able to redirect behavior.

We cannot expect a dog to reason, "Those water pipes are going to be mighty expensive to repair, I better not maul them!"

Mrpooh is an HVAC man. He visits a house regularly that has 3 boxers who are "outside" dogs... there are 3 of these dogs to keep themselves "entertained" (LOL)... It tends to get pretty hot here in North Florida, and these dogs have figured out a way to make themselves a bit more comfortable in the heat and humidity... they crawl under the house and tear apart the A/C duct work and lay under the nice cool air that it provides.
They don't care about the repair expense, and they certainly don't care about their owner's electric bill... what they do care about is immediate satisfaction, which they get, because they are apparently smarter than their owner, and despite Mrpooh telling the man the dogs need proper confinement, he gets to leave a hefty bill for the man several times each summer.

Bottom line, toys only have value if they are interesting. Dogs normally only play when we are present to give them an audience or we are involved in the play.

It would probably do you well to revisit your thinking about dog management, and to take measures to ensure that your belongings are safe, and your dog is safe from harming himself (are there gas lines or electrical conduit near the water lines?).

Food for thought.....

[Nishasmom]

Try giving him only one or two toys at a time. Each day give him a "new" toy; having everything out all at once is no fun. But Getting a different toy every 3 days or so can re-peak their interest.

I agree with poohbearmom; he is bored. Maybe you can give him some kongs or bones or something.

Does he get adequate exercise every day? (at least 1 hr?).

[mellie13]

poohbearsmom: nothing dangerous like gas lines, electrical or water pipes... only the water hose ( if he could water the flowers...) but i agree with you he is bored.. though im surprised i thought our everyday 1 hour walk and play in the park was enough since all he does after that is snore... but i may reconsider and increase ... im open to all advices and opinions, thank you.

He loves to spend time with people... probably he wants more play more attention more fun.. anyway ill try and we will see.... i shall have him differents toys to see the difference and i hope the destruction will stop.

Thanks to all
Jiezel and Mellie

[SABELLESMOM]

He's also a "teenager" now. They can find trouble anywhere. Redirection when you are home works, but for now, only when you're actually home. He'll learn eventually, I hope. Otherwise, remove or cover the items you don't want him to play with. If you're a genius you could build a little "permanent (fence-like, with a top) structure" with the 4 corner posts cemented into the ground over your hose. Move the mop.

You can also opt for more diversity in play items for outside. Like a good sized fresh branch you've trimmed from a tree. They love dragging things. Sometimes they carry opposite ends of the branch and run in tandem!

My girls have rearranged my wood pile a few times. I don't care it's just fun and I can put it back. In the mean time they have fun dragging heavy logs about.

Large Jolly balls with ropes thru them, oversized tennis balls...tho be careful. Some are not well made and they get tear the fuzzy covering off. No covering and too large to chew? Great! Mine like to drag large baby bugy tires about. Remove the tire from the metal, and voila! A new and interesting, non-steel belted toy. I see ours flung into the air, carried, tugged and worn as a necklace...! So I sawed thru it once to prevent accidental choking.

I have a kiddie pool filled. I purchased a floating kong on a rope. They love it! I've had the same pool for years. Guess they learn not to destroy things they love. The pool is not out daily. It makes it more exciting that way.

I've also used a piece of leftover 2-3' length of 2" PVC pipe with a few rocks inside and glued on end caps. It makes noise, and the rocks move from end to end shifting the weight. Trade a few toys out every now and then. 2-3 toys at a time for a few days. When he seems bored, put them away and bring out something else for a while.

Take some classes that make him think! Clicker agility works great. They take such pride in knowing how smart they are, when they figure out what is wanted. They will begin to offer one behavior after another until they hit on the right one. After that they get quicker!

[debbiej]

agree with everyone else, he is bored. but just reading your post, one thought pops into mind. the mop and the hose are far more entertaining to him than his toys. If he has to stimulate his own mind, he is going to choose the more challenging and entertaining things to do....

[mellie13]

Hello all,

i agree with all of you... and ive sincerely tried different toys, different play, differents places for our walk.... and its really working.... he really enjoys it as much as i do... and its already working at home.... ohhh far to be an angel (but thats not what im looking for)


i read a lot and knew how smart they are but only in everyday life with them im so surprise to see that in practice... how they choose to show you they are bored or wants your attention.... i think ill never stop learning with them.


its really lot of efforts to take the time, have patience, try to understand their language...redirecting most of the time, but the results bring sooo much happiness in our life..

Thank You all for helping me make my dog happy.
Sincerely
Mellie

Kisses from from Jiezel

[JaniceH]

As he seems to like rubber (LOL) then why not see if you can get him an old car tyre.....just the rubber bit of course.