Can you help me with advice on this situation? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Heycher · 08-21-2007, 01:00 PM

Last week I had foot surgery, so have been home every day with Violet (who is now only 13 weeks old) for the past week. Prior to that, I was leaving 3 days a week for work (leaving for 10 hours), and things were fine.

Today, I had to leave for a dr. appointment and to do a couple of errands and was away from the house for 7 hours.... I came home to a wall in my kitchen that was chewed... she chewed paint off and some drywall on a patch of wall that was about 6inches x 4inches....

Currently, Violet is gated in our small kitchen when we leave, so that she has access to her potty pads, food, and toys.

My questions are:

1.) When I get home to that situation? What do I do? The act was already done... but she did act guilty. I said "what did you do" in a firm voice and then carried her over to that area and said "Violet NO". I need to know basically WHAT at that point I can do to show her that was not an OK behavior.

2.) Is there anything I can to to prevent her doing that in the future?? I can try to rig something to cover that area up? Or try the sour apple spray maybe?? There's very little exposed wall in the kitchen where she is gated (it's mostly formica type cabinets and plastic baseboard)... so it's not like there are a bunch of walls that she could potentially destruct...

Thanks so much in advance.

yorkieusa · 08-21-2007, 01:26 PM

Lots of us yorkie moms have come home or been home when we have discovered chewed walls. The best thing is to get an x-pen. Your little one will be safe and so will your house.

Amy81 · 08-21-2007, 01:29 PM

yep i have 3 different corners of my walls in my apartment that are chewed. the paint is off and he chewed down to the wood. im always home. when i look he is chewing on toys i look away for one second and BAM 3 different walls have been chewed.

good luck!

Heycher · 08-21-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Lots of us yorkie moms have come home or been home when we have discovered chewed walls. The best thing is to get an x-pen. Your little one will be safe and so will your house.

I had a feeling an x-pen might be suggested

I'm not against getting one at all, but honestly was hoping to make the kitchen setup work.... Guess not!

My only question about the x-pen, is, can I set it up on a carpeted area in my house? The only area that I have that is non-carpeted is in this kitchen / laundry room where I've currently got the little stinker set up.

I *do* want her to be safe, and do not want to crate her all day. That just seems mean to leave her that long in a crate... so looks like we'll try the x-pen thing. I wanted one anyway, for when we go to friends houses, outside, etc...

THANKS!!!

My remaining question , still, is, what do I say to Violet when I see something like this? What strategies would you guys use in this situation?

Sunnie · 08-21-2007, 02:22 PM

You can set up the xpen on carpet, tile, graSS, ANYWHERE.
For the other question, there really isn't anything you can say after the fact. If you caught her in the act, then of course you tekll her no and direct her attention elsewhgere. But after the fact, she won't know why you are upset. After all, she is so excited to see that you are home, she will be wondering why you aren't excited to see her too.

Heycher · 08-21-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnie

You can set up the xpen on carpet, tile, graSS, ANYWHERE.
For the other question, there really isn't anything you can say after the fact. If you caught her in the act, then of course you tekll her no and direct her attention elsewhgere. But after the fact, she won't know why you are upset. After all, she is so excited to see that you are home, she will be wondering why you aren't excited to see her too.

Now I feel bad that I talked sternly to her and told her "no, violet".... Well, I'll chalk it up as a learning experience I guess

She did seem like she was acting all guilty though... like she had done something she wasn't supposed to.... oh well. She seems to still really love me, so I guess we're ok

Thanks a lot!

Superstarkba · 08-21-2007, 04:42 PM

Do you have a laundry room that you could lock her up in? Thats what I did with Aubrey at the beginning.

For My Coby · 08-21-2007, 04:50 PM

Unfortunately, you can't discipline after the fact (although I'm POSITIVE my Shi Tzu feels guilty and tells me when I need to go look for something wrong!).

I know that most people here prefer the x-pen to a kennel. But all my dogs have been kenneled when we're gone. I was advised that way by my very first breeder. I believe that the dogs truly love it. My older one does have the run of the house now, but was kenneled as a pup. Usually when we get our keys or whatever, if they don't see a bag or a leash, they run into their kennels. They get a treat with every single kennel and usually a special chew toy that they don't normally get. They are never upset when we return home. And I know that they have been safe and secure the entire time. Kennels aren't for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know that they aren't cruel for the dogs.

Heycher · 08-21-2007, 05:37 PM

And I know that they have been safe and secure the entire time. Kennels aren't for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know that they aren't cruel for the dogs.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. I love the different perspectives I get on this board.

I had a couple of friends over tonight and I was sitting in the dining room which is adjacent to the kitchen where Violet's area is... and I caught her go try to take a nibble of wall like 3 times as I was sitting there, so I was able to give her a firm "NO, Violet" and direct her elsewhere.

We just returned from Pet smart and I am going to try the bitter apple spray on the wall that she is chewing... I will see if that deters her at all. If not, next we'll probably do the x-pen. My days are long that I have to leave her for, so x-pen is probably a decent solution. ThankfullY I am home from work for another several weeks from my surgery, so I do have some time to settle on a solution that will work for all of us.

For My Coby · 08-21-2007, 06:55 PM

You're right - the kennel option does depend on how long you're gone. I work close to home and am able to come home at lunch every day (or at some point during the day if I'm busy for lunch) and let them out to potty and stretch their legs. I work full time but am lucky in that way.

oopsmyhalofello · 08-21-2007, 07:04 PM

I don't have anything to offer other then what has already been said. I use a crate for when we are away, which is seldom and for night time hours. I also have a playpen set up for when I need to get something done and don't can't keep an eye on things as closely as I would like to. I really think for big blocks of time an x-pen would be so much nicer for the puppy then a crate.

Isabel · 08-21-2007, 07:57 PM

I use a baby gate on a tiled bathroom or the laundry room... so far so good... just be sure there is enough chewing toys available, and no other stuff... (my dogs will shred the pee pads, that's why I use the tiled floor...)

Hope this helps!

OH, and no tissue paper close to them, or you will find a very nice "display"

daisysis · 08-21-2007, 08:10 PM

I believe you can not punish or baby after the fact.
But maybe try this.
leave a tv of radio on... I like tv cause it is talk like someone is home with them. I like cartoon network
put some of your clothing you have worn on the floor
this seems to help my little ones
I hope this helps

08-21-2007, 01:00 PM	#1
Heycher Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 153	Can you help me with advice on this situation? Last week I had foot surgery, so have been home every day with Violet (who is now only 13 weeks old) for the past week. Prior to that, I was leaving 3 days a week for work (leaving for 10 hours), and things were fine. Today, I had to leave for a dr. appointment and to do a couple of errands and was away from the house for 7 hours.... I came home to a wall in my kitchen that was chewed... she chewed paint off and some drywall on a patch of wall that was about 6inches x 4inches.... Currently, Violet is gated in our small kitchen when we leave, so that she has access to her potty pads, food, and toys. My questions are: 1.) When I get home to that situation? What do I do? The act was already done... but she did act guilty. I said "what did you do" in a firm voice and then carried her over to that area and said "Violet NO". I need to know basically WHAT at that point I can do to show her that was not an OK behavior. 2.) Is there anything I can to to prevent her doing that in the future?? I can try to rig something to cover that area up? Or try the sour apple spray maybe?? There's very little exposed wall in the kitchen where she is gated (it's mostly formica type cabinets and plastic baseboard)... so it's not like there are a bunch of walls that she could potentially destruct... Thanks so much in advance. __________________ ~Cheryl : Mom to Violet ~and~ Theo

08-21-2007, 01:26 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Lots of us yorkie moms have come home or been home when we have discovered chewed walls. The best thing is to get an x-pen. Your little one will be safe and so will your house. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-21-2007, 02:22 PM	#5
Sunnie Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. California Posts: 4,057	You can set up the xpen on carpet, tile, graSS, ANYWHERE. For the other question, there really isn't anything you can say after the fact. If you caught her in the act, then of course you tekll her no and direct her attention elsewhgere. But after the fact, she won't know why you are upset. After all, she is so excited to see that you are home, she will be wondering why you aren't excited to see her too. __________________ Sonya, Owned by Ladybug, Tilly, Sunshine, Beamer, Rainbow, Sonny and Righteous RIP Sunnie (11/12/2003-7/31/2009)

08-21-2007, 04:50 PM	#8
For My Coby Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,139	Unfortunately, you can't discipline after the fact (although I'm POSITIVE my Shi Tzu feels guilty and tells me when I need to go look for something wrong!). I know that most people here prefer the x-pen to a kennel. But all my dogs have been kenneled when we're gone. I was advised that way by my very first breeder. I believe that the dogs truly love it. My older one does have the run of the house now, but was kenneled as a pup. Usually when we get our keys or whatever, if they don't see a bag or a leash, they run into their kennels. They get a treat with every single kennel and usually a special chew toy that they don't normally get. They are never upset when we return home. And I know that they have been safe and secure the entire time. Kennels aren't for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know that they aren't cruel for the dogs. __________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08

08-21-2007, 05:37 PM	#9
Heycher Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 153	And I know that they have been safe and secure the entire time. Kennels aren't for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know that they aren't cruel for the dogs.[/QUOTE] Thank you. I love the different perspectives I get on this board. I had a couple of friends over tonight and I was sitting in the dining room which is adjacent to the kitchen where Violet's area is... and I caught her go try to take a nibble of wall like 3 times as I was sitting there, so I was able to give her a firm "NO, Violet" and direct her elsewhere. We just returned from Pet smart and I am going to try the bitter apple spray on the wall that she is chewing... I will see if that deters her at all. If not, next we'll probably do the x-pen. My days are long that I have to leave her for, so x-pen is probably a decent solution. ThankfullY I am home from work for another several weeks from my surgery, so I do have some time to settle on a solution that will work for all of us. __________________ ~Cheryl : Mom to Violet ~and~ Theo

08-21-2007, 01:29 PM	#3
Amy81 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Palatka, Florida Posts: 6,523	yep i have 3 different corners of my walls in my apartment that are chewed. the paint is off and he chewed down to the wood. im always home. when i look he is chewing on toys i look away for one second and BAM 3 different walls have been chewed. good luck!

08-21-2007, 04:42 PM	#7
Superstarkba Aubrey's Mom Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 9,369	Do you have a laundry room that you could lock her up in? Thats what I did with Aubrey at the beginning.

08-21-2007, 06:55 PM	#10
For My Coby Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,139	You're right - the kennel option does depend on how long you're gone. I work close to home and am able to come home at lunch every day (or at some point during the day if I'm busy for lunch) and let them out to potty and stretch their legs. I work full time but am lucky in that way. __________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08

08-21-2007, 07:04 PM	#11
oopsmyhalofello Just Pawz Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Liverpool, NY Posts: 1,827	I don't have anything to offer other then what has already been said. I use a crate for when we are away, which is seldom and for night time hours. I also have a playpen set up for when I need to get something done and don't can't keep an eye on things as closely as I would like to. I really think for big blocks of time an x-pen would be so much nicer for the puppy then a crate. __________________

08-21-2007, 07:57 PM	#12
Isabel Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 1,010	I use a baby gate on a tiled bathroom or the laundry room... so far so good... just be sure there is enough chewing toys available, and no other stuff... (my dogs will shred the pee pads, that's why I use the tiled floor...) Hope this helps! OH, and no tissue paper close to them, or you will find a very nice "display" __________________ Isabel T., Don Juan and Luna's momma.

08-21-2007, 08:10 PM	#13
daisysis YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 1,074	I believe you can not punish or baby after the fact. But maybe try this. leave a tv of radio on... I like tv cause it is talk like someone is home with them. I like cartoon network put some of your clothing you have worn on the floor this seems to help my little ones I hope this helps __________________ Sissy..Lilly..Maggie..Lucy