Yet another dog problem...

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive October 2004: Yet another dog problem...

OK, my dog and I are at war!!! He is about 4.5 months old, or so, and we have him hose broken. He chews stuff and I expect this, since he is teething. I was upset when he chewed the one of the kids' Leap Pads, but I got over it. However, he really isn't chewing on stuff anymore, he is EATING my panties. He's eaten at least 10 pairs of Victoria's Secret panties, and a few socks. WHOLE!! Most of them are brand new, I have to keep buying more because he eats them all. He has chew toys, and I can't figure out how he's getting my underwear. I keep all the laundry out of reach, but somehow he gets them. When I say eating, I don't mean he's chewing on them, he swallows them whole. The final straw was him throwing up ANOTHER pair of BRAND NEW ones last night. My front lawn looks like a panty raid, from him passing them. I kicked him out of the house last night, and told Nate he has to get rid of the dog, I'm sick of it. Any suggestions?? I'm not sure any suggestions will really help at this point, but I' figured I'd give it a try. Also, since I won't let him back in the house, if we keep him, he'll be an outside dog. It gets pretty cold here later in the year, so how do I protect him from the cold? TIA!!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 02:39 pm:

How do I say this tactfully? Just like children, anything you don't want the dog to get into you put away, in drawers, behind doors. And your kids learn to pick things up and put them out of the dog's reach. And consult your vet about how to break the dog of chewing.

As for how you keep him warm in the winter, I know there are ways to do it - but, how do you keep your neighbors from calling the SPCA because they think having the dog outside all the time is cruel.

Just because he is teething doesn't mean you have to "expect" him to chew on things. When he heads for something he shouldn't have you take it away from him, firmly, and offer the substitute of something he is allowed to chew on.

By Kellyj on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 02:42 pm:

We had a dog when I was a kid who ate socks whole. He eventually grew out of it. We had another dog who would go and steal underwear out of the laundry and chew them up. It all passed after the puppy stage was over. We had to make sure that everything was put away and dirty clothes were in hampers with covers. Maybe close the laundry room door too. They all grew out of it.
Right now I have a kitten who has a love for socks. She steals them from everywhere. I put clothes out for dd the night before and even if I hide the socks underneath everything else, sure enough in the morning they are somewhere else in the house. This is among many annoying quirks that she has. I keep telling myself that she's just a kitten and it will pass.
If you keep the dog outside be sure to get him a dog house. If you can put the house where it is protected from the wind.

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 02:55 pm:

Thanks Ginny and Kelly! The thing is, even though I put everything out of his reach, I have a mischievous kitten who helps him unknowingly. See, she likes hair ties. No big deal, she'll steal one off the counter and be entertained. Well she'll also jump on dressers and stuff, generally knocking down everything in her path. As for the panties, I really don't know how he's still getting them. I wash our clothes every day, so laundry is either behind the master bathroom door, in the wash, or out on the line. It's entirely possible the kids are letting him into places, or more likely Nate isn't paying attention when the dog is following him around. We take things away, or scold him when he goes for something, but for some reason he has mastered the "panty grab". When I first noticed my things missing, I caught him snatching up a pair, and if it weren't for the small piece hanging out of his mouth as he walked away I wouldn't have noticed. He grabs them in one bite, and runs. Leaving him outside, I'm certainly not worried about my neighbors, I like in the country, no one can see on my property except the people directly next door, and they have a menagerie of animals running around. (Don't get me started on the rooster!!) I guess I should add that this puppy has been considerable more difficult than any other pup I've had. This may just make me so upset because I have had nothing but problems with him, and he's a slow learner!! But, aside from hanging a basket from the ceiling for my panties and socks, I don't know what to do!!

By Truestori on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 03:00 pm:

Crystal,

This is so funny. My moms dog did the same thing and barfed up a pair of her panties in front of company..LOL

Truthfully,
My dogs thing is peoples shoe's and I still yell and swear at him!

Maybe buy all thongs so they are more easily digestable!!!! LOL
(o.k. I am having wayyy to much fun with this post)

By Kaye on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 03:58 pm:

Crystal, what type of dog? In Texas it just isn't abnormal to have an outside dog. Really you don't have to worry about the cold, it is the heat that is a bigger problem here. What you do to help with the temperatures is either let them in to sleep or provide a nice dog house for them. As for your panties, I had a dog who did that too, she did prefer ones that had been worn though I got a hamper with a heavy or tight fitting lid and made sure all clean ones were ina drawer. Just remember for the first year dogs are like babies, this too shall pass!

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 04:08 pm:

LOL@ Stori!!! They ARE all thongs, thus the reason he can get the whole thing in his mouth in a flash!! He doesn't have to barf them up in front of company, he poops them in the yard for EVERYONE to see. There is pink poop in my yard, how embarassing!! ROFL!!! Kaye, you're in South TX right? It gets pretty bitter here, like mid-30s I guess. I think we'll (and by we I mean Nate!!) build him a nice house and he can stay his butt outside! I'm also going to get a tall hamper, and hope that solves it!! Thanks!!

By Kaye on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 04:16 pm:

What type of dog? yes I am in houston, it is way too warm here. But i spent my time in killeen as a kids, we always had an outside dog. Even in ohio we had an outside dog, but it depends on the breed. Some dogs are just bred to be okay that way, others are not.

By Tink on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 04:42 pm:

Crystal, I think you should make Peanut an outside dog and Nate an outside fiance until your panties stop missing! Seriously, I know this is driving you nuts and I really have no suggestions beyond wearing Wally World undies until he gets past this stage (Peanut, not Nate!) I think a decent doghouse with a thick old quilt is probably enough shelter. Other than the occassional snow, our climates sound pretty similar and outside dogs are very common.

By Tink on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 04:47 pm:

I just thought of something else...what about keeping all of your panties in one of those zip-up mesh lingerie bags? You could even get two, one for dirty that is kept in the hamper or laundry room and one for clean in your panty drawer. That would be large enough that he wouldn't be able to eat it whole and you would probably see her with it before she chewed it to pieces. They are super-cheap and you can probably find them at Target or Wal-Mart in the laundry area or at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

By Bea on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 04:58 pm:

Do you have a garage? Maybe a dog door into the garage would give him a warmer place to sleep. We had a ferret with a sock fetish, but he was caged most of the time.

By Jewlz on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 05:56 pm:

ok i know i cant be the only one thinking this ... the solution is edible panties till he grows out of this phase .. we have a dog that duz this too if we forget to keep them up ... sighs sometimes dogs are pain in the butt but wouldnt trade mine for nothng

By Tink on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 07:30 pm:

I have to admit I didn't think of the edible panties but I'm ROFLMBO at the idea!

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 10:00 pm:

ROFLMBO!!! At least I can see the humor in this through you guys! Kaye, he's a pit bull, there are other pits outside here. I'm sure he would be fine, I've just never been an "outside" pet person. But he is officially banned from my house. We don't have a garage, so that's out, but a dog house will be in the works.

By Melana on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 08:17 am:

Ok, here's the thing about dogs and panties, especially MALE dogs, you ever notice that most dogs will sniff between your legs? They are CRAZY about that smell! So a lot of dogs have a thing for women's dirty undies, it's normal, and some grow out of it, some don't, you just have to put them where he can't get them anymore. Have you started obedience school with him yet? That will help a lot with every thing, pit bulls tend to be a little stubborn and need the formal training, I think you can get evening classes at pets mart for like $50. Good luck on this!

By Hdelfuego on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 08:53 am:

I live in Louisiana. I just put my 2 mini daschunds outside at the beginning of summer bc I didn't want them jumping and scratching Emma. Daschunds are supposed to be really cold natured so we got a dogloo from petsmart and either put hay or an old blanket in it. Also, when it gets around 40F or below, I am going to put them in the landry room this winter ( here that should probably just be during the day). Given your dog's habit though, you might want to find another place to put him at night! LOL Good luck. I know it can be aggravating. When my dogs were inside (for 2 years), they had a paper fettish. Anything paper... toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, kleenex. They would go in the garbage and pull stuff out and shred it everywhere. Trust me, I am so much happier now that my dogs are outside. I do miss playing with them inside every now and then, but the house is so much cleaner and... smells better.

By Conni on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 09:48 am:

We have 2 labs outside. They have more fur then your dog I am sure. But they do fine in the winter. They have an Igloo doghouse with a blanket inside. They curl up together on cold days. When it is really cold-- we do let them in the garage and alot of times in the house too sleep in front of the fire. lol They are rotten. We have a large fenced yard too. If you dont have a fence you can easily build a chain link dog run. You'll just need to keep it cleaned up for him (scoop the poop)...

You can also put a light in the doghouse for warmth and wood chips.

Just remember when it is *extremely* cold he'll need to come in!!!-- just put him in a large crate or put a baby gate up and confine in to one area if you dont want him running around your home.

Good luck!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 11:34 am:

My next door neighbor's labrador retriever is outside 24/7, even when it's been really cold. A few blocks away, there is a family with a chocolate lab and a German Shepherd who are outside 24/7, too. They seem to survive WI winters.

By Shellyg on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 12:03 pm:

Pit Bull's are so eager to please by nature. Sounds like your pup is trying to get your attention. Can you put up a baby gate to the areas you do not want him in? If you leave your guy outside you will create yet another problem, worse him being a pit. By nature they need to be with and guard their "pack" If you leave him outside away from the family you can create more problems like digging, fence aggression, general destruction, etc. Pits are so smart, kind, and loving. One of my favorite breeds. They get such a bad rap. Now, Chihuahua's that is the breed you need to look out for!

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 12:39 pm:

LOL@ Shelly... I don't have anything against pits, obviously, but Peanut is not as smart as my other pit bull. I know it's common for dogs to sniff at women, especially during their cycles, but this dog will eat clean panties, dirty panties, whatever he can grab. We're still tossing around solutions, trying to find one that works for us. Thanks for all the advice and laughs!!!

By Truestori on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 04:53 pm:

Shelly is so right in saying that Pit's are family dogs and need to be indoors. They have a tremendous need to chew in their puppy stage and banning him from the house will make him worse. This allows the puppy to do as he pleases out doors thus making him harder to discipline while inside. How about investing in a indoor kennel? Only let him out when he is under direct supervision. I use to think kennels were inhumane until I realized that it makes for a much better behaved animal. Goodluck..

By Pamt on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 05:03 pm:

I agree with Stori and would suggest crate training. Dogs are by nature pack animals and I think putting them outside alone, esp. if there is only one dog and you don't live on a farm or something, is cruel. A dog wants to be with his pack and in the case of an only dog, that means his humans. I would look at putting your undies under lock and key if necessary (or tightly close the door and put kid-proof door knob thingies on them) and begin crate training. Puppies are a LOT of work and responsibility! That's why we are looking at a 2 y/o housebroken dog

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 05:57 pm:

Jasmine loves her crate and often lies down in there of her own choice. She is always crated when we leave the house, but otherwise, has the run of the house. When we were still working on housebreaking, the crate was nice and she was shut in there at night and when I couldn't be watching her.

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 08:43 pm:

He is crate trained, that stopped *most* of our issues. We just got a hamper that hangs in the bathroom, and the dog is sitting by my feet right now. Thanks for the advice everyone!! I'm glad to know it's not good to keep pits outside all the time!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 09:17 pm:

I haven't read every response here, but I just wanted to say my dog likes panties and manties too! If there's laundry on the floor, she is sure to find them. Moral of the story - keep the panties and manties out of reach!

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:02 am:

Crys, what a problem! LOL Glad you found a hanging hamper - hopefully that works. I agree with everyone else as far as trying your best to keep him indoors. It seems almost pointless to have a pet if he is kept outdoors. Many hugs and best of wishes in getting your pup settled in.

By Shellyg on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:39 pm:

Being a Pit Bull owner this is a good video to watch and learn. WARNING It is a bit graphic do not watch it with the kids around. Very educational! http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

By Missmudd on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:47 pm:

We had a dog w/ an underwear fetish, I think that I heard that is makes them feel close to you. So actually it may be that the dog needs more contact w/ you (especially since he is stealing your undies and not your kids and hubby) You may want to try sticking it's toys in your pocket for a while before giving it to him, that way when he steals your undies, get them back and give him the toy that is in your pocket that smells like you.