A single obsession

Skribbles · 01-19-2012, 02:09 PM

So Chloe (16 weeks) has an infuriating obsession with one of our plants in the house. Its a rather large plant with a big planter that she LOVES to dig into. The end result is dirt everywhere. She knows the behavior is wrong yet continues to do it. Last night for example, while we're eating dinner downstairs she runs upstairs and gets into the plant. We go up when we're finished to find her hiding underneath a bed and not coming out... we hadn't even seen the plant yet but knew that she had been into it.

Our corrections is to take her over to the plant and tell her "No!" and "Bad Girl". Again, she knows it is wrong but continues to do it.

Is there something else we can/should be doing?

mwiacek10 · 01-19-2012, 02:27 PM

I put tin foil on the dirt to keep the cat out of it, maybe that will work with the dog too?

iBaman · 01-22-2012, 01:53 PM

If she's already done it and you didn't catch her in the act, don't punish. It's not going to do any good. Block off that area to her when you can't watch her, or move the plant to somewhere she can't get it.

onyx'girl · 01-22-2012, 01:56 PM

Rocks on top of the soil will also help from the digging. I use to put pine cones in my planters so my kittens wouldn't get in and dig....but puppies love pinecones, rocks may be better! You can buy polished river rock at any craft store.

iBaman · 01-22-2012, 01:59 PM

Ooo, good idea, Jane!! Make sure the rocks are big enough that she can't swallow them, though...I don't know if your pup is like Shel, but he ate rocks when he was younger >.>

Twyla · 01-22-2012, 03:40 PM

Woolf hasn't ate a rock in a while, that isn't saying he wouldn't now

Used to, if anything fit in his mouth, there was a good chance he would eat it.

I would just block the area off until the pup is a bit older or you are able to be right there with him.

Courtney · 01-22-2012, 05:26 PM

Maybe not a popular answer but I would just move the plant?

Skribbles · 01-23-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtney

Maybe not a popular answer but I would just move the plant?

I've thought of it but it is huge and needs plenty of light so there is only one spot for it.

I'll try the tinfoil suggestion. If I put rocks in there they'd just end up scattered across the floor in piles of dirt

msvette2u · 01-23-2012, 12:21 PM

Digging is fun and self-rewarding.
Crate the dog when not supervised and keep her away from it when you're home. Gate it off, or go ahead and move it.
Place it on those casters so you can wheel it around the house perhaps.

01-19-2012, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Skribbles Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 94	A single obsession So Chloe (16 weeks) has an infuriating obsession with one of our plants in the house. Its a rather large plant with a big planter that she LOVES to dig into. The end result is dirt everywhere. She knows the behavior is wrong yet continues to do it. Last night for example, while we're eating dinner downstairs she runs upstairs and gets into the plant. We go up when we're finished to find her hiding underneath a bed and not coming out... we hadn't even seen the plant yet but knew that she had been into it. Our corrections is to take her over to the plant and tell her "No!" and "Bad Girl". Again, she knows it is wrong but continues to do it. Is there something else we can/should be doing?

01-19-2012, 02:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
mwiacek10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Grosse Ile, MI Posts: 281	I put tin foil on the dirt to keep the cat out of it, maybe that will work with the dog too? __________________ Michele Gunny Sgt von Wind Dancer CGC (12/23/09) Lana - Siamese (12/26/06) Twister - TB Mare (4/14/06)

01-22-2012, 01:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	Rocks on top of the soil will also help from the digging. I use to put pine cones in my planters so my kittens wouldn't get in and dig....but puppies love pinecones, rocks may be better! You can buy polished river rock at any craft store. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-23-2012, 12:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,530	Digging is fun and self-rewarding. Crate the dog when not supervised and keep her away from it when you're home. Gate it off, or go ahead and move it. Place it on those casters so you can wheel it around the house perhaps. __________________ Ruger v. Sunnyside Stray 4-11-11

01-22-2012, 01:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
iBaman Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cedar City, UT Posts: 809	If she's already done it and you didn't catch her in the act, don't punish. It's not going to do any good. Block off that area to her when you can't watch her, or move the plant to somewhere she can't get it.

01-22-2012, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
iBaman Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cedar City, UT Posts: 809	Ooo, good idea, Jane!! Make sure the rocks are big enough that she can't swallow them, though...I don't know if your pup is like Shel, but he ate rocks when he was younger >.>

01-22-2012, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twyla Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 498	Woolf hasn't ate a rock in a while, that isn't saying he wouldn't now Used to, if anything fit in his mouth, there was a good chance he would eat it. I would just block the area off until the pup is a bit older or you are able to be right there with him.

01-22-2012, 05:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Courtney Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,922	Maybe not a popular answer but I would just move the plant?

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