Okay, so if you don't already know this, Mike and I rescued a dog that we named Rex.
He and I went into Petsmart to pick up cat food. While we were walking in, he pointed out the sign that said there was a rescue center there for the day.
I walked in, fell in love with Rex, and convinced Mike to let me take him home.
He was a stray dog that the rescue center found, and they think he was abused previously. My poor little guy.
He's part Chihuahua, part Tibetan Spaniel.
Rex is the greatest dog ever. There was never an issue with him going after the cat, or barking too much, or anything along those lines. He is my snuggle buddy, and will lay on the floor with me and watch Food Network all day if I'd let him.
But, there's one bad thing.
He chews books. Like, demolishes them. I've found books that were missing the back cover along with PAGES gone.
Has anyone else had this problem? Or do you have a solution? I have no idea what to do, everything we've tried hasn't worked. We can't put him in a kennel over night because he freaks out and we can't get him in there.
Let me know! Tweet me, comment, email, anything!
I'll leave you one last picture of this guy's adorable smile (:
I have a similar problem with one of my dogs, and what I do is I keep try to keep every book out of reach from him. I also always keep the door to the room where I have my bookshelves closed.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps! =)
We've tried keeping the door closed, but he scratches at it and whines since he knows he's not allowed in there. So far we've been doing good with keeping everything up off the floor, but occasionally we forget and come out with bits and pieces of book everywhere.
DeleteThanks for the advice!
It's probably anxiety causing him to chew like this. My family/friends are heavily involved with bulldog rescue, and it's not at all uncommon for the dog to require vet-prescribed prozac, xanax, or other anxiety-compulsion reductive medicine. Your best course of action may be a visit with a vet familiar with rescue dogs.
ReplyDeleteSo, I am fairly confident that his chewing is an unconscious coping method. Even though you, as his new owner, may shower him with love and gentleness, trying to reassure him that he is now in a *safe* environment - the poor baby cannot quite understand/process what is going on. The chewing is *soothing* his underlying stress.
So, not to be so long-winded here - I'm just trying to explain this to the best of my ability lol.
Therefore, I'd definitely keep my books and other similar objects well out of reach ... as any punishment/scolding may only serve to heighten his stress response and possibly make the situation worse. Also, very important to substitute suitable toys/objects he CAN be allowed to chew on, the hardness or softness determined by his breed and health of his gums/teeth. A hard nylint bone may be painful to chew, if his gums/teeth are in poor condition.
Lastly, do seek out a vet, if you haven't already, well-experienced and compassionate to the unique circumstances presented by rescue dogs. I'm sure, in time, handled correctly, the situation will vastly improve. God Bless you for your love & kindess! <3
I had no idea there was animal prozac, that is the most interesting thing I've heard today, lol.
DeleteThanks for all the awesome advice! We just did a really big move and I was worried because we'd be closer to family, and I didn't know how he'd handle being around new people. Surprisingly, he has come to my grandmother for "love" (attention), and let everyone else pet him. I was so proud of him for coming out of his shell.
But then he started with the chewing again, haha. I'll have to see if there's a good vet in the area who might be able to help.
Thanks again!