The dog has started to revolt against having a toddler in the house

Liz&Eric · August 2009

She isn't being aggressive toward DD. Actually, she is amazingly affectionate and always super gentle with her, but she has started some major acting up when we leave the house. We came home to the tv knocked over and plants spilled everywhere the other day. She scratched the moldings and the walls near the front door. DH was pissed to say the least. Anyone have any advice other than spending more time with her and giving her exercise? I am afraid DH is going to insist we get rid of her if she keeps this up.

I wouldn't let that happen, but I don't want it to come up. The dog is a husky mix.

beebe929 · August 2009

Sounds like you need to put her in a crate. A Vet told us once that dogs become very attached to their cages and feel much calmer when they have a place of their own to go to...

and the exercise too

swimming47 · August 2009

Like PP said, get a crate and slowly train your dog to love it. Our pup uses his crate as a safe haven. We used stuffed kongs and super yummy treats to get him used to it.

More exercise.

Do you have a doggie daycare type place you could take her once in awhile to burn off the energy?

lauren&matt · August 2009

Poor doggie And getting rid of her should not be an option. I don't get why it even would be...

Crate training could be an option... what about a kong with frozen peanut butter when you leave. That should keep her busy (and it doesn't make a mess... my dog goes nuts for it.) Or a bully stick... those last a long time too. Basically a high quality treat that will keep her busy for a while.

And yes, exercise and attention are musts! But please don't even think about getting rid of her. She's your responsibility and a living, breathing animal. Dogs are NOT disposable!!!!

You could also contact a behaviorist. You would probably seek out a mechanic if you car was broken, a computer tech if you were having computer issues... so seek out a behaviorist on doggie issues.

GL!

cfitz16 · August 2009

Yes, she needs more exercise...especially husky mixes. You can also give her a dog "puzzle" to do while she is by herself. They have dog toys that you put a small amount of food in and she has to figure out how to get it out of it (there are balls, bones, kongs.) I would also block her into one room only--perhaps the kitchen, or crate her. But, if she hasn't been crated from day one, that might be tougher.

Liz&Eric · August 2009

Thanks Ladies. It is a tough situation. I would never get rid of her. DH doesn't tolerate this kind of stuff well though. Especially when she is ruining our house that we have worked so hard on. We used to put her in a crate when she was little, but we haven't crated her for about 4 years. I have decided to leave our bedroom door open so she can go sleep on the bed in there. She seems to be okay with that, but I think there was a little scratching when we left yesterday even with that door open. Doggie daycare is too expensive around here. I have some girls up the street that have taken care of her before so it is possible they could come over and run around with her after school each day or something. I will have to look into getting a kong again. She really didn't like the kong when she was puppy (she is a picky eater), but she pretty much eats anything under the sun now, so I will try it again. I am so certain that she is getting jealous of Savannah now that she is crawling. I think she sees here as competition now that she is down on her level and in her face more.

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