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Post by humphs on Jul 30, 2008 3:21:18 GMT -5
Yes I have one of those which I ordinarily would have recommended but Fergal has learnt he can open it by banging his chin on the lid  My hopes where raised and then dashed again then It may be worth a go though, if only so I end up with a fancy bin... ;D No help at all but it always makes me smile when I remember a homecheck I once did.... they had a tall kitchen bin with a sensor that opened the lid when you waved something over it... I remember thinking "how long would it take a greyhound to work THAT out" We had major food stealing issues when Tom first came, as others have said, the biggest thing is learning not to leave things accessible. Many people find that the microwave makes a handy "food safe" when not in use. Tom had a entire white sliced loaf once (blew up like a baloon) and a entire packet of crunchy nut cornflakes (the aftermath of that was NOT pretty). |
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Post by Nettie on Jul 30, 2008 6:35:58 GMT -5
Indy, was and is a dreadful bin raider, in the end the bin went outside and a I put a hook on the inside of the undersink cupboard and hung a carrier bag on it for my inside bin. Here in France we have tall pedal bins and I find if I turn the pedal side towards the wall he doesn't bother. Many a time previously I've walked in the house to find the bin bag in the living room and rubbish strewn all over the sofas, however, the worse thing was he can't resist peeing on black bin liners so it always rubbish and a peed on bin liner I came home to.
You've had good advice, I'm afraid that sometimes with these hounds you have to look at prevention rather than cure. Rebecca is going to have to learn to keep her bedroom door shut or you'll need another gate across the stairs to stop her going upstairs.
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Post by Ali on Jul 30, 2008 10:37:14 GMT -5
Mine will all steal food if given the chance . We don't have a kitchen bin but take all rubbish to the outside bin. We do often have a bag on the worksurface for bits and bobs throughout the day - but if the kitchen is to be left unattended this is put outside and the worksurfaces are always left clear of food. Any food on surfaces is not left unattended when the dogs are about. If you are able to - do away with the kitchen bin altogether or have a bin inside a cupboard.
Baby gate as already suggested will make life alot easier.
It sounds a complete pain, but it's routine and normal to us and quickly becomes second nature. Meg taught us very early on that anything left 'loose' was fair game to a hound.
The same applys for your daughters room and her toys - if you don't want Lola to have something, make sure she can't get at it.
With regards not pooing on walks... Meg was the same but soon learned that "Meggie Poos" meant "do a poo!". In the way the dogs are taught "wee wees" means just that. We encourage and praise when they perform and add the "wee wees" word so they can learn the cue - it works for poos too. It will come in time.
Just to add try not to get frustrated with a dog that will only poo/wee in the garden as it could deter them from going at all in the garden or designated place.
The problems you are having sound like normal settling in ones and are just part of you all adjusting to living together. I'm sure things will settle down into a routine soon enough. ;D
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Post by whiskydry on Jul 30, 2008 11:02:34 GMT -5
Don't worry I'd never be frustrated with her for performing in the garden. It's not "wrong" for her to do that at all. I'm very chilled out about her today and in return she has been almost an angel ;D Apart from locating some little chocolates that I didn't know we even had, and certainly don't know where they where! Maybe she could be a searching dog |
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Post by elmuervo on Jul 30, 2008 12:47:57 GMT -5
Why not buy a bin that has a clip/push down to open bin? I have one and the hounds can't get in it. My mum has a simple flip top bin and Twigs can get in that no problem. No hound has ever tried to get in mine including any of my fosters. Mine is a cheap version of the Brabantia bins. I've posted a link just so you can see the sort of bin I'm talking about. www.amazon.co.uk/Brabantia-Touch-Brilliant-Steel-litre/dp/B00026LJH0 Yes I have one of those which I ordinarily would have recommended but Fergal has learnt he can open it by banging his chin on the lid So can Barney - he just nudges the lid down and hey presto, goody bag! And steal? Should have called him Ronnie (Biggs) . . . They're swines aren't they, God love 'em? |
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Post by dominique on Jul 30, 2008 14:41:34 GMT -5
Yes I have one of those which I ordinarily would have recommended but Fergal has learnt he can open it by banging his chin on the lid So can Barney - he just nudges the lid down and hey presto, goody bag! And steal? Should have called him Ronnie (Biggs) . . . They're swines aren't they, God love 'em? Ruby and the Zakka man tag team the bin. He opens it by balancing on her high feeder and pushing the lid with his paw or nose, until it springs up, and Ruby just reaches in a helps herself Someone needs to invent a hound proof bin lock |
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rzs
I'm New Here
Posts: 44 
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Post by rzs on Jul 30, 2008 15:47:37 GMT -5
I see that you have already received lots of good advice but I just thought I'd share a little about our experiences with our newish girl Ruby. We too did the little angel boy followed by the little devil girl thing and I know how hard it can be and how you can start to wonder what you've let yourself in for. Ruby was 18months old and straight out of kennels when we got her in March. She took ages to housetrain, ate her own poo (then came to give you a kiss  ), stole food whenever possible and would even try to drink your tea at the same time as you  There were many times when I was tearing my hair out. I had said that there was no way I'd get a puppy as I didn't have the patience for one only for it to dawn on me that I'd actually got a giant puppy (duh) who could reach the worksurfaces, couldn't be picked up and put outside when she started to wee and had the bladder control to say actually I don't think I will finish this outside then come back in and do it on the carpet  With time and perseverence most of these issues have stopped or at least lessened now. We have had to adapt a bit - both dogs now go in the other room behind the dog gate when we eat whereas when it was just Spike we could eat our dinners off our knees no problem and we have to strive to keep the kitchen counter free from food or just shut the door. We do find that if we are a bit lax and she does sucessfully manage to eat something off the counter she will step up her thieving as it is self rewarding. Although this kinda just sounds like a big moan - it's actually meant to be encouraging! It can take a while for them to settle in but the tough times do pass before you know it and you'll find a way to resolve or cope with the glitches. Ruby has blossomed into a really lovely sweet girl and we have all learned to live happily together with a little bit of give and take. Incidently Ruby looks similar to Lola. I remember laughing when I first saw Sue's pics of Lola playing in the house, looking like a little nutter cos I was thinking "I've got one of those". Perhaps it's just a black and white girly thing. Here's a pic of little Roo being good for once  |
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Post by whiskydry on Jul 30, 2008 19:07:38 GMT -5
Oh yes I forgot to mention the bit where she tries to drink my drink at the same time as me I understand now that I need to work on prevention rather than cure, she has trained me in only 10 days ;D Ruby does look a lot like her! aren't they both gorgeous! |
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Post by ragsysmum on Jul 31, 2008 9:06:22 GMT -5
For the not pooing on lead problem, have you tried a long line or at least tying two leads together to give her more distance away from you? Several of my rescues over the years have been reluctant to 'perform' on a standard length lead but given a longer line and the opportunity to get further away from you, maybe into longer grass or behind a bush etc. seem much more relaxed about it. Keep giving your command word whatever you choose to use, as she starts to toilet, and praise on completion and she should soon learn to go on command.
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