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Sept 9, 2007 23:24:26 GMT -5
Post by newgreydaddy on Sept 9, 2007 23:24:26 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, I have not been on here in a long time but I need some help. I adopted a grey back in March and things have been OK for the most part, but recently over the summer have taken a turn for the worse, I have Cali, or AMF Balloon as her GRA name once was. During the last few months, Cali has repeatedly destroyed the garbage or anything she can get into, but specifically garbage. I know the obvious thing is to put the garabge up out of the way, and the answer is I have. She will jump up on the counter and eat anything. So far some of the items include: 3 wooden spatulas, a loaf of multigrain bread, two sleeves of crackers, numerous full bins of garbage which has resulted in a trip or two to the vets, rotten meat, styrofoam, i would say an excess of 15 to 20 pounds of her food which she has pryed the lid off her food bucket....and tonight she thought it would be fun to try to eat a glass bottle of plum sauce and teryaki sauce that was up on the counter. The only thing I can think of is crating her but I would rather not. I am at the end of my ropes, Can someone give me some suggestions, I know Greys are famous for being food hounds, but enough is enough. I am very frustrated, and training is not working.. HELP PLEASE..
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Sept 10, 2007 7:45:05 GMT -5
Post by rocco's parents on Sept 10, 2007 7:45:05 GMT -5
The first thing you have to do is get everything off the counters if at all possible, you could try putting up some gates to block off the kitchen as well. If you have a spray bottle try filling it with some water and when she goes toward the kitchen other than regular eating time, assuming you feed in the kitchen, spray her with it. Hope it helps.
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Sept 10, 2007 8:42:14 GMT -5
Post by jiffer on Sept 10, 2007 8:42:14 GMT -5
I hear your frustration and remember it all too well. The easiest solution is to gate her away from the kitchen. It might not be easy depending on the setup in your house. For ours, we used babygates to block the kitchen.
However, if you cannot do that, then cleaning up the kitchen area of all tasties is your next option. Anyone who has been to our house can attest that we have minimal things in our kitchen. Bread and baked goods are stored in the fridge or microwave. All food is put up and away. Even our garbage is stored securely under the sink. Overall, our kitchen is rather bare. LOL
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nimbyearl
Hound Nut
BUY CANADIAN!
Posts: 1,344
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Sept 10, 2007 10:11:42 GMT -5
Post by nimbyearl on Sept 10, 2007 10:11:42 GMT -5
As far as garbage goes - we had the same problem with Nimby and then we found the solution right next door! My neighbour makes beautiful wooden bins. I had him make one for me - it is approx. 3 ft high and is beautiful. I didn't get it painted just left it natural with the varnish on it. Washes like a charm - and no more garbage all over. The ones with the door are very nice too! Take a look thetolerstouch.com/Funature.htmlLiz
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Gail
Grey Puppy
Posts: 62
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Sept 10, 2007 15:06:29 GMT -5
Post by Gail on Sept 10, 2007 15:06:29 GMT -5
I had the same problem with my bouviers, especially Lorilee. The only way I could keep garbage under the sink was to use a padlock and key which was a real pain. My solution was to put a small garbage bin on top of the fridge. So far no one can reach it.
I cannot keep anything on my counters and in my sink. Cat food tins are deftly removed to be licked clean. I am now washing them and putting them into my recycle bin outside. Like Jiffer, I keep no food on my counter, kitchen table, stove top, or microwave. Valerie does not do counter surfing but that is probably the bouviers beat her to it if I do accidentally leave something out.
I keep the dog food in a plastic bin made by one of the larger companies. The lid is very difficult to pry off for me and so far the dogs do not try. I keep it under the kitchen table which makes it more difficult for the dogs to get at.
They keep us on our toes trying to out-think them.
Gail
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guppy
Junior Grey Lover
Max MOo
Posts: 177
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Sept 10, 2007 19:21:26 GMT -5
Post by guppy on Sept 10, 2007 19:21:26 GMT -5
I bought baby safe door latches for all our cupboards, including the one the garbage is in, but they never got installed so we have used thick elastic bands around the door knobs to prevent our dogs from getting the cabinet door open to get at the garbage, etc... Garbage bins with step ons to open the lid usually work too as long as they can't be knocked over.
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Sept 10, 2007 21:33:10 GMT -5
Post by outtasmommy on Sept 10, 2007 21:33:10 GMT -5
I just recently saw an episode of the Dog Whisperer about a dog who did this very thing. He even went so far as to eat an entire throw carpet when the owners were out one day and wound up in the animal ER with a severe intestinal blockage that required immediate surgery and almost killed him. What Ceasar found was that the dog was bored and wanting to be challenged. I would suggest perhaps adding another walk (if possible) to Calis day and maybe getting some toys that stimulate her.....maybe a Kong with peanut butter or something that you can stuff some of her food into and she has to work to get it out......maybe its just the adventure and unpredictability that keeps her going back into the kitchen for treasure hunting. Just my opinion. Good luck
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Sept 11, 2007 7:46:59 GMT -5
Post by tara on Sept 11, 2007 7:46:59 GMT -5
Ty isn't a garbage/counter eater ... which is good cause he is so tall. But our Lab is so I know of your frustration (in my experience Lab's are a little more stubborn than greys). We have doggy proofed things (the cupboard safety locks work well). And like Jiffer said no clutter on counter no open garbage pails ect. Our Lab will eat paper, plastic wrappers, water bottles, beer bottle caps, socks ... ANYTHING ... we have to watch him all the time and remind the kids not to leave stuff laying around. We even went so far as to teach the command "Spit it Out" for those times when he picks something up. It has to be a "NO" situation when something is in her mouth that shouldn't be (anything that isn't her food, treats or toys). Hope someone on here can help you find the right solution to Cali's issue. Good Luck! Tara
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