root@idmi-cc.UUCP (Admin) (02/17/85)
> But, I have a problem with my puppy (a Westie) that I need some help with: ... > He almost daily tears toilet paper off of the roll and rips it > to shreads. I could just not put the paper on the roll, but I > want to raise a civilized dog and I think that not tearing up > things is a part of being civilized. Of course, he never does > this when we are at home. > > Stan Switzer One solution that so far has worked *twice* for me is, if you have to confine a dog to a restricted area during the day, give them lots, and I mean **LOTS** of _LAYTEX_ chew toys (the plastic and rubber ones can be eaten too easily and upset the dog's digestion). Usually about 20 per dog is about right. You see the problem is not that your dog is 'uncivilised' but that he is bored!! If you give him enough things to keep him buisy that he is allowed to play with often he will not do the things he gets punished for (you do punish him for chewing the bathroom tissue don't you). Also you might try getting some 'bitter apple' spray from your pet store, and wasting a roll of tissue by spraying it every morning before you leave for about a week (when the dog isn't looking of corse). This will leave a very bad taste in his mouth every time he goes for a nibble. After about a week he should get the message that tissue has lost it's appealing flavor and stear clear. I hope this helps. Now, Does anyone out there have any tips on how to housebreak a beagle that has no fear of punishment. At 7 weeks of age she went into the hospital for *3* weeks, 2 of which were spent on I.V. close to death with parvo, pneumonia, and a few other maladies and ever since her attitude has been 'ha. I've been through worse than a two minute yelling/spanking/whatever...'. What's an owner to do??? ----- "Adventure is when you toss your life on the scales of chance and wait for the pointer to stop." - Murray Leinster (First Contact) The views expressed herein are probably not worth much to anyone and therefore should not be mistaken to represent I.D.M.I, it's officers or any other people heretofore or hereafter associated with said company. Everything is probably trademarked or copyrighted by somebody who could care less about how I use it as long as I mention their name. Andrew R. Scholnick Information Design and Management Inc., Alexandria, Va. ...seismo!rlgvax!idmi-cc!andrew