Hi Everyone,
I need some help. As most of you know I have two mini doxies...Zeke & Zora. We are expecting our first hooman November 27, 2005. Well... lately Zora has been acting out...i.e. chewing up things. Started out small with little pieces of paper, then shoes(complete with shoe laces)...now the rug in our living room. I don't know what the issue is. She has never been a chewer not even as puppy. I am at my wits end. Initially she was crate trained for two years and have not been in a crate since she was 2. I would hate to have to crate her again after all this time, but I don't know what else to do. :crazyeyes: Any suggestions? :scratch:
Thanks,
Yamisi
Hmm. I have a little hooman too, although Elf is already a year. Cajsa changed the wy she acted around me towards the end of my pregnancy but didn't actually chew up things. Is it possible to give her more attention and reassure her that the changes aren't going to be bad? It may sound silly but just sit down and love on her while telling her how things are going to change and that it's a good thing may help. I talked to Cajsa about it and she was happier, although it could've just been that she was getting more attention too. Also try to not keep your hands/arms in front of your tummy as body language like that can make pets (and other people too) feel standoffish and pushed away. I noticed I was doing that a lot towards the end and stopped doing it around Cajsa and that seemed to help too.
As far as the actual chewing goes is it possible to give her a chewey instead? Maybe put all the shoes and things like that up where she can't get them. The rugs of course can't realy be put up. but maybe if she had something that was OK to chew things would settle down some?
Hi April,
Thanks for responding. I probably have been giving less attention than usual because in the books I've been reading on preparing dogs for baby's arrival said it was a bad idea. They claim it was a bad idea to give the same amount of attention because once the baby arrives it will be unrealistic to keep it up and that the dog would resent the baby for it. I'll be more aware of where I put my hands although I don't think I touch my belly very often. Strange I know! My husband touches it more than I do. I do want to reassure her that everything will be fine and that I love her just the same.
She does have chew toys and doggie toys that are left out for her and Zeke to play with. That is why the sudden chewing is so strange. I will definitely put the shoes away but I only leave them by the patio door so I or my husband can access them quickly when we need to take the dogs out to potty.
The fact that Elf is already a year and things are working out for you is encouraging. Thanks again for your help!!!!
Yamisi
Well, I know that for the first month or two after Elf came home it was difficult to have time for both babies! Still I would spend as much time as possible with Cajsa. She will lay beside me while Elf nurses and can get her touches and loves that way. Eventually they (baby and dogs) will probably play together as well so attention will be given to each other and you will have a little more free time. :) I would say that the dogs should be able to do a "sit/stay" and things like that because you won't want them rushing you or the baby all the time coming in and out of the door! Feel free to PM me if you want any more info about how I did things with the Elf and Cajsa. David would of course help when he's home, but he's not home all the time.
Rudy & Max both clearly knew Margie was pregnant and they became more protective over her. Maybe Zora doesn't understand the changes to your body? From what I recall, Zora seemed quite piqued by Jessica, and then took Jessica as her "own". She refused to let my in-laws get close to Jessica. It's possible once the baby comes and Zora's mothering instinct comes through that all these behaviors will stop.
As corny as it may sound, I sat both Rudy & Max down and explained to them what was going on. While they probably had no clue what I was saying, I think talking to them in reassuring tones...that things were about to change, but they would still be a big part of our lives, may have settled them down.
If the behaviors continue to get out of hand with Zora, perhaps a slight change of scenery...like a short stay at the Dachsie Hilton might get her to "snap out" of it.
April...
Thanks for all the advice. I will definitley try giving her more attention to see if that helps. I will PM you if I have any new developments. Thanks for your willingness to help.
David...
Nice to talk to you again. I sure hope Zora's mothering instincts kick in when the baby is here. She has me really worried. A visit to the Dachshie Hilton maybe just what she needs. I'm sure Zeke would love it too!!! It would be interesting to see how they are with Jessica now that she's older. I will definitely tru to sit down and talk to both of them and try to reassure them that everything will be okay. I'll let you know if we see some improvements. Thanks so much for your help!!!!
Yamisi
Hey,
I just want to say that I know my girl & cat were very intune to me being pg.
Dottie just seemed to understand that I was different. She was a little more
calm & cautious about me. Unfortunately our son was born premature &
passed on. She tuned into our saddness too.
I was really worried about her attachment to me.
Then we got Frankie & she did as I expected. She backed off from me &
grew more attached to my husband.
The cat has always slept next to my pillow & while I was pg he wouldn't.
Afterwards he came back to his normal routine.
Sometimes we forget how nature works in these things.
They adjust very well considering but it may take some time.
Keep your patients & give them as much love as you can.
Good luck with it & the new one to arrive!