Question for any Doodle Whisperer out in cyberspace

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Has been 2 wks since Derby is home. She's 10+ wks old. She had a tuff day today...several slips ups on the hse breaking end. I was able to catch 2 of 3 of them, but apparently made no impact...anyway, different point I'm heading toward..tonite when we put her to sleep for the nite, as usual, in our room in the travel kennel..she started scratching the bottom of it in serious hyper mode...we finally removed her and put her in her day time crate in the kitchen...no more scratching...and not a peep out of her.
What can be explained about this behavior...?? I'm really confused b/c she was perfectly content with the prior arrangements till tonight. Just a bad day all around for Derby??!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Please. Only 10 weeks and a few accidents!  FANTASTIC.

  Don't expect perfection for a few m o n t h s.  And, any mistake, is usually yours.  You let her eat and did not take her out right away.  She woke up from a nap and you did not take her out right away.  Playing hard for 10 minutes and got too excited. She played and drank a lot of water, but you forgot to take her out ten minutes later. You did take her out, but you never stayed out long enough for her to completely get it all done. ETC.  Are you expecting way too much? Yes.

At ten weeks, this pup is a baby. 

Scratching in her soft crate.  Is she making her den?  She is a dog  :)   My dog does this each night

She is rearranging her bed, just like you do each night. 

If she has an accident at one year, write this discussion again  :)

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Probably trying to make a den, but nothing in there to do it with. Got your point about the accidents. I do take full responsibility..however a bit disconcerting as she is always on a leash tethered to me. And I believe you are spot on regarding all the possibilities..each one probably occurred today.
Do you think she just prefers the crate? Might've a tad bit roomier....I hope not to much room there..I guess I'll find out in the a.m.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Dogs dig.  Dogs scratch.  My dog, when he was a puppy would scratch the corner in a room with tile. Why?  I have NO CLUE. He is a dog, that's why!   :) Sometimes he scratches cement sidewalks?  No clue?   He is just a dog.  I see this as a manicure and it saves me from clipping nails.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Ha!   And dogs chew and chew and chew.  My pup was a real digger for a while.  He even tried to dig out an oak tree on our patio.  Then he was a chewer.  He chewed on everything and particularly the baseboard, the corners on walls, and the deck.  My husband began using tabasco on the areas that he chewed and that stopped the chewing.  He never was a scratcher, but he loves to roll in sand.  If he sees a patch of sand, he is down in it and rolling.  So, I guess it is just the dog.  They all do annoying things but that is just the DOG in them.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Please consider your pup a baby. She physically at this time, does not have much control over the muscles that control her urine or stool.  Just not possible. These muscles are very immature. In time, she will be able to but this is a very young young pup.

Be sure to clean up all accidents to remove the scent with Natures Miracle.

Also, take a towel you have used to clean up these accidents and place them int he potty area of your yard to establish her scent. She will get this.

Now is a good time to start using potty bells. By 5 or 6 months you will be a lot happier

[Rachel and Ollie]

Ollie at that age used to do that hyper digging/scratching on my kitchen floor...I felt like he was trying to erase my spotted linoleum...he'd almost be in a trance with it. It was humorous at first, then just kind of weird. He will still do this digging in blankets and occasionally on my couch. It's usually when he is in a super ornery mood.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Good point.  Now that I think about it, Lola also does this when she is upset and wants attention.  It's kind of like a little tantrum.

[Rachel and Ollie]

Ollie too. Then I say "Ollie, no sir!" And he grumbles at me...it's like he's talking back. I cant help but laugh.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Ha.  Same exact thing.  It's like a grumbly little growl.  I tell her "cool it" but once she stops spazzing out I usually take her for a walk or to play ball.

[Rachel and Ollie]

Yep! He just is ready to play. He gets this crazy look in his eyes too...his crazy eyes.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I usually notice it too when dogs are about to get really silly

[Adina P]

My 7 year old has done this since I can remember to his dog bed.