This blog is to ask (beg) for advice

[Frannie & Callie]

Ok...it started out as cute naughtiness, but Callie escalated into major destruction today...she broke, pulled down, and shredded the blinds in my den. Our schedule hasn't really changed, so if it is boredom, it's sudden onset boredom. I really don't know how to prevent this (first step of course will be confinement again when I'm gone). Any words of wisdom would be welcome!!!!!!!!!! .

[F, Calla & Luca]

Joanne, what a sad story.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Frannie, if you don't mind some rustiness, I have an old exercise pen (ex-pen) you can barrow. Think of an exercise pen like a play pen for dogs (actually it works pretty good for toddlers too). It makes a 12' circle and is waist high. I can throw bring it with me on Sunday if you would like.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

FYI--by do not close the bottom I meant that some verticals have a weight or weighted chains that connect each vein allowing them to hang straight. Don't use the weights.
Good Luck.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

When we lived in FL, this lady bought the house next door for her 18 year old college student daughter to live in along with a couple roommates (picture nightmare here). Anyway, daughter was dumb as a box of rocks, (insert spoiled little rich girl here) and mom wasn't far behind. Daughter quit going to college and it took mom (who lived less than 5 miles away) over a semester to figure it out! Anyway, daughter loved dogs. Had little dogs. One day I saw them peeking out through the mini blinds. So next time I saw the daughter I mentioned I saw the puppies with their heads poked through the slates on the mini blinds and she might want to do something about the mini blinds because dogs could get their heads stuck and hang themselves. She looked at me like I ate a bug! Next day I noticed the pleated paper blind on the front door was raised up, but the mini blinds remained just like always ..... I repeat dumb as a box of rocks.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My husband works in the blinds/drapery industry. My dogs ( mid 1990) hung themselves in my miniblinds. This was how I met my hubby :)
His advice--use vertical, not mini blinds. Also, do not close the bottom of the verticals. Let them hang free. You will notice from now on people who have mini blinds and pets. The veins in the blinds are bent on the sides. They so much want to look out the window. You really can't stop them When you are gone they want to wait at the window to watch you return.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think you must crate until she stops destroying things in your house. It is better for your sanity and her safety!
For what its worth, the colder weather has made Peri a little nuts lately. We are still doing 4-5 1/2 mile walks throughout the day and that helps.

[Frannie & Callie]

Callie has definitely had some separation anxiety. I started out with her in the crate and she barked non-stop, disturbing the neighbors (I live in a townhouse and share walls). Then I let her roam free for a while, and she chewed some stuff up, so I started containing her in the kitchen (which took a waist-high gate, shut french doors, and a dining room chair pressed up against the door to keep her from escaping). About two months ago, she started escaping from there. She wasn't being destructive, so I just moved the gate to the stairs and kept her limited to the bottom level (and I wasn't perfect about using the gate...she frequently has full run). We'll ABSOLUTELY be going back to tighter boundries. I dropped her off at daycare today and asked them to get her super tired. We go on really long walks, but there's been a lot of rain and less dog park. My walking speed just doesn't make her tired! Maybe I've just busier than I've realized. What is an ex-pen?

[Joyce & Wilson]

I have found that an exercised doodle is a well behaved dood...If I know I'm going to be gone like say 6 hrs..I take Wilson for a brisk walk..or throw the ball a dozen times..it really made the difference for me!!! Good Luck!!

[Sue]

The only answer is a playmate to keep them occupied, LOL
I crated my foster puppy for the first time today. Safety is the most important thing.

[Kyoko]

I am an advocate for the crate and the ex-pen. I think it is the safest place for them to be while we are out...