Chirstmas Chaos

[copper]

Ok...I love me little Copper (5 mo.) but this is getting really crazy. Just the other day I put up my X-mas tree, oh what a sight, so many bulbs and lights. Copper seemed to be just as pleased as me as we watched the lights twinkle...ah, all is right with the world.
The next day I come home to a couple of bulbs busted on the ground, no big deal. The next day two more bulbs. You can see where this is going. Today I come home and the tree is almost on its side and two stands of lights are bitten in two!
I'm basically writing this to vent...so bare with me here. I know everyone says, "buys lots of toys, cycle them so he won't get bored." Well news flash...Copper has 30 quality toys...30! Everything other than a toy is much more interesting..I mean come on..how interesting can a wad of tissue paper be..YUCK!!! Oh and for you Kong lovers..that thing is great..if you have 20 of them to keep him content! He is a genius..no matter how tight I pack the treats he gets them out in less than a minute. I swear he has an opposing thumb somewhere. Well if you have any advice as how to keep my boy from chewing everything fire it at me..Im all ears. As for the beautiful tree...shes coming down tomorrw :( oh well....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! I LOVE HIM STILL!!!

 

[hanley]

Fa la la la la la la la la !

Copper just knew you put that tree up just for him! This is his new toy & staked claims on it early! Just be glad he didn't hike his leg & pee on it! I too have come home & found my whole tree flat on the floor,with broken balls & lights scattered everywhere!My dog would be looking so innocent, with tinsel hanging out of her mouth, as to say Mom that evil cat tore up my Xmas tree! Yeah right!The joys of puppyhood & Xmas! All I can say, is take it down & try again next year, they do grow up! Merry Christmas, Hanley

 

[Anna Begins]

Are you crate training Copper?
If not, it is a great thing... tough in the first 2 weeks, but at least you have peace of mind when you're not around. Think of all Copper can get into besides the Christmas tree. Besides, taking it down isn't teaching him what he can have and what he can't. I teach Luka (4 months) to live with my life, not live mine around him. I would never leave him unsupervised w/out a crate at his age.
If that's not for you, Dr Fosters sells a baby gate specifically for dogs that are large or can jump high. Maybe you can baby gate him in the kitchen or bathroom...

 

[lillys7]

Ah Guinness has done this... he likes lights...first the pink and then the blue...he thinks e can't hear him munching on the branches...hmmm...

 

[Julie P.]

I know this must have been very frustrating for you but I could not help but LOL. Our rescue boxer, Deeg is 18 months old and he is very much like your Copper. Deeg is super smart and playful. He has a billion toys that never seem to satisfy him. I cannot leave him alone for more than ten minutes unattended.

We had a very brief and passing thought to block off our kitchen for Deeg when we leave him alone. Since I am getting use to Deeg's crazy tactics I realized that no matter what I did to "Deeg proof" the kitchen he would still find something to make into a new toy. Cabinets? Tiles? or whatever...everything is a toy to Deeg. I do not see Deeg as being destructive, but just a playful smart dog.

I totally understand your frustration. I guess my suggestion would be to crate train Copper. Deeg loves his crate. He is in it right now with the door open. I think he feels it is his bedroom. I sometimes wonder if Deeg is smarter than I am, as I always need to figure out his next move LOL! Good Luck, puppy hood is so cute but very challenging.

 

[DupontBoxer]

To give you some peace while you are home, I would tie off your xmas tree. It is easy to do and trust me, it really works (I grew up in house with active kids, large dogs, and multiple cats). You need three small hooks (the ones called o-hooks work the best -they look like a circle with a screw attached) and some clear fishing line. Screw the hook into the wall, tie a piece of line securely near the top of the tree, and then tie it to the hook. Repeat on each wall. This works best if the tree is in a corner and will also prevent your tree from tipping over when you are trying to water it.

 

[Melgoglia]

Abigail hasn't attempted to destroy our tree yet.. she's been pretty good. She will go over to it smell the presents.. yea she has some under it and I'm sure she can smell them.. she hasn't seemed to interested in the tree it's self. However I will say when we're not home she is crated. But from the time I get home in the afternoon till bed time she is running free..

Our cat is another story he is trying to figure a way to climb that tree I know it.. he will sit under it looking up in it ..so far so good. Maybe he's the one that needs crating while we're out.. :rolleyes:

 

[copper]

Thanks

Hey all,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I have crated trained Copper for the past 4 mo. He really does well in the crate but since he is house broken I kind of forgot the other reasons to crate him. I agree that I have been risking alot by leaving him out...thanks for the reminders. One of the things that is a bit sad is the fact that Copper was born on a farm that had tons of x-mas tress, I know what are the odds. He loves to run under them and rip branches off, hence our destroyed tree.

I think I will never have a tree since this is his favorite activity when we go outside to the park. Oh well I can live without a tree, Copper on the other hand, priceless!

I could write a hole book on the funny stuff he does every day. I do have to share this. I have to hairless cats that get along awesome with Copper. They gravitate towards any heat source, so Copper is prime real estate when he is not moving. The funny thing is...Copper loves to put thier entire heads in his mouth!!!! It's the most hilarious thing you have ever seen. When hes done they look sooooo groooossssss! Thank again for the comments.

T.J.