Vegetarian Boxer

[Terry&Joye]

Hi! Just thought we would introduce ourselves first. I'm Terry and my wife is Joye, our Boxer is Lucy an eighteen month old Brindle. Our topic is how can a dog that has never chewed or damaged anything in the house, including never going into the garbage be such a destroyer of vegetation in the garden. She does not eat what she shreds, but will break open an orange extra strong garbage bag to get at the contents if it is plantlife. She chews roses off at ground level then digs up the root. Any suggestions?

 

[MarinaS]

Hi Terry,
I don't know whether I should laugh or be sad because what you described is EXACTLY my Tina. She has never done any attempt to distroy something in the house; when I was just going to buy her my mom said (jokingly, of course)- if your dog eats or chews on any piece of my furniture, I will throw it away. It seemed like Tina heard her words because we even didn't have to teach her not to touch furniture or shoes, she never showed any interest towards them. She was such a good girl. Until she went outside to the garden. Then she became a real devil digging HUGE holes, chewing roses and other flowers, digging veggies out of the ground (she didn't eat them, just threw all around), tearing out bushes, etc.
And now the saddest part of my story. We failed to stop this behavior. Every time we were in the garden we kept an eye on her so we could yell OFF, but as soon as there was no one watching she started all that again. Luckily me and Tina have moved and we have no garden now so she doesn't upset me anymore.
Sorry, this wasn't any help for you, I just wanted to share this.
Regards,

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Marina
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Tina - fawn, natural ears, born September 1996; sweetie and cutie

 

[Terry&Joye]

Thanks Marina,I can't understand it either, we can leave Lucy in our brand new Jeep, and not a thing will be disturbed, but if she sees a tomato then its used as a ball, nothing seems to work, she destroyed a large heather while I was in the garden with her, but talking to someone, so not watching its almost as if she regognizes the house and Jeep as our turf, but the garden is hers,she has also destroyed two wicker chairs that were on the porch.this is the same dog that dosn't even chew her toys!we love her anyway, but it would be nice to know why. anyway it is good to know that we are not alone,although as gardening is my no.1 hobby I cant see that having no garden as an option!

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Companions to
CAPECODS LOVELY LUCINDA
Flashy Brindle, Spayed Female.18 months old. Natural ears.