Worst day ever! (venting sorry!)

[wnt2adpt]

Yesterday started out as a normal day but it sure didn't end that way! I went to work as usual (7:15) and left Greta out of the crate. I returned home for lunch (10:30) and BOY did I get a surprise! I looked in the glass door to see Greta asleep on her back right on top of a mountain of down feathers & couch cushion fluff!!!!! She tore up the comforter and also one of my couch cushions, and was all laid up in the middle of it like "this is so cool"! Not to mention she ate a few candles too. What a little devil!!

The story does not stop there!!!

As soon as I walked in the door, she knew she was in big trouble. She immediately hunkered to the ground and put her ears back. And then guess what she did? SHE RAN OUT THE DOOR! With NO COLLAR! I didn't latch the door all the way so she got out! She took off down the road and was gone! I freaked out and went out the door after her - only to slip & fall smack down on the concrete! ARRGGHH! So I was in pain hobbling around the neighborhood trying to find my girl. I was crying hysterically and hobbling around - I know my neighbors thought I was crazy! I was so afraid that Greta was just gone. I went back home and got the car and then drove all around the neighborhood. Luckily, I found her down the road sniffing around in the grass about 15 minutes later. I WAS SO HAPPY TO FIND HER! By the time I found her, I wasn't even mad anymore. At that point, I had to go to the Dr. and have my knee X-rayed. Nothing is broken but I have a beautiful swollen knee and a hematoma on top! I swear - the things I go through for my baby!!!!

A serious question ~ what does the destruction sound like? Separation anxiety? What would have been the best way to punish/handle her? Ignore the mess? I didn't even have time to react since she ran out the door! From now on, little missy will be in the crate when I'm gone (until I can trust her again at least!). I think she may be upset and afraid that I'm not coming back. And I also do not want her to eat something that could hurt her. I left her in the crate this morning with a kong full of yogurt and a couple of chew toys.

Thank you for listening to my rant! Any comments on her behaviour would be graciously appreciated.

 

[boxer]

Wow - what a day. Poor you!

On the behavioural question though - without any other signs of separation anxiety, I would be more inclined to assume it was just a case of a bored boxer making her own fun :rolleyes:

Back to the crate is a good idea in the interim. Then you should start her out with limited periods of freedom in a puppy-proofed house/room. Until she is clear on what she can and can't chew, it just makes sense not to leave her with access to things she can get into, or too much freedom all at once.

 

[jbbtlr]

Sorry you had such a bad day. It must have been the day for that, because my day ended on a crappy note also. Koda also got out of the house. The neighbor boy was going home and he didn't shut the door all the way and Koda thought, kewl, lets go!

We have been slowly trying to train him to stay in the yard. Only allowed out front while both of us are out there, but his leash is always hooked on. He's been doing pretty good. But not yesterday, he took off and it was almost 20 minutes before I finally got ahold of him. Ohhh I wasn't very happy.

I'm glad you don't have any broken bones or anything. Hopefully today goes better for you. But I agree, I'd say it's back to the crate while you are gone for a little while anyways!

 

[jjmcintosh]

Couldn't agree more with boxer... without other signs of seperation anxiety, just a bored boxer looking to entertain itself. Definitely back to the crate, for his safety as well as the house. A blanket here, a pillow there is no comparison to the health or your dog. Back to the crate, and build slowly from there.

I hope you knee feels better. Good Luck.

 

[wnt2adpt]

Thanks you guys! I was kind of shocked since she's run out the door before, but she will always come back. We even let her outside off leash & she's never run before.

On the behavioural question though - without any other signs of separation anxiety, I would be more inclined to assume it was just a case of a bored boxer making her own fun

What other signs of separation anxiety were you looking for? Whining or barking? She doesn't do this at all when I put her in the crate - she actually loves it. She will go in there and sleep sometimes. I guess she is just bored but what could I do to keep her distracted? She gets a filled kong, and has several chew toys out when I leave her alone (out of crate). The bitter spray doesn't phase her!

Back to the crate is a good idea in the interim. Then you should start her out with limited periods of freedom in a puppy-proofed house/room. Until she is clear on what she can and can't chew, it just makes sense not to leave her with access to things she can get into, or too much freedom all at once.

Definitely! She will be there for a while at least until we can build up some trust again. As far as puppy proofed....I thought I did that! I took out every bit of paper she could get to, removed everything (except candles LOL) that she could bite. I have blankets over the couch and loveseat but that's it. I don't have a lot of stuff sitting around. I'm confused! I never thought she would touch a candle!

It must have been the day for that, because my day ended on a crappy note also. Koda also got out of the house.

I feel for you!! I'm glad you got him back though! Greta stays off leash all the time around my boyfriend's house, and sometimes my house, and she has never run off. I guess she knew she was in trouble big-time!!

Couldn't agree more with boxer... without other signs of seperation anxiety, just a bored boxer looking to entertain itself.

Same question - what other signs? Yelping, barking, whining, etc.? Is that what you're talking about? Just want to make sure I understand.

I totally agree with everyone on the crate. Thanks for the comments on my knee - it really hurts but it will get better!

 

[My Calla]

I would also say that it was boredom, or maybe even anger that you left. Calla only is destructive when we leave her unattended. For example, if both of us are outside and she can see us, I guess it makes her mad. She will grab stuff off of the counters or whatever she can get her little paws on and demolishes it. Or, if she knows that we are in another room she will sneak and tear the moss out of the bottom of the ficus tree (needless to say, there is no more moss).

 

[haleyandmark]

I'm sorry your day was so bad! It always scares me to think that Asia could dart out of the house but she is really good about listening if we call her back! I hope your knee is feeling better soon - and sorry to hear about the down comforter. We have a white one and I LOVE that thing ... Asia likes to make it into a pile but has never torn it ... yet! :rolleyes:

On a side note, My Calla, our babies have the same birthday!! :D

 

[My Calla]

Year and all, or just the day?

 

[haleyandmark]

Just the day ... when I first glanced at it, I thought it was the year and all! I'm still not "IN" 2005 here, !!

 

[dagney's mom]

tee hee! my boxers did the same thing! i had a baby gate in the long hallway in my bedroom where my monsters sleep with a downs comforter (stupid me!) they tore the blanket to sheds and there were little featers everywhere... then, one of them pooped!!! that was not a good orning...