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From: joe@ccice2.UUCP (Joe DiBenedetto II)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Schnoodle needs help (reposting)
Message-ID: <673@ccice2.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-Oct-85 12:47:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: ccice2.673
Posted: Tue Oct 22 12:47:37 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Oct-85 06:53:52 EDT
References: <102@rruxg.UUCP>
Organization: CCI Central Engineering, Rochester, NY
Lines: 74

> [generic bug killer line]
> Over the past year my family's ten year old Schnoodle (1/2 Schnauzer
> 1/2 Poodle) has started ripping up door and window screens, door
> moldings and even doors themselves in order to try to get out of the
> house.  When he finally manages to get out, he will slip under
> a fence and either sit in the front yard, walk down to the 
> street corner or cross the street to a friend's house.  He does not 
> wander too far, but the streets are busy and there are trolley tracks
> in back of our house.  
> 
> It is not difficult to find a deep reason for why he is doing this.   
> My father (with whom Frisker was closest) died two years ago.  
> My mother has gone back to work and my sister is at college most days.  
> Until a year or two ago, there was always someone to keep Frisker company
> (My father's office adjoined the house).  Now he is alone for
> 8 hours at a time.  
> 
> Frisker is afraid of flying bugs (This fear developed about 4 or 5 years
> ago, we thing as a result of a bee sting).  The first few times this
> destructive behavior occurred, we were not sure whether it was 
> prompted by loneliness or bug terror.  At least once, though, he has
> dragged my father's favorite chair to the center of the living room (and
> this is a SMALL dog and a BIG chair).
> 
> Anyway, I keep getting these phone calls from my mother who is
> pretty upset.  She has replaced doors and window screens several
> times and does not want this to continue.  She has corrected the
> dog.  He seems to know that what he is doing is wrong, but does it
> anyway, probably panicking.
> 
> Getting another dog to keep Frisker company is not an option.  
> And, since I live in a no-pets apartment I can't take him.  Even if
> I could, I am home less (and at odder times) than my mother.
> We've thought about trying to install a "doggie-door."  
> 
> If anyone has any helpful suggestions, please mail them to me.
> I will be happy to post a summary.
> 
> Kim Donnelly
> BellCore
> ihnp4!rruxg!kfd

<Boy what a mixture of a dog, I am really not into mixed breeds, I am
mainly into Lhasas and Tibeten Terriers(not a terrier). Probably some
day into the later breed.
 
<I can see a problem already. It is the fact that the dog is now left alone
<all day after all these years. Tell me if you were with someone all day
<for several years and now you just changed your way of living, what would
<you do ? There is a way to solve this problem which shall take maybe a
<weeks. The first solution is to think in terms of goinf to the airport
<and investing in an airlines crate. Most dog fanciers use them as a house
<hold item for there dogs that they own. It saves on destruction of your home,
<including going on the carpets in the house. You have to buy the size that
will be a comfort to your dog. For this purposes buy a 200 size crate or maybe
<a 300 size, which may be a little big, but it will be roomy for him. This is
<not a cruel measure to do this, it will take some getting use to but it
<does work. If you do buy one put him in it with the door shut of course for
<short periods of time, then longer periods of time. Start it first on 
<weekends while they are home to watch him, then as time goes on put him in
<it for longer durations. This method will probably save his live and save
<him from looking for another home, which I sense. The second method is to
<invest your method in a x-pen. Buy one high enough so he can't jump out,
<about 4 feet is enough. This way gives your dog more freedom in a 
confined area. Keep it downstairs in your basement which will be okay as
<long as the basement is not cold and musty. eather way will work fine.
<If you want to use the second method then I can give you the name and
<address of a wholesale magazine you can buy the x-pen from if you are
<interested. I final method is one that you did not want to try. It is
<a very good idea too. Buy him a companion. That also works too. Well
<I hoped I helped out and good luck.


			Joe D. ccice2:joe