tearing up puppy pads

starrystarry
edited January 2009 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
hey, so toki has taken to tearing up his puppy pads which he had no problems with before. is this a sign that he is bored and needs more exercise ie. walking?
or is this a common problem, any suggestions on fixing this problem?

Comments

  • KaddyKaddy
    edited November -1
    Keiko used to like to play with hers too... not really sure why, but I didn't worry about it. I think the crinkly-ness probably just makes them think of it as something fun to rip to shreds!!
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited January 2009
    I don't remember how old Toki is, but maybe he's reached the "Rebellious" phase? ;)


    Or maybe he's gotten bored? Have you been walking with him less? Or has there been a significant change in his routine?





    Or MAYBE he's just figured out how much fun shredding them is! Or, he could be doing it just to mess with your mind. [ you poor, poor, shiba slave ;) ] ~
  • wliu003wliu003
    edited November -1
    i would just be consistent with correcting toki and redirecting him to his toys.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    Everyone I know has had to go through this. Miko DESTROYED her puppy pads and we tried EVERYTHING. Count your blessing though, my friend Chris went through this with his English Mastiff!
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    I tried puppy pads twice for the times I was gone several hours and Beebe was in the kitchen, thinking, in my ignorant new shiba ownerness, she would naturally be drawn to pee on them. She destroyed them completely, probably as soon as she was done probing all the possible escape routes, refusing to go in her "den". I stopped using them altogether when her day care said she just shreds any pee pad she can find, so it was obviously a game for her.

    Is Toki still potty training or does he really even need the pads?
  • DizKaiMoDizKaiMo
    edited November -1
    Haha, Hokkaido does that. He likes to shred paper and has discovered that the pads pretty much ARE paper.

    I can't really offer any suggestions. Normally, it'd be the usual....tell her no when she tries...but puppy pads are OBVIOUSLY for times you aren't there. :)
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Sake starting tearing up her puppy pads so we stopped using them and she was potty trained! I guess it was her way of saying "Get these things outta the kitchen, Im a big girl now!"
  • starrystarry
    edited November -1
    Toki is 5 months, he is going to get his final shot tomorrow so he has not had any regular outside exercise. I just play ball with him inside right now.
    I have never owned an inside dog, strictly outside dogs only, so I don't really understand this concept of being potty trained...does this mean he always pees on his pad?
    Or is there a way to progress his potty training so he does not need the puppy pads anymore, that would be great cause they can add up :I
    If so how is it done, and what happens when you are away for hours at a time, is that when you use the pads?
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    How long is "hours" at a time? I've had Ichi in his crate for as long as 5 hours at a time (he's 5 months old btw) and had no problem with him needing to go to the bathroom. However, as soon as I'm home from work, we're outside and walking.

    I think it was Dave that mentioned it elsewhere in the forum, but a safe rule of thumb to abide by for a puppy's bladder control is that they can "hold it" for x + 1 hours where x is the dog's age in months.

    Jesse
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Jesse, that's a good guideline for potty training and in general.

    Also, as long as the pup has started on the shots, is healthy, and is not going in high traffic areas like dog parks/around sick dogs and you are careful where you let him play, I think the benefits of being outside, socializing and exploring the world by far outweigh the risk of catching a bug. Besides, most pups want to go away from the den to potty by the time they are 8-9 weeks anyways. Try taking the pads away and leave him in his area for a short time over a few days. Gradually increase the time he is without the pads (unless you are intending to have the pads always available if he is to be an "inside dog" and never go outside.) If you can take him outside to potty as soon as you return, great, praise him when he does, you may have to bring a pad with you at first as he is used to them. Habits formed and kept long enough are much harder to break, so I would work on removing the pads permanently unless you do plan to have him go in the house for the rest of his life.
  • RomiRomi
    edited January 2009
    Try this: http://www.amazon.com/Iris-301565-Floor-Protection-Training/dp/B0006ABVGQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1233079340&sr=8-3

    I bought it for when we first got Portia and had her potty training on pads. It locks in the pads so they can't chew it. Of course if your pup is REALLY determined...they will probably find a way to get to it. However, it worked great for us!
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    I own that. Miko destroyed it and the pads in less than a week. But I know Brad has said that Shikoku are more determined than shiba so maybe you would have better luck.
  • starrystarry
    edited November -1
    haha, I bought that gadget to lock in the pads just a few days ago and in seconds he had dug out the pad and shredded it...and then I posted this discussion thread because I was at a loss
    anyway, toki is not confined to his cage, he gets to hang out in the laundry room all day and the pads are out in the corner and he picks them up and tears into them. although, he seems to do it less now as we are back to using the generic less scented pad. In any case I am away for 12 hours at a time cause of work so he'll probably need the pads when I am gone. but I think I can work on getting him to go outside when I am home...would doing both pad and outdoor pottying be too confusing?
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    I would strongly suggest hiring a dog walker. Or enrolling in doggy day care. 12 hours is way too long for any dog to be alone.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    My dogs are alone for 8 hours and I think that is way too long! I have a dog walker / sitter. She comes over and plays with the kids and lets them out in the backyard every day and walks them Tuesdays and Thursdays. Im worried about moving, I will have to find a new Amber! (thats her name!)
  • starrystarry
    edited November -1
    oh doggy day care would be great if I worked in the daytime, I unfortunately work the night shift, but I work 4 days a week so that's a plus...I currently have student housemates who see him throughout the day and night as apparently they have lots of time on their hands (don't we all wish we could be in college again). However, I am moving out alone in a few months, anyone have suggestions on walker/sitters or day cares that do nights (roughly 9:30pm-9am as that is when I am gone). Toki has hung out with other dogs ones we know and are up to date on shots, but has not really been out and about walking the streets and the parks. As an update he is got his final shot so I'll be starting a walk/run routine. He now has an appointment for being neutered as he is approaching 6 months...anyone have any advice or warnings about the recovery period?
  • KaddyKaddy
    edited November -1
    Cherie - I'm in Portland and would be SUPER happy to have something to do in the evenings.

    Right now I only have an obligation on Thursday nights, but if that didn't work out I know my partner would be thrilled to help out as well. I'll whisper you my e-mail/phone number in case you're interested.
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