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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog has eaten the cooker, overnight carnage

84 replies

Figgygal · 28/12/2020 07:52

Help

Rehomed a dog 9 weeks ago he’s a street dog and so unknown past, he’s beautiful, good natured, good with the kids, no accidents in the house, keen to please all good. Sleeps in the kitchen and apart from a couple nights unsettled sleeps roughly 10-6/7 there on his own. Initially intended to crate him but he didn’t like it and things were going well so didn’t need to.

He has been hundreds in vet bills however due to bad tummy which then was worms and giardia then kennel cough, that all seemed resolved until 23rd when he’s started shitting for England including multiple times over night so am getting up when I hear him but still having overnight accidents. Calling vet today

I can cope with an ill animal and vet bills hadn’t even had time to insure him when that started and had intended to do it this week since he had seemed better

However his behaviour at night has become destructive

20th went out for couple hours came home to him having pulled all the kitchen towels down from the hooks and unbelievably chewed off one of the cooker knobs, no damage done we thought though was a concern and since actually that knob won’t work

23rd come down in night as he wants out to find he’s turned the top oven on, pulled off the knob cracked it - scared half to death we could have gassed us in our beds so Xmas Eve made a chipboard barrier to slot in front of oven to stop him accessing. Stupidly sprayed it with dog deterrent spray which upset him until he was in such a state we had to let him sleep in the dining room which is next to kitchen. He pooed on floor 4 times that night

Last night he Barked and whined at bedtime for almost an hour, went to let him out for poo then he barked and whined again went down settled him, got to bed midnight 2.30 go down as hear him and he’s torn the barrier down, opened the top oven, I find the grill pan on the floor, he’s torn 4 of 6 knobs off cooker, turned the oven on and damaged the knob so much it won’t go back on, we now have 1 ring, small top oven and grill.

He’s actually broken our oven. He could blow up our house. Have had no sleep yet he’s now happy sleeping in the dining room, I think part of it is he wants to be in the dining room as it has full length windows he sits in there most days ignoring us looking out at the world but for various reasons we can’t give it over to him at night.

I don’t know what to do? Husband wants to give him back as he’s dangerous maybe he is right?

OP posts:
MajorMujer · 28/12/2020 07:55

He isn't dangerous, he has massive anxiety.
You need to help him, not palm him off .

BiteyShark · 28/12/2020 07:59

He sounds anxious. Have you spoken to a behaviourist to understand his behaviour?

billybagpuss · 28/12/2020 07:59

Can you crate train to keep him safe, then maybe the crate could go by he dining room windows at night so he is in his place.

billybagpuss · 28/12/2020 08:01

Sorry just read again he didn’t like it, maybe try again with the crate open in a place he likes to be. Definitely chat with behaviourist it is anxiety that with care you should be able to help him with

Briannaoftarth83 · 28/12/2020 08:01

Agree with PP, sounds like he is only being destructive through anxiety/fear?

Have you tried having him sleeping in another room? Or sleeping with him so he isn't alone?

You said you were initially thinking of crate training? Have you explored that option?

Are you in a position to speak with a dog behaviourist before just handing him back? I hate to be judgy but you must have anticipated there might be issues when you took a dog with an unknown past - surely you had plans in place to deal (like a behaviourist for example?)

ChessIsASport · 28/12/2020 08:01

Could you look at crate training? Have you asked the rescue centre for advice? I assume that you have probably already tried an adaptil plug-in and putting the radio on.

Another option is to sleep with him in the kitchen for a few nights.

Good luck. It sounds like hard work.

Original poster
Figgygal · 28/12/2020 08:01

Why has he developed anxiety in past week though?
Went out for 3 hours yesterday not a sign of damage found him happily sleeping though again that was in the dining room.

I’ve never given up an animal before so any suggestion of it will be hard fought by me but his behaviour IS unintentionally dangerous and I am not risking him starting a fire in the house.

OP posts:
ChessIsASport · 28/12/2020 08:05

Just had another thought. Could all the changes in routine over Christmas have unsettled him? Try and stick as much as possible to a strict routine so he has no worries about when walks, food and play time will come.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 28/12/2020 08:06

I'd be concerned about a street dog with no known history in a house with my kids.

ame88 · 28/12/2020 08:08

Maybe it's the kitchen he doesn't like?? Is there anywhere else he could sleep?
We have a rescue dog and the crate has become his own little safe place. Took us a while to get him used to it but he loves it now! So try again!

TTCAbroad · 28/12/2020 08:09

Join Dog Training Advice on Support on Facebook. They have so much information about dog behaviour/training and, if you can't find relevant information in the units, you can submit a question through messenger and a professional dog trainer will answer it.

Honestly - sometimes dogs seem like they are doing fine initially but they are just so scared it seems like good behaviour. As they start to become familiar with their surroundings they can start to act on their fear 'destructive' ways. Also, he's been sick and I imagine not feeling great which might be perpetrating this behaviour.

What you really need to be prepared for is this behaviour could take months of consistent training to remedy - there likely is not a quick fix.

Original poster
Figgygal · 28/12/2020 08:09

Am contacting the rescue today and the vet but with it being effectively bank holiday dont know whether will hear from them today and need a solution quickly.

As I said this has started In the last week and worst since 23rd so no chance to explore behaviourists with Christmas and weekends

We have had plenty of animals, including exotics but funnily enough never a dog (well I grew up with them) of our own we aren’t novices in terms of animal care and were expecting issues just didn’t foresee one to do with gas cookers Confused

The deterioration in behaviour started when his diarrhoea started again we put him back on panacur Christmas Eve but it’s made no difference so far.

He sleeps with a radio and low lighting already the only thing I can think has changed in last week is his tummy again

OP posts:
HermioneMakepeace · 28/12/2020 08:13

Can you try the crate in the dining room, in the place that he likes to sit?

readyforachangemaybe · 28/12/2020 08:14

I'd go for a qualified behaviourist in the first instance, not some nonsense 'dog whisperer' with no qualifications who still thinks dogs are trying to be dominant. Institute of modern dog trainers, association of pet behaviour counsellors, PACT, or anyone listed on Animal behaviour training counsel (ABTC). Expect to pay £250-300 depending on where in the country that you are (whereabouts are you? I might know someone).

I would have him sleeping upstairs with you in your room. Night is a dangerous time for street dogs, so they always sleep in groups. Get him settled in your room in his own bed (if he tries to get in bed with you, get up, put him back in his own bed, and repeat, even if it takes him 4 hours to get the message. That will get him sleeping through the night with stressy destruction. Then gradually, over the weeks, begin to move him out of the room, a metre or so at a time (if you don't want him sleeping in there long term).

Join some separation anxiety groups on Facebook- separation anxiety with Julie Naismith is a good one, and canine enrichment to help meet his needs other than exercise. Also do some YouTube videos on dog body language (Kristin Crestejo is brilliant, as is kikopup) then spend some time filming your pup so you can learn to pin point how he is feeling.

It often takes dogs 6 months or more to really get settled in (which isn't to say he will continue to be as destructive as he is now). Street dogs have some terrible experiences and it's a genuine trauma for them. He needs security, consistency and patience.

Lifeispassingby · 28/12/2020 08:15

Would he rather sleep in the dining room? He seems happier in there than the kitchen? Remember with dogs that have been mistreated or traumatised there can be unknown triggers-it could be something as simple as a noise or the temperature that causes this reaction in him. Alternatively invest time in crate training him. If he is eating things to that extent it’s a safety issue for him (and for your home!) and needs to be tackled, but it’s bound to take time

readyforachangemaybe · 28/12/2020 08:16

Just read your message. Destructive behaviours often go hand in hand with gastrointestinal stuff. Hopefully when you manage to get him in to the vets it'll sort itself out

Lifeispassingby · 28/12/2020 08:17

Also his tummy issues could be anxiety led- my dog (who has had a very happy cosy life) poops when it is windy, thundery etc she even did it in the day when the builders were working across the road

twinkletoesimnot · 28/12/2020 08:26

Panacur us a wormer - it isn't going to settle his tummy and may well lead to resistance.

I think crate training is the way to go to keep him and your house safe.

Original poster
Figgygal · 28/12/2020 08:31

@twinkletoesimnot

Panacur us a wormer - it isn't going to settle his tummy and may well lead to resistance.

I think crate training is the way to go to keep him and your house safe.

Panacur was prescribed by vet for the giardia infection, his poo was back to normal for 2 weeks but they did warn it can be hard to get rid of it so we have second round of treatment if needed
OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 28/12/2020 08:34

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious here, but if he's happy in the dining room - is there any reason why you keep putting him in the kitchen?

Surely the ideal answer is to pop his bed in the dining room overnight and when you go out?

Ylvamoon · 28/12/2020 08:35

I think the obvious thing is to create train him and let him sleep in the dining room!
Or, if you have a secure garden, consider a kennel - some rescues/ street dogs are happier outside.

You only had him 9 weeks, it takes time for them to settle. It's an on going process. Add Christmas and change in routine and it can be overwhelming.
I think the "love affair" with the cooker is simple. SMELL! All the delicious food that comes from there... It's a must have!
I owned an ex street dog, she would personally guard any meat in the oven. No food could ever be left out. Raided countless bins, picnics (other people's - she was cute which saved us on many occasions!) and was skilled in opening food packaging. I would never leave her in the kitchen unattended.
Also, repeat his worm treatment... that may cure his tummy issues. It may be as simple as being hungry...

Porridgeoat · 28/12/2020 08:37

Put him in a crate at night

Porridgeoat · 28/12/2020 08:39

Can his crate go upstairs so it’s close to you?

TheShepherdsCrown · 28/12/2020 08:39

@readyforachangemaybe

I'd go for a qualified behaviourist in the first instance, not some nonsense 'dog whisperer' with no qualifications who still thinks dogs are trying to be dominant. Institute of modern dog trainers, association of pet behaviour counsellors, PACT, or anyone listed on Animal behaviour training counsel (ABTC). Expect to pay £250-300 depending on where in the country that you are (whereabouts are you? I might know someone).

I would have him sleeping upstairs with you in your room. Night is a dangerous time for street dogs, so they always sleep in groups. Get him settled in your room in his own bed (if he tries to get in bed with you, get up, put him back in his own bed, and repeat, even if it takes him 4 hours to get the message. That will get him sleeping through the night with stressy destruction. Then gradually, over the weeks, begin to move him out of the room, a metre or so at a time (if you don't want him sleeping in there long term).

Join some separation anxiety groups on Facebook- separation anxiety with Julie Naismith is a good one, and canine enrichment to help meet his needs other than exercise. Also do some YouTube videos on dog body language (Kristin Crestejo is brilliant, as is kikopup) then spend some time filming your pup so you can learn to pin point how he is feeling.

It often takes dogs 6 months or more to really get settled in (which isn't to say he will continue to be as destructive as he is now). Street dogs have some terrible experiences and it's a genuine trauma for them. He needs security, consistency and patience.

Excellent advice here. Street dogs often have traumatic backgrounds. They need to be helped into normal family life and can benefit so much from professional help.
Leonberger · 28/12/2020 08:39

You really are making life harder that it needs to be for all of you here.

If the dog is happy in the dining room, let it sleep there and solve the problem Confused

If it’s anxiety, every time you shut it in the kitchen which clearly is a scary place you are reinforcing this behaviour and it will only get worse.

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