Gonzo is almost two - just a few more days. I've heard that bigger dogs are puppies longer. Ugh! What would take Penny an hour to destroy takes Gonzo two bites. The list is long of things that he has destroyed: paper, pens, pencils, toys, blankets, couch cushions, pillows, chairs, carpet, doors, baseboards, recliners, bed frames, towels, washcloths, clothes, rugs, rags, and QUILTS! Did that get your attention?!
Part of the problem, besides puppyhood, is that he has a lot of energy. Lots! And if he can't find a good outlet for this energy, he takes it out on the house. He's not spiteful, he's just bored. Billy used to walk him twice a day. But in the past months, Billy has been unable to walk him due to pain in his hip. After surgery and with recovery, Billy is still unable to walk him at least for a few more weeks. "How about you walk him?" you ask. Well, sometimes I did, but not faithfully. Usually at the end of a long day, I either didn't have the time or energy to do it.
Cue the heavenly music.
Recently I saw a women riding her bike with her dog on a leash trotting along beside her. Gee! Why didn't I ever think of that! Well, we did a long time ago. But Gonzo promptly stuck is muzzle into the moving wheel spokes and that ended it. I thought it was time to try again. Introducing the bike run! I ride my bike and he runs along beside. We've been going everyday or every other day and we both enjoy it. I like that it only takes a few minutes, and Gonzo is pooped by the time we get home. And I've managed not to fall off the bike, and he has managed not to stick his face in the spokes or get run over by me. He hasn't been so destructive, and I haven't had murderous thoughts about him. A win win situation.
after a bike run (I would like to take a picture of us in action, but that is just asking for an accident!)
I even kinda like him again.
15 comments:
I'm so happy you both found something that works for both of you! Yayyy for riding bikes and more yayy for a doggy that destroys less. It's a win win all around!
I used to have a dog, Rufus. He was a cute pooch. He didn't destroy anything, so I guess we were very lucky. I thought that I trained him not to lie on the sofa, but I found out that I had trained him not to get caught on the sofa.
cute post! no dogs here! my kids do all the destroying by themselves! and they can ride their own bikes :-)
These are great photos! My brother has three(!) dogs like Gonzo that he inherited when he got married, and he also takes one or two for walks by riding his bike-sometimes he pulls out his old skateboard and lets the dog pull him. Great way to get out excess energy! Love your blog!
chewed up those lovely quilts...oh dear, but we do love our dogs. hope the bike riding will quell some of that appetite for textiles!
What do you expect when you name a dog Gonzo? They do live up to their names!
In addition to physical exercise, you may find that 5 minutes a day of mental training will help Gonzo settle down. I set up obstacle courses for my dog, listening to me and performing a series of tricks really wears my little guy out!
Great pictures of both dogs!
Ahh, I discovered that I have to put our newly adopted rescue dog in a crate when we leave, after I saw him try and remove a quilt from the wall! He only does these things when he thinks we aren't looking. Oh, they are smart ones. But you are right, exercise does help. Love your blog.
Yeah, but your house wouldn't be the same without him!
I'm so glad you are working things out :) When our dog was a pup we had a few sore spots, but never a quilt lost! Ouch!
whew! he gets to live!
I so enjoyed this blog entry! I am happy you have found a solution.
Oh your puppies are cute!! How can you not love that floppy slobbery face? Awww!! Can't you make him his own destructo quilt to have at it as he pleases? Or is batting a recipe for doggie colon disaster?
both dogs are so cute. our beagle chewed everything in sight until he was bout two and ahalf.....
Love the photos of the pups. Which photo program do you use to get the 9 patch photos?
I know he drives you nuts, but those eyes were meant to be forgiven. He has a face an angel would wish for and a Gonzo needs! :)
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