The Dopey Dirt Bag

[pastafreak]

He just ate a whole packet...150gm...of dehydrated ox tail. It was a TREAT...and it's all gone. I'd cleaned the packets that came in a delivery, left it out in the hall...and he found it. Wouldn't let me near as he spent 45 minutes munching his way through it. Left the bag at least...
I'm waiting for the repercussions.

[Mamyalynne]

He may start mooing.

[pastafreak]

He's sound asleep right now. He came to me looking very sheepish after his growly eating binge.

[Mamyalynne]

Bless him.

[sanmac]

Whatcha got there, pasta, is a delinquent child. Put him in the dog-house...That'll learn him.

[ladybirder]

Got your mop and bucket ready?

[pastafreak]

I'm hoping it's not needed. It was natural healthy stuff. Though I realise it may be too much of a good thing.
I'm too used to a well behaved girlie who would never have thought if doing such a thing.

[Old_Geezer]

Is this about your hubby ?

[MartinMillar]

Lol oh dear, if his stomach start making a growly noise pop him out

[Tilly2]

One of our dogs, Hooch, once chased a pheasant, swam through a moat and caught it on the other side of the moat. We stood for ages waiting for him to finish it off as we weren't prepared to wade through the moat to get him back.

Warning...the house stank for days afterwards but Hooch didn't seem to have any other physical side effects. Just the disgusting, putrid flatulence. :-)

[Gill1941]

Everything goes in. Frozen smoked haddock, chocolate cake, lemon drizzle cake (a whole one).
Stomachs of iron - nothing seems to upset them. Mine could eat anything with no ill effects.
Just don't leave anything remotely edible lying around within his reach!

[pastafreak]

Gilli...I really didn't think he smell it through what was a very tough heavy duty bag. But he's fine. Ate normally last night. No gurgles...and this morning his first poo was the most normal he's had. Greyhounds tend to have softies. :(

[AuntPollyGrey]

Are you not a bit worried he growled at you? I think you should have been a bit more assertive and perhaps tried to get the bag off him. He has unfortunately learned you are someone he can show aggression to without consequence. And I bet you gave him a pat when he came up to you afterwards all doey eyed? ....sigh......

[aelmpvw]

^ ael puts down his midday snack for later ...

[barry1010]

What do you mean, he wouldn't let you near? That's not good.

[pastafreak]

Food guarding and sleep startle are VERY common traits in greyhounds...more so in ex racers. They are not like other dogs due to their background.
NO....it would not have been a good idea to try to remove the bag. I did try to distract him, but decided it was not worth it.
What "consequence " do you suggest, APG? A smack around the snout, yelling at him. Do tell, please.
Tomorrow I will be in touch with the behaviourist I've been working with.

[pixie374]

I had one that used to guard, not food, just paper, if he could get it. The worst thing to do is to wrestle it off them, as it shows they were right, and they become more aggressive next time. The best way is to try to reassure them, and if possible, "swap" it for a treat.
That wouldn't have worked probably in this case, but he needs to start by letting pasta near him while he is eating etc. It'll be a process rather than a fight. But would be interested to see what your trainer says, pasta.

[barry1010]

You have to be able to take things off your dog in case he decides to eat something that will make him very ill.

[pastafreak]

Than you pixie x I've just been reading on trading up training. But what the behaviourist recommends comes first.

Yes Barry, I will. But it will take time as he needs to trust me. He's only been here a month and there is much for him to get used to.

As for the bag he ate...as a new food, I was going to ration it in smaller bits. He must have thought he'd died and gone to doggy heaven...

[pixie374]

Well, he had a good time with no ill effects... :-) you'll know to keep it out of reach now x

[pastafreak]

It's how we learn x