Friday 5 March 2010

Bought the kids a dog... he's chewing into everything... including my writing time... HELP!!!

I'd like to introduce you all to the new addition the Bury household... RILEY. Before anyone asks, 'What's this got to do with crime, Col?' see below for the criminal damage!!!

Now I know the old saying, 'A Dog's for life, not just for Christmas,' and I have raised a Bordie Collie before and trained him to a high standard. However, that was pre-kids and pre-writing/editing, and I'm finding six month old RILEY to be a bloody handful. It seems Golden Labs' are much more boisterous than I envisaged. He's chewing everything...!
Mandy's shoes...£35.00.. Ker-ching!
Laminate flooring trim... £20.00...
Plastic bin...£10.00....
Leather football...£15.00...
Washing basket...£12.00...
Daughter's headband...£2.00...
Son's lunchbox full of food...£20.00...
Tights, socks, misc' clothes...£30.00...
Toys, dolls, etc... £25.00...
Son's remote control kick up ball (pictured)...£8.00...
MY COAT...£35.00!!!
His own new bed...£12.00...
The kids' hands...priceless!
Grand total (so far!)...£224.00...Ker-fookin-ching!!!

Now I know he's still a puppy and teething, and some of you may find this funny, but it's wearing a bit thin when in the midst of it so I'm open to advice.

On the positive side at least he's not pooing n weeing in the house and he does bark at the door if he wants to...but, boy, can this guy dump for England... he's like a 'Play-Dough' machine!

Regards,
Bog-eyed Col.

Ps. I know I'm leaving myself wide open for sarcasm here, but seriously Riley is on his final warning so all sensible suggestions welcome.

14 comments:

Paul D Brazill said...

yep, a Man U shirt should ruin his appetite.

Steven Chapman said...

Try this Col, some basic things to try:

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/ccp51/cc/dog-behaviour/chewing.shtml

The Kong one is a must, my GSD loves his!

bored_robots

Lee Hughes said...

*Picks up cock after laughing it off*

Nothing sensible to add mate. Good luck.

David Barber said...

You're right Col..."a dog isn't just for Christmas." They taste great in a Boxing Day curry too! It doesn't seem that long ago we we're young, free and single. Remember when your Collie savaged my hand? ;-)

Watch your back, Mr Brazill. :-)

Alan Griffiths said...

Well, you have always been full of shaggy dog stories Col!

Regards.

Unknown said...

I knew I'd left me-self wide 'ere!

Paul - like the idea, but the one in our house has poo all over it where I've wiped me arse, so that would be unfair!

Steve - thanks a lot for the SENSIBLE advice.

Lee - doin' the same after that comment!

Dave - LOL. I remember it well. At least Riley's not like that.

Al - I thought of puttin' the same comment in my write up, but knew someone would refer to it... great minds...

Liz Brownlee said...

Hi Col... speaking as someone with a new puppy at feet, who has read 35 dog books up till this point... you have to give them something to chew. Especially labs. SIX chew toys a day and rotate them. Plus loo rolls, kitchen roll innards. Get the chew toys that can be stuffed with kibble or treats, take this amount off the labs food allowance, and stuff the toys. We have several kong toys and a ball which as it rolls lets out the occasional treat. Try and pen the dog somewhere where there aren't too many things to chew. Give chew toys to dog and make sure it always has some.

I have no writing time though. I'm watching it the whole time. BUT this stage should only last for a few weeks till it gets the idea...own toys ok to chew, other stuff not ok to chew.

Katherine Moriarty said...

Awwww Col. I'm afraid I don't know how to help exactly, but I hope things sort out soon!

I suppose you could be thankful he's not chewing up your ACTUAL writing...because that would be mean.

He is cute though...

Pixie x

Unknown said...

PoetL - that's really helpful. Many thanks for taking the trouble to share that advice; it's really appreciated.

Pixie - nice to hear from you.

Unknown said...

I missed off dustpan n brush. Now I don't have owt to sweep up with... great!

David Barber said...

Yes you do. ME. I done it for your on Friday before our beers but I'm never doing it naked for you again.

Unknown said...

LMAO.
Dave, shh... you'll get people talking n our wives might spank us ... with a bit of luck!

S J Bradley said...

....get a cat?!!

[Sorry, I know that's not much help. My old landlady's puppy ate a pair of my work shoes once. What can I tell you? The buggers are insatiable....]

I linked to this post on my blog, as well, just so you know!

Unknown said...

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the suggestion! :)

And for the mention. Read your BNP post, too, but really didn't know what to say!!!

Tonto anthol's soon... tick, tock... can't wait.