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Strongly recommend crating when not home or able to supervise

Posted By: OldMT on 2008-12-14
In Reply to: Lots of teething toys and crate training - sm -

We adopted a 1 yo Rottweiler who literally ate the couch after he totally destroyed the living room, tore curtains from the windows, spread trash from the kitchen throughout, shredded newspapers, had the stuffing out of the pillows . . . all in one day!  I was at my wit's end and called the vet, who recommended a crate for when we weren't home or if he needed a "timeout."  It worked great.  We used it for about 1-1/2 years.  He was having separation anxiety, so he was only in there when we both were gone.  She may have to do it at night too, depending on when the dog is chewing things.  Our dog started sleeping in there at other times with the door open.  He loved it.  It's not cruel if used correctly and not as a punishment.  It saves a lot of stress for both the dog and the owner. 


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Strongly recommend crating when not home or able to supervise
We adopted a 1 yo Rottweiler who literally ate the couch after he totally destroyed the living room, tore curtains from the windows, spread trash from the kitchen throughout, shredded newspapers, had the stuffing out of the pillows . . . all in one day!  I was at my wit's end and called the vet, who recommended a crate for when we weren't home or if he needed a "timeout."  It worked great.  We used it for about 1-1/2 years.  He was having separation anxiety, so he was only in there when we both were gone.  She may have to do it at night too, depending on when the dog is chewing things.  Our dog started sleeping in there at other times with the door open.  He loved it.  It's not cruel if used correctly and not as a punishment.  It saves a lot of stress for both the dog and the owner. 
For a young cat with no playmates, I would strongly recommend - (sm)
that you have your catsitter come daily. When I went on a trip and for cheapness reasons had my sitter come every other day, he was oh, so lonely and depressed. Having the radio on did help - that was her idea. But daily visits are better, then kitty has something to look forward to. Hopefully MIL will play with her too!

Another hint: My CA suddenly got very ill with kidney failure a number of years later, while I was also away on a trip. THANK GOODNESS my sitter came every day, or she would have found a dead kitty. She took him to an emergency vet that saved his life.

Now I always leave ALL necessary info. for the sitter: Vet's number & how to get there, as well as emergency vet. I also leave a blank check made out to EACH vet (regular & emerg.), because the sitter had to cough up a $500 deposit out of her own pocket the first time.

Other ideas: I leave a couple extra bowls of water around the house, especially in the summertime.

If kitty likes treats, sometimes it's fun to hide some around the house so that she has to "hunt" for them.

I unplug things she is capable of turning on - such as the paper shredder and both computer printers, since mine is so fond of turning them on.

For young cats especially, the toilet bowl lid should be down, to prevent accidental drowning.

Also, it's wise in any case to have kitty microchipped... provides a little peace of mind, should the unthinkable happen and she gets out and gets lost.

Providing a brand-new and very interesting toy just as you leave gives them something new to think about. Or else hiding an old favorite for a few days before you leave, and then presenting it again just before you leave.

I live in an apt., so I have a little sign in the door that says "In case of fire, please save me" (along with a photo of my cat.)
I strongly disagree!.
I think everybody remembers the 'first time'.
It is said that no woman forgets her first lover and even if they might part, she will always have a special place in her heart for him. (Well, not everyone, it depends on him, too)
crating
Why can't you take your dog with you when you leave the house?  Roll down the back window of your car, put it in the back seat and let it breathe in the air.  Do you shove your kids in a cage when you leave the house?  I mean c'mon.  This is a member of your family.  You took on responsibility for her when you bought her.  Dogs need to be with their "packs" and not shoved aside in a cage.  Seriously, I just don't understand your mentality.
Have you tried crating him?
Is there a crate big enough for him? At least in a crate, he would be unable to get out and unable to follow you across town. Just a thought. Dogs are *cave* animals and sometimes feel safer when they're in their den. I hear stories from my neighbors that my dog barks when I leave him home alone, barking like he misses me. Poor doggies, huh?
I believe strongly in gender rolls...
I know that this statement will be contraversial, but I think that the best way to keep a marriage healthy is to subscribe to traditional gender rolls. While I believe that marriages can last when other agreements are made, I think that straying from traditional gender rolls is a big cause of the increase in divorce. Yes, my husband does clean some and, obviously, I work, but for the most part, I take care of the house and the babies and he brings home the money. We are very happy this way. I am not saying that it cannot work another way, I think that it is a lot to ask of a husband to do both and a lot of women do.
I really see and feel strongly about both points of view here. sm
I will say I am a Catholic, and a divorced one. I am not practicing at this point, but I am not an unbeliever...exactly. I consider myself a gnostic Catholic, and that is a story for another day.

The so-called Christian morals we have in this country are SELF-IMPOSED. They are with all religions. I consider myself a Christian, so I don't believe in sin because well, Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin...even BEFORE we think about sinning. So, some of this I don't buy into.

If anyone thinks they have the slightest idea of what God wants them to do, they need therapy! WHY would any of us think we know the mind of the Divine??? I don't care how religious you are, YOU DO NOT KNOW THE MIND OF GOD.

I was in an extremely abusive marriage. He abused me, the kids, our minds, our bodies, our hearts, our souls. I was married in the Catholic church and I am still married in the church, having a divorce without an annulment. I made the commitment to keep only to this one man and that I have done. I live celibate for a number of reasons and my spoken commitment in the Catholic church is one of them.

Their respective marriages are over and not because of each other. They are free to be together if they choose to do so. Being arrogant enough to think he knows what God would want, yes he needs therapy! I think he is a bad bet for her because he will always come right back to what God would want, has no ability to exercise the Free Will God gave him, can't think for himself and would be pretty useless as a husband. This may, in fact, be what drove his wife to kick him out! Milquetoast!
I'm sorry. I know I keep posting replies but I feel strongly about this (sm)
my mother was molested by her stepfather, back in the late 40s/early 50s when no one did much about those kinds of things. He also molested her sister, who ran away and got married at age 13 to escape him. He then molested my sister (yes my mother took us to visit them!) and probably me, although I don't have any memory of it. Also most likely my young female cousins who lived there. My point is...a person who would do this type of thing will not just stop. He has probably done it to others too that you don't know about. Look how long it took your sisters to tell you. I am so sorry. But you have to do something. And if you end up in court during a divorce, your sisters have to speak up for you. You are all going to have to stand together. I can tell you really love him and you don't want to believe this. It looks like you are going to have to believe it. If he did this to children, there is something wrong with him. Something inside him is broken, not working right, and you can't fix it. You are going to have to gather all your courage and leave. I am currently in the process of seperating also, but with a different set of circumstances not involving anything like you are dealing with. If you want to email me and just have someone to vent to, please feel do. Again, I am so sorry. Please go get a free consultation or a paid consultation with an attorney. If you go to church, go speak to someone at your church. You have to do something, I'm sorry.
I strongly believe that time and place we die is predestined...
I came twice into situations where I escaped death.
Yes, very good point on crating!
The poor animals simply become conditioned (brainwashed) basically because they have no other choice. Crates are used because owners are too lazy to take a couple weeks of physically teaching a dog to toilet outside. There are much better and more humane ways than crating.
Last resort - crating at night

I know cats aren't as amenable to crating as dogs, but if it were me, I would get one of those hard-sided plastic crates and put the little bugger in there and put the crate as far away from the bedroom as possible. It comes down to a question of who's running the show, you or him? It sounds like it's either that or giving him away. IMO, no one should put up with an animal that is destructive. There are ways to help train them to be less destructive, or to confine them to prevent them from being destructive. If that doesn't work, it's time to start looking for another home for the animal.


But that's JMHO.


crating is a good idea, but
there's a way to do it. If he's never been in a crate before, you can't just put him in there & lock the door & leave. Here's an article about training puppies to use a crate, getting them used to it gradually. A lot of it would be good for an older dog, too.
I like the idea of not crating now that dog is mature enough. Never heard of that sm
and sounds like a possible solution to OP's problems. She did say that the dog was just fine next to her while sleeping on the couch. Good idea. She should try this.
crating is just a polite word for caging.
Hopefully the Buddhists are right about reincarnation. Anybody who would put an animal in a cage (which is exactly what a crate is) deserves that same fate--to be at the mercy of the type of ''superior'' human being, lacking compassion, who can still get a good night's sleep after doing that to an animal. Yes, an overweight pet will probably have a shorter life--that's just how it goes. But it will certainly have a happier life than the poor unfortunate one whose oh-so-powerful owner ''runs the show'' at its expense and sticks it in a cage for her own convenience. Have a little compassion and try putting yourself in the place of the animal. ''Run your show'' in ways that don't involve breaking an animal's spirit and making its life miserable. In short, pick on something your own size (mentally and physically)--not an animal.
I would recommend it 100%.
http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=womansupport&id=437

Take it from someone who had HPV and infertility issues. Procedures done for HPV related cervical problems can lead to infertility. The vaccine can prevent the HPV virus while Paps can only detect it after it's already there. I think it is a wise choice to do both.
Can anyone recommend...

A reasonably-priced cell phone company?? My husband has a calling plan through Verizon and we get 100 minutes for $25.  He hardly ever uses his cell phone, yet the bills have been in the $70s and $80s every month, and they do not provide a record of the calls being made, to prove that he is not making $80 worth of calls a month. 


I am done with this, and want to find a company that has reasonably-priced plans for people who don't use their cell phone much.  I think I'm really getting ripped off here.  For those of you who feel you are getting a good deal with your cell phone company, who do you use, and what are you paying?  Thanks!


I don't recommend everyone just
jump on the medication wagon. I believe prayer is a strong influence, but if you have done all of that and you have issues that are effecting your every day life and they are chemical...why not take a medication? If you have heart disease you take a pill. If you have cancer you take meds/surgery/whatever. If you are diabetic you modify your diet, exercise AND likely take meds. Mental health issues are always touchy. For years I was ashamed of being depressed and denied myself the diagnosis and even treatment which had a far worse effect on me by causing my depression to get worse and become suicidal because I felt like a failure because I could not just "suck it up" like everyone told me to do. It is not easy to live with these disorders. Accepting them and finding ways to have a better life while dealing with them is important. Meds are not for everyone. I don't like chemicals in my body...I got my tubes tied so I wouldn't have to take birth control. I never take pain relievers unless prescribed and if so...very scant amounts.

Medication is not a bandaid. It is a tool to recovery.

I say consult with your doctor and do what you feel is best for yourself. Do not allow others to sway you to take them or not take them. It is your body. Not all meds work the same on everyone either.

Believe me...I have prayed and prayed and prayed and finally it was God who allowed me to forgive myself for being so ashamed of my disorders and that is when I decided medication will always be a part of my mental health regimen. I almost killed myself. God saved me...I prayed to God before I committed the horrible act and asked him "to please watch over my children and do what is right for them and not let them suffer the pain that I was going through." Well...that is why I believe I am here today. God did what was right for my children...He sent me back to them. I refuse to believe anything else. I am very blessed to be here today.

Why do they recommend this? nm
nm
Can anybody recommend

Here's my criteria:


I like funny or adventure books, usually about 40-ish to 50-ish y/o women.  I have read all the Hot Flash series. I don't like mysteries or true crime. I like Mary Kay Andrews, Jill Berg. Just looking for some relaxing reading. Any suggestions appreciated. 


i would recommend something different,
like calorieking.com It focuses on the nutrition as well as weight loss. but you don't have to deny yourself anything, ie carbs. you do learn the way to change your eating style in a permanent way so you don't bounce back and forth with the weight. you can do a free trial offer on line; if you like it, subscription is $55/yr. and their site has LOTS of info, recipes, forums, etc. i did that the first year and learned alot; didn't work at it consistently and lost 15 lbs still. now i am just doing the food/exercise journal with their best little calorie book, for way less $ and that is working for me. but rather than 'diet' (i hate that word!)you want to make changes that are something you can live with, permanently.
I would recommend
Into the Wild for the 17-yo and One for the Money by Janet Evanovich for you. Another great book is the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.
Buy a home of my own - not a palace, but more of a smallish home on a large piece of land. (nm)
.
Can anyone recommend a plan for me?

I am 48 and do use my cellphone for emergency use only.  Right now, I have Cingular One Go Phone but used it so rarely that within a few months, I had 135.00 in my fund. 


I called Cingular One and asked them to switch me over to another plan to use up the 135.00 and she said okay, go to 25 cents per minute and when you deplete your 135.00, you can switch back to the monthly 30.00 plan again.  Well, I went on a long trip, my car malfunctioned and when I went to call AAA, the cellphone said I had no minutes...seems I had bought air time which had expired rather than talk time...


So, I was told to buy a telephone card at a store for 100.00  which would last 365 days.  Befoire I do this, since I know so very little about the cellphone plans, I wonder if anyone has any great ideas for me or perhaps will say I should do what was suggested?


Thank you much!


I highly recommend it - (sm)
Had it for a colonoscopy.  At one point, I remember saying, "Oh!" - must have felt something, but I don't remember.  I asked about it as soon as I woke up, and they said that was the point they gave me a little more.  Honestly, I felt nothing and felt great after.  Maybe they had a hard time intubating the colon on yours - you know, sometimes there are twists and turns.  They could have had to maneuver your position quite a bit, but I do think that nurse's statement was not very professional.
First of all - would highly recommend
a sound machine such as those sold by Radio Shack - or a CD of white noise - more energy efficient than a fan running constantly and much warmer in the winter!!  I use my constantly!!  We hung pieces of white board from tiny nails over 3 of the windows in our den to block the light from the TV screen - especially useful in the summer... they have warped a tiny bit and we probably should have made them a little bit wider but they work - they are not unattractive - could easily be covered with a fabric to match the room if I so desired - and are light-weight so they come off very easily and I drop them behind the couch when not in use....  we have three narrow windows going across.... you can get this wood cut in any size and could work out something on the sides and bottoms - some kind of lever thing to tighten them down - we just have done nothing but hang from two tiny nails at the top as that is all we needed - but covering them with fabric might just be what I do soon!! 
Highly recommend them.
They don't make the food tasteless, but I usually marinate the chicken/pork/steak that I grill for flavor.
highly recommend... sm
Had it done a few years ago. My cousin is going through menopause at early age and just saw doc today... she is going to have a saline infusion-type ablation, which is done in the office. I had mine done under anesthesia, but very quick and painless afterward. If I have again before proceeding to hysterectomy, will see about the saline kind done in office.

Can anyone recommend any herbs.....

that help you to relax or help with anxiety?  Do not want to go on any prescription meds.


Thanks!


 


For 1 or 2 people, I recommend the

Presto Grandpappy. I've had mine 3 years without a problem.


I've had those expensive ones and they aren't any better unless you get a restaurant-quality one from the restaurant supply stores.


Can anyone recommend a web site for
a Leek or Leak procedure of the cervix to remove precancerous cells.  My 18yr old niece is having this done next week.  My SIL knew very little about the procedure and when I Google I am not finding much info.  Thanks.
May I recommend a book

Which may help?

"The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense."  May seem completely unrelated, but I sense a serious problem in the way he responded to you about how "YOU" should have responded to HIS needs. 


It is extremely subtle, the technique he is using.  I highly recommend the book; difficult to get, out of print.  I have a copy and am not willing to give it up....


Anyone move from a single family home to mobile home? sm

I own and live in a house in a midwest city in a bad neighborhood (wasn't that bad 11 years ago).  I spent the day waiting for the plumber to come and jackhammer the foundation (slab house, no basement) to find a leaky pipe that is flooding my DD's bedroom. Last week, it was the electrician with quotes for costly repairs.


In the meantime, I've really been thinking about selling out and moving into a mobile home.  Has anyone done this before?  Is a mobile home in a decent park less of a hassle than a regular house?  I'm so tired of cutting the grass and spending $$ to fix things and tired of old flooring and cabinets, etc., that are just too costly to replace.  I'm single with no man to do these things for me and I can't afford a mortgage on a newer house in a good neighborhood.  Some of the pictures I've seen of the mobile homes look really nice and modern on the inside. 


Any advice and comments appreciated.  Thanks!


Well I figure I can make my own hours & be home when the kids are home (sm)
I worked PT in an office for a while but spent most of my money on childcare in the summer. Full-time in an office was just a nightmare and I felt like I missed a whole year of my children's lives. I want to be in control of my schedule so that's why I'm looking into the cleaning thing. Never thought I would want to do that but live and learn! Some of the most intelligent people alive work as carpenters and similar things because they have learned what's really important in life. Whew....off my soapbox now :-) Good luck to you!
can anyone recommend a progesterone cream?
i believe i am menopausal now -- but having these hot flashes and have been told by a couple people that these creams help.  But there are so many on the market...any pros/cons to the natural vs synthetic progesterones you can tell me -- any particular one that you really like?  thanks!
I highly recommend pet insurance - sm

Please, everyone with a pet of any kind, consider it.  It can be a lifesaver (literally!), and I personally like the peace of mind it gives me, whether I ever need to file a claim or not.  Try Veterinary Pet Insurance:  http://www.petinsurance.com/ 


There are other companies too, but this is the only one we've used.  It saved us a small fortune when our Rottie got bone cancer in his front leg at just 4-1/2 years old.  After the diagnosis, we got a CT scan (same machine they use for people - $$$) to make sure it hadn't spread.  It hadn't, so we went ahead and amputated the leg (also not so inexpensive).  He felt great, was out of pain, adapted easily to 3 legs and was his old, happy self.  But just 6 months later the cancer was back, and we had to let him go.  Poor baby.  It all ended up costing about $2000.00, and we were reimbursed about $1200.00 from the insurance, so it was a big help. 


I think we just had their basic policy too, not the more expensive one (that would've reimbursed more), but I don't remember.  I think we paid around $300.00 a year for him (including an optional $99 routine care coverage addition to the policy).  The cost depends on the age and breed of the animal, and you can make monthly payments or pay all at once.  They insure all kinds of animals too, not just dogs and cats. 


We have VPI for our 2 youngest dogs (2 y/o Rottie and 5 y/o husky mix).  Personally, we will never be w/o it again on any of our dogs.  It's just such a relief to know you have it.  VPI also has a routine care plan you can add on to the policy (or not) that reimburses part of your yearly costs for shots, spay/neuter, teeth cleaning, flea/tick products, and heart worm meds, and we like having that. 


My oldest dog, my baby, is Wiley, a 12 y/o Siberian Husky.  Much to my regret, I didn't get insurance for him when he was younger.  Now it's too expensive (and they don't cover preexisting conditions).  Same with my senior Siberian, Alexx, who died earlier this year - I didn't have insurance for her because it's too expensive when they're seniors (if they'll even cover you then).  So I'll be paying off credit card bills for Alexx (who was very healthy until the last year or so) and Wiley (mostly Wiley) for yeeeeeaaarrrs to come. 


Wiley's had health problems since he was 5 yrs old, starting with his teeth (enamel hypoplasia, meaning lots dental x-rays, cleanings, extractions - root canals!), then a tumor (spindle cell sarcoma), then a recurrance of the tumor 3 yrs later (the biggest expense by far, due to the extensive nature of the surgery, need for a scan first, a specialist...), and now... immune-mediated joint disease.  If I'd had insurance for him, I would've save myself, literally, *thousands* of dollars (assuming they didn't cancel the policy! LOL) 


We're like you, Hayseed.  Our dogs might as well be our children, and we take care of them accordingly.  ;o) 


Doubt diff. vet will recommend anything without
x
I recommend Andre Sagovia s/m
He is a classical guitarist and the music is beautiful and is especially wonderful music to play around the holidays, very soothing.
Can anyone recommend a cell phone - sm
plan, one number, two phones if that exists, or a 2-phone plan, 2 numbers? That is not outrageous in cost.  Thinking of eliminating home phone at $65 a month just for the line, extended local calling and unlimited LD, just keeps going up, was $50 a few years ago.  In a rural area so really don't have any choices out here.  So figured we could get a plan with 2 phones, one for me, one for my husband, just don't know how that works.  Did a little looking on line and cheapest I could find was about $70 a month, which obviously is not what I am looking for.  Prefer to find something for $40-$50 a month, may 500 minutes unlimited calling at all times a month, don't need much as we are not on the phone that much.  Just had Verizon put a tracer on the home phone so I can track how much LD we actually use and if it would be more feasible to just go back to a pay-by-min plan and ixney the unlimited LD.  I think we can save a lot that way.  Probaby have to give up the caller ID but so be it.  We may be able to get away with a 1 phone plan as my DH has a company cell phone for which I could call him on if he was at home and I was at work.  Just cancelled my 2nd line as I was not using it much anymore for work so that will save us $30 a month right there.  Just trying to pince a few pennies here and there.  
I recommend you read the book ....sm
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It teaches you how to be debt free and get out of the hole you are in. I am gonna try it. I have heard 2 people say it worked for them. Just give it a look.
I can recommend Cesar Milan's methods.
He has a website and a show on Discovery, I believe. I have one of his books. He always recommends exercise - walk that dog - preferably in the morning. It balances them and you can establish your leadership with his methods. To balance your dog, give exercise, discipline, and then affection, in that order, for a stable, happy dog.

I was originally thinking he might be having seizures, but you aren't just describing this at night - it actually corresponds with crating and doesn't happen when he is out of the crate.
I'd recommend seeing the Beatles "Love." Outstanding!

Highly recommend the movie "Bordertown"

JLo and Antonio Banderas.  You will be moved and inspired to act.  HIGHLY recommend. 


My dentist also recommend Crest strips
She said she could do the whitening but it would yield no better result than an OTC product. Check the website too, they may have coupons available that you can print or sign up to receive by mail. I'm finding a lot of brand name product websites do this now.
I'd recommend going to a local mall on a weekend and watch....sm
to see how teenage boys are currently dressing, how their hair looks, etc. Once you get ideas of what is currently "hip" then you can search for bargains for the clothes. You can dress your son without it costing a fortune by looking for bargains, searching eBay, going to thrift stores, etc.

Have fun with this!
I highly recommend Lane and Ethan Allen - sm
We have a Ethan Allen BR set, very good quality, about $3500 for a King bed, dresser, mirror and men's dresser/cabinet. I have my mom's old Lane loveseat and recliner, they are about 12 years old and still look and feel brand new. My mom used the recliner every day, the loveseat was used less often. They were not cheap but certainly worth it, cannot remember exactly what she spent, I would think about $1500 at least on those 2 pieces (she also bought a sectional and recliner of the same pattern for another room at the same time which my dad still has and still looks great too). Stuff like Haynes and The Dump just don't seem to last (I have friends with furniture from there). Have fun shopping!
I recommend 1-2-3 Magic by Dr. Thomas Phelan to read
It sounds somewhat corny, but I promise you it works. My 6-year-old was a holy terror but not anymore. There's nothing to lose. Check your local library for it. It's a pretty quick read.

These kids know how to push our buttons so they can be the top dog in the house, and it sounds like he's unfortunately found your buttons.

Good luck!
Recommend puppy obedience classes. You can learn a lot sm
about discouraging bad behaviors. Some dog trainers give advice over the phone.
After the 2 weeks I have had with my buyer I would recommend you file a dispute as a not as describe
My seller took 35 days to finally mail, sent me invalid UPS tracking number, package was 6 books short and books were in deplorable condition and I filed a 'not received' too early cuz then he mailed and now I cannot file 'not as described' as you can only file one complaint per purchase.... so I'm screwed unless he agrees to accept return.... but thinking he will probably take my money, the books and run - only 25 feedback so new seller... I'm talking with Paypal now and may file with my credit card company next week - not quite sure I understand chargeback programyet
i know it is wearing on you but the recommend amount of timeout is 1 minute for each year of age.
nm
Daniel had a home, a very good home...
with someone in my family at one point.

She met her late husband at a club down the freeway from me. It's not a fancy place, like you say.

She does have a real brother though. That was the connection on our part.

I agree, though. It is sad that all this is coming out the way it is. I believe she was a good person...she just had a lot of problems, mainly drugs. What is really sad is that all of this is going to be seen by her daughter one day when she grows up.
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!