so here's the deal... we adopted a chocolate lab, she's about 2 years old, over the summer. so far she's been very well behaved but i'm a bit nervous about the tree ornaments and lights either getting her sick, or just breaking... i think we'll have an artificial one again this year but i wouldn't mind putting up the usual glass ornaments which i'm sure she'll love to try and get ahold of.... i've been doing research online.. see what i can do cuz the place isn't too big and there's only one room where the tree could go, which would mean the tree and doggie sharing the living room... bit concerned. i keep seeing the Scat Mat suggested but i've never used one so i don't know how effective and harmless it is (AND i'm on a tight budget) soooo if there's anything else that anyone has done successfully i'd love to read and try it out. thank youuu!
2007-11-16 02:12:09 · 13 answers · asked by Friducha 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have broke my dogs and cats from messing with the X-mas tree by simply using a water bottle and spraying them if they start to mess with it. Its not a mean and cruel way to break them of a bad habit and I have found it very effective
2007-11-16 02:16:43 · answer #1 · answered by Dani 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have two big goldens with tails that knock everything and we always manage a Christmas tree. We have had a few things knocked off by tails but the dogs don't seem to want to pull things off the tree. More often, they show interest in any package that might have an interesting smell that might be under the tree (oh, if they only spoke English!!!).
I suggest putting large, unbreakable ornaments along the bottom and more fragile things higher out of reach. Or get a small tree and put it on a table.
Supervise when she is in the tree room and have her sleep in another room at night if it seems she is overly interested. Make sure her own toys are available. My dogs have never been all that interested and aren't inclined to bother the tree and after a few years, I don't worry too much anymore.
2007-11-16 02:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a pitbull and a pom mix, last year, this too was my fear.
I took paper towels, soaked them in ammonia, wrung them out an placed them under the tree skirt so no one else could see them. These kept the dogs and cats away from the tree.
The ammonia is very strong to their noses, they don't like it and will leave it alone. Please put down a towel, blanket or even saran wrap under the paper towels so the ammonia doesn't bleach or stain your carpet.
You can also purchase a product called apple bitter at the pet store. Another scent they do not like and will stay away from.
Another trick I have used to train my animals to stay away from things I do not want them into is to take a can (an old pop can works well), place pennies or small pebbles into it, tape it shut an every time the dog goes near the tree, shake the can. Unfortunately it may not work near the tree because you can't be around it at night....and...dogs are normally gravitated towards trees..(to piddle and such).
You can also try the spray bottle approach. Every time the dog goes near the tree....squirt his bottom with a stream of water. (Just be very careful not to squirt the tree...that's why I suggest his bottom, its usually the furthest part from the tree).
Good luck with this. Sometimes, dogs will just realize that the tree is not a play toy and stay away.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
2007-11-16 02:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Carlene M 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I also have a chocolate lab about the same age. Last Christmas he was fine with it. Just keep it in a corner so she doesn't knock it over running by (we learned that the hard way!)
If you can't supervise her, put up a baby gate, or otherwise block a door so she doesn't have full access to the house. She's not going to purposely knock it over. Also keep any ornaments that might resemble her toys up high. (teddy bear looking ornaments). The only thing my dog was interested in was the things under the tree!
Give her time outs in her crate if she gets in the "bull in a china shop" mood. She'll get the hint that
her+being hyper around the tree= crate time.
2007-11-16 02:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by *coral* 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
all u have to do is watch ur dog and make sure she isnt meddling in things that shouldnt be meddled with. if she goes by the tree tell her no and and go get her. and when ur not home put her in a kennel so she cant get to that. she will learn it will take time but all u have to do is train her not to go by it. i would keep the glass ornaments packed away this year since ur training her to stay away from the tree. there will be accidents where she might knock something down but all u have to do is watch her dont let her out of ur sight and she should be fine
EDIT: one more thing before u decorate it and put it up allow her to sniff it and get comfortable with it. it will be there for a while so she will need to know that its ok and its nothing to be afraid of
EDIT: one more thing one person suggested putting her in the crate when she does something bad. i personally wouldnt do that. u spent so much time teaching her that the crate is a good place but when u put her in there when she is bad she will be afraid of that. i made that mistake with one of my dogs and now he is terrified of his crate
2007-11-16 02:20:44 · answer #5 · answered by Stephanie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have a 4 yr. old rottie.. 1 1/2 yr. and 3 1/2 yr. old boys so we HAD to get a play yard to enclose the tree ! We also put ALL breakable ornaments on the top of the tree.. ! Good luck
2007-11-16 02:35:01 · answer #6 · answered by pebblespro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First time it's a sharp "no!" and lead them away. After that, spray with the water bottle. My dogs hate that and it breaks their bad behavior IMMEDIATELY.
If people think it is cruel, well, it is more cruel to hope they will listen and later find out that they have an ornament hook in their esophagus. it is also better than spanking or putting them in their crate. You don't want to associate the crate with punishment - the spray bottle should be. All I have to do is pick the bottle up now and my dogs straighten right up.
2007-11-16 02:25:40 · answer #7 · answered by Teresa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I put all of my fragile ornaments up higher on the tree, but my dog's really didn't mess with them, I had more problems from the cat...
2007-11-16 02:23:03 · answer #8 · answered by Nicole E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought an old coffee table at a garage sale and put my tree on top of it in the corner of my living room. My dog isn't tall enough to get to it :)
2007-11-16 02:20:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try spraying a citrus scent on the tree (especially if it's artificial). Dogs don't like citrus, and it may keep him away from the tree.
There are also tree enclosures you can buy.
2007-11-16 02:23:35 · answer #10 · answered by alecto02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋