I'm not sure if the proper question is "What Would Barley Chew?", or "When are those Escoe kids going to learn to put their damn shoes up at night?"
And it probably would have been funny, because they're just Kendrie's inexpensive pool shoes .... but then she chewed up my nephew's pair when he was here visiting .... then she chewed up a pair of Brayden's .... then another pair .... and by then I had quit taking pictures because it appears the cycle is endless, as is her appetite for plastic.
And at some point, its not funny anymore. Mainly because I get tired of running up to Payless or Wal-Mart or wherever, buying new flip flops for everybody. Then, my Parenting with Love and Logic kicks in, and I'm all "Hey, there are natural consequences for things, so just let them go barefoot!" and then they're all "Waah, waah, wahh, but the sidewalk is too hot, carry me!" and I'm all, "Do you not see that I'm already loaded down like a sherpa on Mount Everest with the towels and bags and lunches and innertube and now you want me to carry you for goodness sake you're almost teenagers!" and they're all, "Seriously, Mom, the parking lot is burning our feet!!!" and I'm all "Oh, Dear Lord, let me just buy you some new shoes."
And the whole vicious circle goes back to this face:
"As soon as these human people are gone, I am SO finishing off that shoe ....."
18 comments:
Cayenne pepper. A bit on unwanted chew items stops 'em cold in their tracks (I'm pretty sure it would stop me, too). Or, you can use bitter apple spray, though we've found cayenne pepper to be more effective. Another idea is to take an empty water bottle, fill it with coins, and when you catch them in the act, shake the thing ferociously (they hate the noise). You can do the same with a spray bottle of water and a quick squirt, too.
Good luck!
The Dollar stores and Michaels usually have cheap flip flops ($1-$2).
Hmmm, this post is seriously making me re-think the idea of getting a second dog. Here I was thinking about how lonely our dog will be in the fall when the kids go back to school, and a second dog might keep him company, when it appears I should really be thinking about how much more a second dog can chew and destroy. Then we would have twice as many meltdowns over mangled Pokemon figures (his favorite target).
How about buying a couple pair of cheapie shoes at Goodwill to leave out intentionally for the chewer? Of course this will only work if the kids put THEIR shoes AWAY! lol Oh, and the idea of Cayenne pepper works on the damn rabbits that chew down absolutely everything in my yard, even thorny rose bushes and barberry bushes so I'm betting it would work on a dog's love for shoes too. You could put it on the Goodwill shoes so as not to have it in the 'good' shoes. Good luck!
It's up to you! Get the sour apple spray. My husband was a fan of spraying water at our dog from the bottle. Our doggie don't chew no more no more..
Have you tried those "Kong" chew toys? I hear they're pretty good.
Umm...train the dog!!
Good thing Barley is so cute - gettin' by on her charm and good looks (works wonders for my dog, too). I've never needed to use cayenne, but it sounds like a good idea. Dogs aren't able to distinguish between "good" shoes and "acceptable" shoes, so that could backfire. And peanut butter filled Kongs keep 'em busy for hours. I also give mine those marrow soup bones (raw). Usually before a bath (or outside), because at the beginning they're kind of stinky, but once they've gone to town on them, they dry up and the dogs still go back to them for days afterwards. In fact we have a lovely little collection of them behind the couch right now! They are the world's best doggy babysitters, so I overcome the gross factor for them. One other thought (in my humble and not in any way professional opinion), are the dogs getting enough exercise? Mine get "ratty" when they're bored, and tired dogs don't cause nearly as much trouble. Yours are both still young and goofy, so big walks every day might take the edge off until they grow up a bit and settle. And I can tell you from experience that long doggy walks will do wonders for your own behind as well. I say that only because you've mentioned it before...
Good luck!
My dogs used to love shoes too ...ugh how many pairs did I have to replace cause the kids wouldnt put them up but shoes are supposed to be on the floor. But lucky for you its only shoes.....mine moved onto underwear and shorts that werent picked up off the floor and those were/are expensive dance shorts too! Count yourself lucky its cheap flip flops!
Hilarious! I have a chewer as well. He also likes to eat the toes out of sweaty socks--really gross. And not good for the digestive system either! I used to have a golden that chewed on everything in site...french doors, beer cans, a couch, etc...So really, shoes aren't that bad! Have a great weekend.
Kristie,
I hardly ever comment on the blogs I frequent but just wanted you to know that I am so glad to know that you went and had a great time. I would have so been on that zip line too! Looks like fun- and I have loosened up quite a bit since high school. I would have never done it in high school though. Too shy,/self conscious/whatever...'Life' sure does teach us a thing of two about living for the day doesn't it?! Anyway, I remember when my 10th, 20th, and 25th came up and I didn't get the chance to even think about it (10- lived in Germany, 20- Tyler's first go around with Ewing's, and 25-Tyler's amputation occurred the same month). I was mad at my good friends that lived close and could go but refused to. Wimps! So, I say Yea! for you for going and being the one with the guts to hang with the kids!
Notice that the above is supposed to be a comment on your reunion post?! See!!! I said I hardly ever comment on these things!!
Try the bitter apple spray - it worked for my dog when he was younger and developed a taste for wooden furniture legs. You could also teach them the "leave it" command by placing something they like on the ground and when they go for it say "leave it!" and push them back if necessary. Then have a release word like "OK" which means they can go for the item they want. Then put a shoe in front of them and tell them "leave it" and then never give them the release (obviously). It may sound dumb, but give it a try.
Also, never concede and just give them a shoe to chew on or buy a toy that loks like a shoe because that will just confuse them and invite them to chew on any old shoe they please. Good Luck!
Yup. It's official. I'm never getting a dog. Cats rule!! :)
Enya
We had a dog that used to chew up shoes... all my mom's work shoes, and all the ones she replaced them with... she finally got so frustrated, she picked one up he was chewing and smacked his butt with it... he's never done it since
(She didn't hit him really hard, just enough to let him know he was misbehaving... we dont abuse our animals...)
I can't help any with the dog, but I can offer a suggestion for the kids... When my kids lose something (by leaving it where the dog can get it, or carelessly losing it), I make them pay for at least half of the replacement cost themselves (more if the fault is totally theirs and I know they can afford it) from birthday/Christmas money they have saved. If they don't have any money at the time, then I "loan" them the money and they work it off by doing chores that I need done (like folding laundry). It still costs me money, but I get some extra chores done, and they are being held responsible for replacing the items. Since I started doing this, they have taken MUCH better care of their things. My older daughter never leaves the dance studio without checking that she has all her things since she had to replace her jazz shoes herself; and they are both in the habit of putting their shoes in the closet every time, where the dog can't get them. It works for me. Good luck,
Linda =0)
Maybe make the kids buy their own shoe replacements with their own money. I bet that might get them to pick up their shoes!
Mu sisters boxer eats her underwear! Then poops them out! So she is constantly buying new underwear. We joke that when we get her panties from VS that we are really just getting Bailey expensive doggie treats! Very strange!
Megan
Post a Comment