Expert: Kaza - 5/15/2008

Question
My co-worker and I both own a Bichon/Shitzu mix dog.  She has been off on maternity leave and contacted me today that she may need to get rid of her beloved dog due to her acting out and eating anything wood in the house. Legs of furniture,door trim, anything he can get his mouth around.  She doesn't want to get rid of him, but with the new baby in the house she can not tolerate this type of behavior either.  She just wants her sweet well behaviored dog back.  How can I help her?

Answer
A new baby on the scene will often bring about behaviours in our pets that we find intolerable, they like us suffer jealousy too, when a new baby is on the scene its imperative that owners give a little time out to the dog also, I know its hard and we would like to coo all day over our new babies (Ihave 3) but the dog must be given space to spend time with its owner.

To stop this behaviour simply devote an hour without baby to stop the attention seeking behaviour (which hasnt probably occured before)
Paint all wood surfaces with a substance called bitter orange and you will be fine.

If time cannot be given to the dog its better to give the dog to a new family before any further bahaviours occur.
This is a decision that needs to be taken and thought out well, but dont take to long.
Personally I think the decision has already been made as such its now time to act so both owner and dog can feel settled .
I must see this situation at least 10 times annually .