WatchMyHound

Princess Nikki · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Location: monroe, nc

HELP! My Grey has managed to chew two electrical cords, the first was plugged into the way and the second was an extension cord that was not plugged in but laying on a chair. She also is a crafty klepto. Anything is game; the tv remote, cordless phone, daughter's ball mit, shoes, clothes, etc. She likes to steal her items and always runs back to her crate and makes a pile. Why is she doing this???? Is it when I am ignoring her or because these items have our smell on them?

Twisted Evil

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Princess Nikki's mom and dad

GR8Fostermom · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 300 Location: Harrisburg NC

She is doing this possably for several reason. Stress, board out of her mind, needs your attention, needs her own toys.

How long have you had her? First off, She could get really hurt by any of the items you discribe. Think of her as a Toddler. Put everything dangerous out of reach. Muzzle her or even better crate her when you can't watch her. Give her doggy approved toys to chew on. A good idea for a dog that is board is a KONG stuffed with peanut butter and frozen.
It will take her a while to finish it and keep her busy. You can even crunch up some dog treats and mix it in the peanut butter before you stuff the KONG and freeze.

Most importantly, just muzzle or crate her if you are not where you can watch her. For your sanity ! and her safety !

You can call me if you need more help.
704 599 1194
Debbie

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Debbie, mom to Reggie, Tim Tam, Chloe Isabeau, Jessie James and Jossie. (2 legged kids Cody and Kelly) Hubby Ron

hounded2 · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 317 Location: Charlotte, NC

Princess Nikki wrote:

HELP! My Grey has managed to chew two electrical cords, the first was plugged into the way and the second was an extension cord that was not plugged in but laying on a chair. She also is a crafty klepto. Anything is game; the tv remote, cordless phone, daughter's ball mit, shoes, clothes, etc. She likes to steal her items and always runs back to her crate and makes a pile. Why is she doing this???? Is it when I am ignoring her or because these items have our smell on them?

Twisted Evil

I agree with Debbie that for her own safety, crating or muzzling is the way to go when you can't supervise her. Our homes are full of hazzards that we don't even think about -- bottles of medication comes to mind right away. Every year many dogs get poisoned because they chewed open a bottle of pills (prescription or non-prescription) and ingested some.

Not all of them do it, but the "collecting" or "hoarding" behavior you describe is not uncommon in greyhounds. There are different theories about why they do it -- to comfort themselves with stuff that smells like the people they love, boredom, not enough exercise ... unless they're chewing and swallowing things, it's generally seen as an endearing little quirk. Smile

Lee Livingood talks about this in her "Greyhounds for Dummies" book.

You don't say how old she is or how long you've had her, but this is sometimes part of adjusting to a new home. My first greyhound was a collector, especially when I first brought him home. He tended to gather items of my clothing like socks, undies, t-shirts, shoes, etc. and pile them on his bed and lay on them. He never chewed them, just laid on them. If I was missing something, I'd go look on his bed and it was usually there. Laughing

As time went on, he generally did this less and less, but would sometimes it would reoccur if I had to board him or I traveled with him. I decided he found it comforting and besides, he looked adorable lying there on a pile of my stuff.

It's possible, if she's young and energetic, she may not be getting enough exercise. Some extra play time or walks might be good. Just be careful this time of year not to let her get overheated. Also, as Debbie points out, some toys of her own may satisfy her urge to play and collect. Many greyhounds will take their toys and pile them on their bed or in their crate and lay on them. My newest addition was obsessed with collecting all the stuffed toys in the house and putting them on her bed for the first couple of months she was here. Although she still enjoys playing with her toys, she doesn't seem obsessed with collecting them in a pile anymore.

Good luck with her. She sounds like an endearing character. Wink

Keep us posted.

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Cynthia, huMom to Carly (Cw Your Charming), Princess (Lofty Princess), & Cruz, the galgo
and the angels: Frostman, Chloe, & Keno (greys) Hannah (weim), Irys (galgo)