Before Abby was spayed ( About 10 years ago ) she got it into her head that a nubby football dog toy was her puppy. She got a little carried away with it. She tried to nurse it, she would carry it around, lick it and for a few days she would not go outside unless I made her and then she wanted right back in and would rush to her "puppy" and worry over it. It got so that she even started to look like she had had puppies.
I did some tough love. I put her in the truck. Tossed the "puppy " in the dumpster and took Abby for a long car ride that ended up at a lake and we played and played and I wore her out. When we got home I moved the couch and chair around just to change things up. I played more with her and distracted her with tasty food treats. Whenever she would get to looking for "puppy" I would play ball or do some obedience with meat treats for doing a good job. It took about 3 days for her to stop looking for her "puppy".
I made sure after that that she didn't get fixated on a toy. I think spaying her also helped.She probably would have made a great mom. She never did have puppies.
That picture is so cute. Oh, I feel a little sorry for Abby. I have never heard of a dog adopting a snuffed toy (sometimes other animals), she must have really felt the need to nurture.
ReplyDeleteYour picture makes my heart hurt for Abby.
ReplyDeleteI saw your folks in church this morning. We talked about you, your blog and spelling!
Oh my gosh that is so funny. Just when I thought I heard everything about Abby, then you have another story to top that one!!!! Crazy funny
ReplyDeleteHey,hey,hey! No talking about my spelling. I might not like that.
ReplyDeleteI almost feel a little sorry for Abby right now. And I don't usually feel bad for her at all, even when I kick her off the couch. Are you going to do some tough love with this little toy? It seems kind of mean. Maybe you should get another dog so she has a friend. Your pack is kind of small.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pak Art. Perhaps she would love a buddy, especially a smaller dog, or cat even. It would most likely work better than for us. Hunter wasn't concerned about nurturing anything, just chasing and catching mice and squirrels. Now with Shelby, he tends to just tolerate her. He only loved her before she was fixed. ;o)
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