When I’m working, the most exhausting time of day for me is the first hour or so after getting home from work. Depending on the day, it could be as early as 4 or as late at 6. Upon arriving home, Rigby sits at the back door trembling with excitement, barely able to contain her happiness that I am home. Making her wait until the door opens all the way is about all she can handle so when I tell her she can come inside she flies through the house, slipping and sliding on the hard floors, knocking over furniture and flinging dirt from those crazy feet. For the next couple hours, she is a complete and utter nightmare. While I’ve spent the day working my butt off, she’s spent the day sniffing around the backyard, sleeping, and basically building up energy. Therefore, when I am least interested in playing and entertaining her is when she needs it the most. As much as I just want to sit on the couch, we HAVE to go for a long walk in order to survive the evening.
Being on vacation, I’ve been really good about taking Rigby out for a long walk in the morning when we get up. When I’m home, she spends most of the day inside with me, and I often throw the toys around for her to play with. What I’m basically saying is that she’s been getting a lot of exercise throughout the day since I’ve been on break. That doesn’t seem to have curbed the late afternoon craziness. Starting about 4PM, this dog is nuts, and it last a couple of hours. She’s been so rotten. “Miss Thang” has chewed up a pair of shoes, dragged the kitchen towels around the house, and dug through the trash. 
Can you get bones from your butcher. If you can, give her one then. That will calm her for the action of chewing will cause happy chemicals to release in her head. A bit like the bit of how-s-your-father hits us.
ReplyDeleteThink of her thrown back sucking on a Marlboro Lights.
Ficroft; word verification. Looks like something from Huck Finn, eh.
That's so funny that she still acts that way during that time when you've been home with her all day. I wish I had a suggestion. . .I guess all I can say is just wait a few more months and then maybe she'll grow out of it.
ReplyDelete@Vince - I do get bones from the butcher and keep them in the freezer. The double edged sword on that is she then wants to bury them in the backyard by digging holes. It's a good idea for that period of time though, maybe inside if I can keep her from carrying it around and mucking up the house.
ReplyDelete@Jason - Yes, funny, but not ha ha funny that's for sure. On the day Koho turned two she was new and improved. Being similar breeds, I'm hoping that's the case with Rigby. I sure hope so!
Sounds like Rigby needs a friend to run with during the day...but that might really make you crazy!
ReplyDelete@Marey - Ha, ya as much as I'd love to have another dog, I think that would drive me a little crazy. She doesn't seem to mind as well with another dog around. I have a neighbor who sends his dog over to play with Rigby a couple times a week. They do have a blast but are kind of naughty.
ReplyDeleteYou need to establish a new pattern. You should ring the house phone an exact number of times, say 4 times, when you leave work.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this over night and what I think is happening is her clock has a general setting. A bit like you being unable to sleep beyond your usual time. Well maybe not you but most people have difficulty sleeping in beyond their normal getting up time.
I reckon the average dog has the brain of a seven year old so better than 90% of the human population. They just know things. And they could make a phd on their owners.
@Vince - Oh, she definitely outsmarts me, that's for sure. I think you are exactly right though, it's her pattern so to speak. I thought being off, I'd break it for at least the time being, but no such luck...yet. I've still 2 weeks off, so I'll see what I can do.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking along the lines of Vince, that it might have become a routine... like if you eat everyday at 6:00pm, you will start to get hungry around that time.
ReplyDeleteMy other thought, was that it is not entirely physical stimulation, but that she needs more positive mental stimulation. Like those treat puzzle toys, or obstacle course training... or maybe even to read a chapter of War & Peace to her every evening.
@Hula - Yah, she probably needs something to herd. I wonder if I can get a flock of minature sheep to keep in the backyard. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a Kong toy?
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed you can go on a walk after a longday. My feet are always killing me. A bone is a good idea!
ReplyDeleteJLO is so dirty!
ReplyDeleteActually, you can get a flock on miniature sheep:
ReplyDeletehttp://mylittlesheep.com/
@Hula - Oh god, could you even imagine having my own mini sheep? Ha!
ReplyDelete@Blonde Duck - I did use the Kong when she was younger. It's been sitting in a cupboard for the last few months. I should definitely try that again.
ReplyDeleteWeeny sheep can't be any more ludicrous that that bald cat or the dwarf horses. What fuckwit would do that to a cat or horse, anyway. You could get a flock of poultry though.
ReplyDelete@Vince - hmmm, no I don't think so. I have a hard enough time taking care of myself AND the dog. I don't need farm animals too. :) If she needs something to chase, I've got squirrels and mocking birds that hang around in the backyard.
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to show horses, some of the other competitors would bring along the miniature horses to keep their "real" horses company. They were cute, in an odd sort of way. But really, what's the point! There have got to be better things to do than mutate nature for enhjoyment purposes.
And then you have Jimmy Choo. :-)
ReplyDeleteI live for six o'clock when the dogs finally calm down and start getiing mellow..
ReplyDelete@vince - if I could afford jimmy choo, I might buy some chickens to keep the shoes safe. :)
ReplyDelete@bc - it's so nice when they do. Mine is like a cuddly rag doll when she mellows out. I love it!
I vote that you get a bunch of chickens, but the miniature chickens.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could get one of those rotating hills hoist type of clothes line, and craft up some miniature sheep, hang them from the strings of the hills hoist.
It would be like a rotating herd of miniature sheep, only without the miniature poos.