Organization: Penn State University
Date: Thursday, 16 Apr 1992 20:57:16 EDT
From: <JJB6@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Strange eating habits

In article <cpp+vg@engin.umich.edu>, richie@cancan.engin.umich.edu (Staney
Dharmakusuma) says:

>I had a similar situation before. (I won't call this a problem).
>it when I left home much earlier than usual, when I did not pay
>much attention to him due to my exams or study, and when we left him
>at home for quite a long time. I figured that he was
>very upset (he was and is still very spoiled) and he tried to tell me that.

My husky is also very spoiled and he does spend alot of time at home alone,
but most of things that he does happen when we haven't bee gone for long.
When he is left alone for long periods of time, usually he is fine.

>I remember several incidents. I was studying since early in the morning
>(continuing from the previous night) on the couch. He has been trying
>to get me play with him all the time. He kept on bringing his toys one
>by one and put them on my lap or shoved them to my palm. Finally he got
>upset and sat on the sofa crying once in a while. I cuddled him from
>time to time, but he was still upset. When I put my book down on the couch,
>he immediately sat on it. Anyway, he tried very hard to take my attention
>away from the book. Then I took a shower. When I came back to the living room,
>he was chewing my book that I left on the couch. I think he was very upset
>and jealous at the book.

When he wants our attention, he comes over and puts his paw on our arm as if
to say "Hey, don't forget about me."

>But I remembered that I tried not to got upset at him and yell at him
>everytime he chew tissue or books. I simply told him that he was bad in
>a quick but sharp voice, and I told him I loved him very much.

We also try to tell him that he is bad, but depending on what he has done, he
either puts his head down or turns and walks away.

>Do you think your husky might also be jealous or upset at something ?

Hard to tell!  When there is someone around all the time, he sleeps or goes
about his own business, as if he doesn't want to bothered.  I think part of it
may be that I am at school and he is at home with my parents.  When I go home
to visit, he gets very excited to see me and my leaving to go back to school
could be what upsets him, although my parents have spoiled him.  I am an only
child and he has taken over the position of the "baby" of the family.

It seems as if our dogs have some of the same "habits."  Is your dog also
moody??  Sometimes it's as if we are living in "HIS" house.  If he wants to
play, we play.  If he wants to sleep (at night) and we are up "too late", he
will stand and make noises as if to say "Come on, it's time to go to bed."
Once we go to bed he's fine, but if my mom goes to bed and reads instead of
going to sleep, he will let her know he doesn't like it and will go to another
bedroom to sleep.  Also, you can't pet him unless he wants you to.  If you
touch him and he doesn't want to be touched, well, if looks could kill...

Anyway, I'm not sure what his problem is, but I glad to hear I'm not the only
one with a "eat everything" pooch.

Jennifer