Ricco the Fruit Bat: Calm Down and Use the Cat Box

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Ricco, a small Japanese Chin dog nicknamed "The Fruit Bat," has developed a fear of the cat's litter box after a traumatic incident where he was startled while using it. Efforts to calm him down included praise and treats, but he has not returned to the box since. Suggestions from the discussion included waiting for him to urgently need to go and gently placing him in the box, as well as potentially relocating the box or using a different one to break the negative association. The conversation also touched on the challenges of training dogs in cold weather and humorous ideas for keeping him safe outside. Overall, patience and positive reinforcement are emphasized as key strategies to help him overcome his fear.
  • #31
We had an ice storm last night, actually we are still having an ice storm and he went outside this morning and was slipping and sliding with every step. He finally managed to hike his leg and toppled over. I wish I had a video of it.
 
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  • #32
Evo said:
We had an ice storm last night, actually we are still having an ice storm and he went outside this morning and was slipping and sliding with every step. He finally managed to hike his leg and toppled over. I wish I had a video of it.
Did you give him too much beer? :smile:
 
  • #33
EnumaElish said:
Did you give him too much beer? :smile:
Heheh, no beer yet. We might share some eggnog for Christmas.
 
  • #34
Evo said:
Heheh, no beer yet. We might share some eggnog for Christmas.
With or without the rum? :biggrin: Is he old enough to drink responsibly?
 
  • #35
Astronuc said:
With or without the rum? :biggrin: Is he old enough to drink responsibly?
No rum for him, he's fiesty enough sober. I'm afraid if he had any liquor in him the world would be his catbox. :eek:
 
  • #36
Astronuc said:
With or without the rum? :biggrin: Is he old enough to drink responsibly?
No rum for him, he's fiesty enough sober. Red Rum refers to him as "the mongrel". This was, of course, after the time the Fruit Bat punished me for coming home late by peeing on my wonderful goose down bed pillows. That dog knows how to get you where it really hurts. No pillow for me that night. :cry: When I screamed he hunkered down looking at me like "BRING IT ON!" and started growling when I approached him. Of course I just picked up his little stiffened growling butt and placed him in the hallway. :devil:

I'm afraid if he had any liquor in him the world would be his catbox. :eek:
 
  • #37
Evo said:
We had an ice storm last night, actually we are still having an ice storm and he went outside this morning and was slipping and sliding with every step. He finally managed to hike his leg and toppled over. I wish I had a video of it.

:smile: Poor thing.
 
  • #38
Evo said:
No rum for him, he's fiesty enough sober. Red Rum refers to him as "the mongrel". This was, of course, after the time the Fruit Bat punished me for coming home late by peeing on my wonderful goose down bed pillows. That dog knows how to get you where it really hurts. No pillow for me that night. :cry: When I screamed he hunkered down looking at me like "BRING IT ON!" and started growling when I approached him. Of course I just picked up his little stiffened growling butt and placed him in the hallway. :devil:
Just mail him to me and I'll straighten him out.

He seems to have the personality of Percy the pomeranian. Percy was placed in the bedroom after he got too excited. After about 15 minutes or so, he proceeded to bump the door. Then he started thumping the door. Eventually he calmed down.

I was told to be careful because he would bite. But Percy came over to me and didn't bite, but rather sat calmly while I patted his side and rubbed his back. After dinner he came over and rolled on his back so I could rub his belly. Even when I picked him up and sat him in my lap, he was calm. Even with his face near mine.

And that was the first time I'd ever met the little guy.
 
  • #39
Maybe if you get the Fruit Bat his own litter box, he'll take the hint. If he's as smart as you say, he should figure it out. Hate to see him get hurt or pee all over himself trying to navigate the "Bathroom on Ice", unless you can get Dorothy Hamill to walk him. :!)
 
  • #40
turbo-1 said:
Maybe if you get the Fruit Bat his own litter box, he'll take the hint. If he's as smart as you say, he should figure it out. Hate to see him get hurt or pee all over himself trying to navigate the "Bathroom on Ice", unless you can get Dorothy Hamill to walk him. :!)
His main problem is that he doesn't weigh enough to sink into the snow and ice so he can't get a foothold. Perhaps if I put the catbox out on the ice and set him in it he will immediately grasp the advatages.
 
  • #41
A friend had this same kind of canine.

Poor thing would get upset if people were quarreling with each other, he'd go crazy if someone hit or pretended to hit someone else. He'd actually walk right between them, barking at the top of his lungs, and try to stop the fight (and/or protect the weak from being beaten).

He loved some beer once a while; he'd slurp it in no time, then get very mellow.
 
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  • #42
Evo said:
No rum for him, he's fiesty enough sober. I'm afraid if he had any liquor in him the world would be his catbox. :eek:

Well, then if that was the case, then if you give him liquor, he will be afraid to relieve himself.

I'm sorry. I am so mean.
 
  • #43
Evo said:
His main problem is that he doesn't weigh enough to sink into the snow and ice so he can't get a foothold. Perhaps if I put the catbox out on the ice and set him in it he will immediately grasp the advatages.

That might actually work. Or else start sending him out with cleats on his little paws.
 
  • #44
Evo said:
His main problem is that he doesn't weigh enough to sink into the snow and ice so he can't get a foothold. Perhaps if I put the catbox out on the ice and set him in it he will immediately grasp the advatages.
Have you tried getting Dorothy ("I don't think we're in Kansas anymore") to walk F-B during the ice-storm? It seems like such a good fit.
 
  • #45
Evo said:
His main problem is that he doesn't weigh enough to sink into the snow and ice so he can't get a foothold. Perhaps if I put the catbox out on the ice and set him in it he will immediately grasp the advatages.

No, he'll slide into the ravine in his cat box sled!
 
  • #46
hypatia said:
No, he'll slide into the ravine in his cat box sled!
OMG! I hadn't even thought of that!
 
  • #47
hypatia said:
No, he'll slide into the ravine in his cat box sled!

:smile:! Um, perhaps it would be best to dig out a bit of snow for the cat box (or dog box) to sit inside so it doesn't slide away.
 
  • #48
hypatia said:
No, he'll slide into the ravine in his cat box sled!
Make sure the video camera is ready. Classic youtube stuff!

Seriously, one could tether the box or dog.

We use a 25 ft tether with our dog so she doesn't run off chasing something. We live on a busy street, and she's tried to take off after small animals, or she follows the scents in the yard.
 
  • #49
I've got a 'smaller' dog---when it snows a lot, I'll go out and walk a path, shuffling my feet, to break a trail for her to walk in.


As far as the 'box' training, you have to catch the moment when they 'have to' go to pee, and confine them to the area that you're trying to train them to go in. The more often the better--they'll have to pee --it's just where you allow them to go.
 
  • #50
When it snows, I get up early to shovel a path so the dog (Yorkie) can go on the grass.

If one lives close to a ravine, perhaps it would be prudent to put up a low fence of nylon mesh in the wintertime to preclude the dog sliding into the ravine.
 
  • #51
Hey--Evo---have you found 'your' camera yet? A view of your 'Grand Canyon' would be interesting.
 
  • #52
Astronuc said:
Make sure the video camera is ready. Classic youtube stuff!

Seriously, one could tether the box or dog.

We use a 25 ft tether with our dog so she doesn't run off chasing something. We live on a busy street, and she's tried to take off after small animals, or she follows the scents in the yard.

Use a bungie cord :smile:. Please.
 
  • #53
rewebster said:
Hey--Evo---have you found 'your' camera yet? A view of your 'Grand Canyon' would be interesting.
I moved it, or thought I did, but now i can't find it.

I do have my Italian ex-fiance's very nice camera which someday I will actually ship to him. Really.

I also have the Evo Child's video camera which has a film cassette jammed into it, I need to get it fixed.

So, you ARE alive. How are you feeling?

rewebster said:
I've got a 'smaller' dog---when it snows a lot, I'll go out and walk a path, shuffling my feet, to break a trail for her to walk in.
You forget to whom you are speaking. If I tried to create a path frm my patio, it would be from me careening into the CHASM OF DEATH.
 
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  • #54
Evo said:
You forget to whom you are speaking. If I tried to create a path frm my patio, it would be from me careening into the CHASM OF DEATH.
When you put it that way, I have to picture jagged rocks at the bottom of a precipice. Tell the truth, now - it's really the gully of mild concern, isn't it? :rolleyes: Is that why you "can't find" your camera? :devil: You'll be blaming your move for everything for at least another year or two.
 
  • #55
turbo-1 said:
When you put it that way, I have to picture jagged rocks at the bottom of a precipice. Tell the truth, now - it's really the gully of mild concern, isn't it? :rolleyes: Is that why you "can't find" your camera? :devil: You'll be blaming your move for everything for at least another year or two.
:redface: Ok, so it's a slight slope to an edge of rocks at the edge of the craggy precipice (ok, so the boulders were placed at the edge to prevent erosion). It is a pretty straight drop down about 10 feet to the ground which then slopes again another 10-20 feet down to the creek (depending where you are). I've been known to get injured on perfectly flat land, this is a death trap for me. I'm trying to get the Evo Child over in the daylight so she can take a picture with her cell phone.
 
  • #56
What about letting the little guy out the front door?
 
  • #57
OK, is it something like -

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8308/moatel2.jpg

and I'm wondering, why did you pick a place at the edge of a cliff? :confused: Besides the view that is. :biggrin:
 
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  • #58
Astronuc said:
What about letting the little guy out the front door?
He would much prefer the front, but the apartment I live in has a recessed entry and there is an apartment next to mine, there is a walkway between the units that reach our front doors, with nice landscaping (a dog's dream). I don't want the entry way to our doors saturated with dog pee. And do NOT expect me to get dressed up and take hime walking out in the front. In this weather I crack the back door open and let him run out into the backyard to do his thing, it's one of the reasons I chose the place I'm not walking the dog in freezing rain at 3am.
 
  • #59
And do NOT expect me to get dressed up
No, I wouldn't expect you to get dressed . . . up. :biggrin:

But seriously, for as long as that is possible, I see your point about the neighbors and the desire to avoid using the front entry area.
 
  • #60
Astronuc said:
OK, is it something like -

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8308/moatel2.jpg

and I'm wondering, why did you pick a place at the edge of a cliff? :confused: Besides the view that is. :biggrin:
It's more like a copse of trees down in an old stream bed. It runs several miles through an area which is now being heavily developed. Whoa, the stream is the "Blue River", it's just really narrow near my house.
 
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