Binky
Toys Return
to Literature
STEP #1: CHOOSE A “BINKY.”
A “Binky” toy can be any item that is safe
to leave with your dog and is not edible. A toy made of
rawhide or any like substance will not work. It should
be one of the types of toys that are safe and not easily
destroyed should your dog really work it over. It is easier
if it is already a favorite with your dog. Examples of
toys that should work: Nylabone® toys, Kongs® or
Tuffys®, some of the processed bones, and for some
dogs, the rope toys. On rare occasions a stuffed toy or
squeaky might work but is only recommended if you have
a very soft-mouthed dog that has already proven it will
not destroy that type of toy.
STEP
#2: BRING THE “BINKY” TO LIFE.
Give the toy it’s own name. We will call
it the “Binky”. Pick up any toy that
is even closely like the “Binky” and
put them away. Way away! Now you develop a relationship
with the “Binky”. Hold it. Talk to
it. Use it’s name while doing this. Let the
dog see and hear you doing this. Don’t over
do it. Just an occasional interaction is fine.
STEP
#3: RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE “BINKY.”
When you are not with the “Binky” put
it in it’s own spot. The top of the refrigerator
is usually good. It has to be someplace the dog
can not get to but you can. The dog needs to see
where the “Binky” lives. Do not leave
the “Binky” out for your dog to play
with on his own.
Once
you have established the existence of the “Binky”
you are ready to use it to help stop the dog’s
destructive behavior while you are gone.
STEP
#4: START CREATING “BINKY” ROUTINES.
Get ready to go out. It is best if you act like
you are going to be gone for awhile. As you start
the process of getting ready you must completely
ignore the dog. If you normally put the dog outside
to potty before you leave, do so. But just do the
bare mechanics. Do not talk to the dog other then
to give direction such as “Go out!”.
Do not touch the dog. Do not make eye contact with
the dog. When you are ready to walk out the door:
Go
over to the “Binky” and take it off
it’s spot. Say good-bye to the “Binky”
and then give it to the dog. Don’t throw
it. Just offer it to the dog in a very matter-of-fact
way. If the dog is not interested just lay the
“Binky” on the ground with one last
good-bye to it.
Leave! Be gone for five to ten minutes.
When you return completely ignore the dog. If the
dog jumps on you don’t say a word. Do not
touch the dog in anyway. Just start looking for
the “Binky”. As you look for it quietly
be saying something like “Where is the “Binky”,
I want the “Binky”.
When you locate the “Binky” pick it
up with a warm reception. Show it to the dog. If
the dog shows an interest you can play with the
dog with the “Binky” for 30 seconds
or so. Do not lose control of the “Binky”.
In playing you must have possession. If the dog
does not show an interest in the “Binky”
you play with it by yourself. Then return the “Binky”
to it’s spot. Continue to ignore the dog
for at least another five minutes.
If you contain your dog while gone, like a crate
or small room, still go through the above procedures.
Just put the dog away at least five minutes before
you leave. Then, just before you go out the door,
offer the dog the “Binky”. Upon returning,
wait at least five minutes before you let the dog
out. When you do let the dog out, focus on the
“Binky” instead of the dog.
Repeat
the above procedure randomly throughout a few days.
Vary the amount of time you are actually out of
the house. What you want to see happen is that
the dog will either start meeting you at the door
with the “Binky” or race to it and
grab it before you can. When this happens, really
play with the dog and the “Binky”.
But now the dog is allowed to have possession of
the “Binky” while you are playing.
Play some tug-of-war, play fetch, play keep away,
play any game or combination of games that feels
right. But always quit when it is your idea and
the dog is still very excited to play. Once again,
take the “Binky” to it’s spot
and talk to it. Ignore the dog for at least five
minutes after the “Binky” game is over.
STEP #5: INCREASE “BINKY’S”
APPEAL, IF NECESSARY . If you have done
three to five days of the “Binky” routine
and the dog shows no interest in the “Binky”,
you may have to up the ante. You might want to
try using some type of food. If you are using a
kong or tuffy as the “Binky”, stuff
it with peanut butter or cheese. If you are using
a nylabone try putting a light coating of peanut
butter on it. Get creative!!
OCCASIONAL
MISTAKES: If you come home and find that
the dog has destroyed anything, ignore it. Do not
so much as even look at the damage. Just respond
with the “Binky” toy routine. After
you have ignored the dog for the five minutes after
the “Binky” game, put the dog out.
Now, with the dog not looking, clean up the mess.
By paying attention to any damage, even by severe
methods, you have confirmed to the dog that it
can get attention for that behavior. You want the
dog to learn that it gets positive attention when
it engages in the “Binky” routine.
Any other behavior will be ignored. If the dog
has just destroyed something precious, remember,
the damage has already been done. You must stay
focused and work to ensure that it won’t
happen again.
The
concept is: You are building a connection between
the fact that you are coming home, and the “Binky”.
If the dog is starting to get anxious or excited
about you returning, it will now grab the “Binky”
instead of one of your favorite shoes. Or, if you
have a dog that gets nervous when you leave, it
now has the “Binky” as a “pacifier”.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have done three to five days of the “Binky”
If that still does not work, you will have to get
real serious and committed. It is not easy, but
you will have to stop all attention to the dog
for three days. Just meet the dog’s basic
requirements. Feed it. Let it out to potty. Put
it to bed. Do not talk to it other then to give
it direction as when you put it outside. Do not
touch it. Do not make eye contact. If the dog comes
up to you and touches you, ignore it. This is called
No Free Lunches. It has to be a complete ignoring
of the dog by the whole family for the three day
period. Now, try the “Binky” routine.
If the dog still does not respond, you will most
likely need professional help to get through the
problem behavior.
If
the dog is greeting you with the “Binky”
but you still are finding chewed items, the problem
may be more then just anxiousness about you coming
or going. There are many things that can cause
a dog to become destructive. You need to note what
kind of damage is being done. Not just what is
being chewed, but where. For example, if you find
things removed from one room and taken to another,
this is significant. Other clues:
Does
the dog only chew certain types of things, like
items with your scent on them?
Or does the dog target the kids’ toys?
Does the behavior happen every time you leave the
dog or just occasionally?
If occasionally, does it happen on a certain day
of the week?
Does it only happen if you leave the dog in the
evening?
Does it happen if the dog hasn’t gotten his
meal at a regularly scheduled meal time?
Does it happen if you leave the house with other
people but never when you leave by yourself?
Play detective then call a professional to help
you interpret what you have seen.
Together, most problems are resolvable.
