Refrigerator problems

[cobismom]

NEVER in my life of owning dogs and there have been at least 9 dogs in my life....have I had a dog(s) that have been able to break into the refrigerator and eat everything in site.
UNTIL NOW. By now I don't mean today, I mean about a year ago, Cobi, broke the seal on the refrigerator door and got it opened, he ate a lot (I mean A LOT!!!) of food....picture skinny dog, belly like a pregnant cow!

We have tried everything, new seals, bolts on the door, now we have the door tied shut, tied to the oven door, which is then tied to the pots and pans rack next to it. IF everyone cooperates and ties the door shut, no problems. So far neither Cobi or Casie can undo knots. But, sonny boy, is not always with the program, and is most likely to be on the run, and forget, and we have our little beagle "cowbelly" back....like tonight.

Cobi is getting older, he is 9 now, and I worry about so much food in his stomach, bursting the stomach or intestines, or even the hard work it puts on his kidneys and heart. He has arthritis in his knee, and that has got to be tough to jump or walk up the step to bed or the couch...with all that extra weight.

SO, my question, after all of that is.....any ideas on how to keep the refrigerator door shut....and the dogs from eating everything inside. I'd like to be able to buy a new frig, but that's not in the budget right now, although it may have to be, and then how to keep them out of it, or from striping the seals off the new one.

Ideas? I hate this, I feel like just a failure with my little (right now big) guy.

[BeagleWeegle]

Your not a failure in any way shape or form, what about a bungee cord? this may work, I would pass you one but of my screen wont suck through cyberspace yet "

[RosCole]

Don't fret you are not a failure! I have heard about this problem and beagles quite often.

Can you just keep him out of the kitchen altogether? That might be the easiest solution.

[Tucker]

I saw this on "It's Me or the Dog". They put an alarm on the fridge so when it was opened a loud sound went off. This startled the dog so much, he didn't raid the fridge. After a while the dog associated the fridge with the loud sound when it opened and didn't want to have anything to do with it again.

Just a thought.

[Double Trouble]

Originally Posted by Tucker

I saw this on "It's Me or the Dog". They put an alarm on the fridge so when it was opened a loud sound went off. This startled the dog so much, he didn't raid the fridge. After a while the dog associated the fridge with the loud sound when it opened and didn't want to have anything to do with it again.

Just a thought.

I saw this episode too, and although I've never had this problem with my two little darlings(yet!!!) I thought it sounded like a great solution. Certainly worth a try and cheaper than a new fridge- good luck x

[dudley]

we got some of those alarms at the pool store to alert us if a child opened a door onto the pool deck. they are small enough to hardly be noticed on the fridge but loud and piercing enough to discourage any dog.

[Rocky D.]

depending on your budget there are probably some solutions, I think keeping him out of the kitchen when you are not there would be the best solution, but here are some things I found:

Lock Release Fridge Latch - One Step Ahead Baby

Refrigerator Locks

REFRIGERATOR LOCK - Safety Latch at MyPreciousKid.com

Good Luck

[cobismom]

Rocky, I will definitely look into these and see what comes of it. Right now, we are nursing Cobi back to health, today is NOT a good day, I think he might be "backed up" acting a little lethargic, etc. I just don't want to have to have him go through by-pass surgery again, to get "unblocked". It was too hard on both of us.

thanks

[sheiser]

Just wanted to send Cobi lots of good thoughts, hope he's doing better!!

[cobismom]

Went to the Vet today, his ears were bothering him....no wonder he doesn't answer me....found out that his stomach is not quite empty (on what he ate, it wouldn't be) but nothing is "stuck" or hardening...so that is a good thing. He does have some Licking problems with his paws, so we got some hydrocortisone spray for those...and directions on making a bucket for his head if he doesn't stop. Crazy pooch loves everything we have tried on those paws from chilies to green apple/orange spray. They really gave him the once over, said he'd probably live another 5 years IF he'd stay out of the frigerator.

They are in a study with the University of MN Vet school to work with pet owners and the pets weight. So they got all that info from us and Cobi and will get Casie's info when he gets his shots.
We Americans it is thought over indulge our animals and think that food is making them happier animals...they are trying to see what it takes to get owners and pets to slim down. We can use all of that, I'd take them both to Weight Watchers with me, if they'd sign us up.

Told the vet about the refrigerator door locks and he is checking them out to have at the clinic, guess Cobi isn't the only food thief in the area. His weight????? 34 lbs...OMG!