My dog won't stop eating paper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MoonJoe

I hate to break this to you, but Rocky is a paperholic and he won't change unless he is willing to change. He won't be willing to change unless the pain of changing becomes less than the pain of not changing.

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Mmm, that's deep, man. For real, deep.

Arnold Poindexter: So what you're saying essentially is, is that along with infinite space which extends beyond perpetual bigness there's also infinite smallness?
Harold Wormser: [nods head in agreement]
Arnold Poindexter: How?
Harold Wormser: Easy. Take an asymptotic line and extend it outward.
Arnold Poindexter: Oh.
Stewart: Right, right, right. So perpetual bigness exists simultaneously with perpetual smallness. What was I thinking?
Ogre: What if uh C-A-T really spelled dog?
Arnold Poindexter: Wow.
Harold Wormser: God.
Stewart: Yeah.
Arnold Poindexter: That's heavy Ogre. Dog.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MoonJoe

I hate to break this to you, but Rocky is a paperholic and he won't change unless he is willing to change. He won't be willing to change unless the pain of changing becomes less than the pain of not changing. What you need to do for your own sanity is accept that he is not your responsibility anymore and not be dragged down by his self destructive paper eating habits and move on with your life. Until you do that, you only enable him to continue the viscous cycle of which you become a willing part of...

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Sage advice Moon Joe. Some dogs just can't (or are not willing ) to be trained.

So its like the old joke...

Q: How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: One. But first, the lightbulb has to accept the need for change.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MauiRam

So if Rocky eats another paper, Av should dump him off at the pound thereby absolving himself of responsibility? Perhaps another tack might be to do away with the usual doggie food and fill his bowl with paper scraps, they're a lot cheaper. Maybe set up the home/office shredder over his bowl. Just a thought ..

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Not exactly, this is where AV has to make a decision and come to terms with where his and Rocky's relationship is at this point. Does he accept Rocky for who he is and become willing to overlook the paper eating habit, or does he gently prepare Rocky for a life without AV perhaps to a home where his paper eating behavior is acceptable or quite possibly the pound because most normal families would not accept it. Then Rocky has to do some self searching as well. If he know paper hurts him, yet he continues to do so, is he willing to accept all of the consequences of his behavior or is he willing to try to seek help and maybe make changes in who is as a dog, pet and home protector.

All very complicated issues and very emotional. Presently the Moon household is dealing with poo eating, cat killing and stick eating in the house. All very difficult as well, but there is always hope! :D