Bitter Apple and Other Oddities

Ruby is currently going through a phase. I can't decide if it's equivalent to the "terrible twos" or the dreaded "rebellious teenage years." Maybe it's just a horrid mixture of both. Regardless, she is quite literally tearing my apartment to shreds. I'm talking destruction that entails eating baseboards, window sills, and my roommate's favorite shoes....

No big deal... just $80 shoes I now have to replace. I made the venture to PetSmart yesterday in desperate hopes that someone would be able to help me release Ruby of her chewing demons. Cue Bitter Apple:

This, my friends, is liquid gold if you have a dog who chews. It is colorless, odorless, and apparently tastes god-awful to dogs. It's also safe to spray virtually anywhere, including most fabrics. I sprayed some on the baseboards and my window sill as soon as I got home yesterday, and then patiently waited. It wasn't until this morning after running a quick errand that I got back and knew Ruby had had a lick of this magical potion. Trust me, she was NOT a happy camper. In fact, she's been hiding under the futon ever since... but I can live with that. Additionally, I purchased a handsome new choke collar (because I don't enjoy having my arm ripped out of socket everytime I take her downstairs to potty), a fire engine red leash (because it makes her blue eyes pop), all-natural peanut butter doggie biscuits and raw hide bones (because she needs encouragement for good behaviors), and some fun little toys...

(because in the end, I'm a big softie). The rubber foot squeaky toy is my personal favorite, but I can't help but wonder if that will only initiate bad behaviors in the form of cannibalism... Guess we shall see.