OK, I have to credit the Daily Mail here. Brilliant! I have one of those mad dogs who quietly chews things. Last week I had to throw the butter away, because he licked it. The grown-ups weren't paying attention and when I looked again, he was drooling over it.
Then, he ate Grandpa's Christmas present. Not the whole thing, just nibbled the corner off and left the pieces on the bed in case it can be fixed! It can't, and there are none left in stock either so Grandpa is getting a dog-chewed present.
And tonight, I brought in the logs for the fire and couldn't believe it - the dog had helped himself to the kindling and had chewed it in his bed.
I have thought about whether he is lacking something in his diet; I hope not because my pampered pooches only eat Hill's Science Plan. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to the chewing either. He is well exercised. And he wasn't like this as a puppy. I have checked his gums too in case he has a problem with his mouth - it all looks good in there.
So I can only conclude that it is my fault. You see, I give them a treat box every day when I leave the house. They have to open the box to get to the treats. The boxes are old margarine and butter tubs! He probably thinks I'm such a good Mummy providing all these wonderful, exciting and new treats.
I knew it, he's not a bad dog, I am a bad owner. Must do better.