I have an 8 month old St. Bernard / English Mastiff mix and he has a chewing problem. I have been told it's because he is bored, but I'm not sure how that could be since we are really good about walking him and playing with him. We have another dog & 2 children that show him much attention. He really only does it when we are not home (is he mad at us for leaving him?) Other than the chewing problem he is an awesome dog. I know he is just a puppy and that puppies chew, but I'm not sure how to get him to know that he can't do it. I never really catch him in the "act" so how do I "punish" him for something that he did awhile ago?
2006-07-10 01:15:45 · 27 answers · asked by Christine 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'm not sure how you make him stop other than give him lots of bones and chew toys. He will chew until he's done teething just like a baby. My dog chewed on pretty much everything she could find so my advice is just don't leave anything on the ground till he grows out of it like shoes lol.
2006-07-10 01:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by babyblue0222 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he only does it when you are not home, then it could be one or both of these: (1) no one pays him attention when you are not home, so he gets bored and chews, and/or (2) he gets anxious when you are not home. It's great that you give him so much attention when you are there, but dogs are such social animals that it is easy for them to feel like this when you are gone.
One solution is a bitter apple spray that you can put on anything that he has chewed or would chew. It supposedly tastes really bad to them. You can get it at any pet store, but be warned that some dogs actually like the taste (my shih-tzu is one).
Another solution is a crate, although you will need quite a big one for your large puppy. Get your dog used to it by giving him treats, food, and nap time in there. Make it a comfortable place for him. Once he gets used to it as his little hide-away, leave him there with some chew toys and treats while you are gone. Since he is supposed to associate his crate as a safe place, he will feel comfortable in there, and even if he did get the urge to chew, he would chew his toys instead of your house.
Hope this helps!
2006-07-10 05:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by Dayelin R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is just being a puppy. When a puppy chews, it does not mean that they are only bored, but it could mean many things. For example, my puppy chewed when he was loosing his teeth and chewing was the only way to get the baby teeth out and bring in the new adult teeth. Sometimes, they chew CERTAIN things to get your attention. It is a sign telling you that they need some extra lovin!
You can buy "bitter Apple" spray for dogs. It's a spray that does not ruin or stain anything, but will deter your dog from chewing. It worked for my dog. he always went after the stair carpet, so I sprayed it and he hasn't gone back since!!! Good luck!
2006-07-10 02:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by english_argie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you catch him at it, do not punish. I would keep nylabones on the floor of every room that he goes in. Also buy Bitter Apple or Bitter Lime at your pet store and spray it on all the things that you do not want him chewing on. Even older dogs like to chew. It's a dog thing.
Take a look in the dog's mouth, make sure that all the puppy teeth have come out. Sometimes a puppy tooth doesn't come out. It will usually be seen behind an adult tooth. They need to be removed by a vet.
2006-07-10 01:51:28 · answer #4 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate the dog when you are gone and your problem is sloved.
Pups chew they teethe and loose the baby teeth it hurts and they chew to releave the pain.
Also they chew because they are bored. You are not home and your dog is bored. Dog live in the momnet not thinking about what you did 15 minutes ago. They know you are not there right now and he is bored so he amuses himself. Unfortuneately not in way that amuses you.
Give him something he can chew on before you leave, confine him to a room where he can not chew on theings and pick up anything that he could (puppy proof the room) or get a crate.
If he is crated he can not chew up the house and he can not get into anything that could hurt him.
2006-07-10 01:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably the teeth. My cocker did the same thing. I bought her several chew toys. I got some that were softer & some harder ones. Make sure to pick up anything that you dont want the dog to get when you leve. I even made sure all the doors to the kids rooms were closed. We even found teeth that had fallen out!!
Also take the things he has chewed on, shake them at him and tell him NO!! Make sure he knows your not playing. Repeat this several times. Then when you think he gets what you are telling him, switch to a toy he can have and play with him. Hope it works for you.
2006-07-10 03:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by deerwatcher05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some dogs just have a need to chew, some grow out of it some dont. You just have to give him chew toys and punish him for chewing anything else, keep at it soon he will get the message. You punish him by taking him by the lead and pointing to his misdeed and saying no, no, no bad dog again and again. This is training then give hime a chew toy and take him away from there.
2006-07-10 02:09:51 · answer #7 · answered by kiss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chewing is all part of the puppy stage, but sometimes dogs do stuff like that out of spite! We have a boxer that did the same thing! We bought a kennel and we put her in it when we leave! It has done miracles!! And it not only keeps her from is behaving, but she likes it and it gives her a secure get away!
2006-07-10 01:58:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your pup is bored or teething or both. Crate training is, contrary to popular belief, not cruel and harsh. Dogs naturally make dens for themselves, and a crate is just an artificial cave that a dog can have as his den. If you crate-train your dog (it does take training, but how much depends on the dog; one of mine took to his crate immediately, the other is still in training after a couple of months), you can confine him with his chewtoys in his crate while you are out. No more inappropriate chewing, no more need to feel resentful of your dog when you come home to find something you loved chewed to bits.
The only way to get a dog to stop a behavior he engages in while you are not around to correct him is to make that behavior not an option. My dog was peeing on my bed sometimes when we were out even though he's housetrained when we're around. The only way to resolve that problem was to crate him so he couldn't have the option of peeing on our bed. Problem solved.
2006-07-10 03:39:54 · answer #9 · answered by tenzo0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All puppies chew. Best to provide him with the proper items to chew, chew toys, beef bones, etc. Block him into the same room or confined space when you are not home an provide him with a chewing device. Scold him gently when he chews the wrong thing and show him the proper item to chew. He will, with patience, out grow the constant chewing!
2006-07-10 01:21:45 · answer #10 · answered by kenjaycorp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋