Everyday when I leave for school, I am gone 5 to 8 hrs every day. I come home to my aparment to find a new hole in my wall.. I have a lab, and a dashound... Is this just there nature, or can I do something to provent them from doing this.. Both dogs are female, and under a year old... Any advise would be appreciated...
2006-09-28 21:49:24 · 7 answers · asked by ஐ♥Kaylee's mom♥ஐ 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My Border Collie used to do this when he was a puppy (about 6 mths old or so), usually during the period when i'm at school.
I think such behaviour stem from either extreme boredom or separation anxiety (this usually occurs in dogs that spend extended periods with owners and hence they get edgy when the owner is away), and i took a few months to correct his behaviour.
You mentioned that they are under a year old - so they qualify as puppies. Puppies usually have more energy to expend and may be slightly anxious when their owners are away (imagine a child being left alone on its own for 5-8 hours!). If time permits, try to exercise the dogs before you leave for school because a tired dog is usually a non-destructive dog. Leave them toys to play while you're away - e.g. kong toys that are stuffed with peanut butter and frozen overnight are great toys for killing boredom.
If the dogs are suffering from separation anxiety, it'll be harder to deal with because there will be more training involved. You will need to recondition them by remodelling their behaviour and desensitise them to the stimulus that gets them edgy. My dog used to get really nervous when i put on my street clothes and would bite my clothes and not let me go to school! I had to desensitise him by ringing my keys, putting on my street clothes, BUT staying at home. This helped to make him less sensitive to the things that made him edgy.
Dogs also need to feel secure like us humans. They need to know that their loved one (i.e. you) will return to them. During the initial reconditioning period, i would leave the house for 3 mins, then come back again. If your dog starts exhibiting the destructive behaviour within this time span, shorten the length of time you're away. Gradually increase this time span till your dog is comfortable to you leaving the house. At any point of time when your dogs start exhibiting the wall digging behaviour again, shorten the time span and start all over again.
Also, never make leaving or coming home a big thing. By saying a long goodbye to the dog, it confuses the poor dog when you suddenly just leave. Simply say a "seeya later" and leave. When you get home, don't greet the dog immediately or fuss over it. Put away your things and do your stuff and then greet the dog 15 mins later. This is part and parcel of building a strong between you and your dog so that he knows he has a leader in you and that he can trust you.
If you're still not sure how to go about solving this, engage the help of a dog trainer or dog behaviourist and i'm sure they'll sort it out for you.
Sorry for the lengthy answer but just wanted to share because i know how frustrated it can be since i've experienced it first hand.
Good luck!
2006-09-28 22:34:31 · answer #1 · answered by manniqueen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These dogs are obviously bored, frustrated and lonely. You need to crate them while you're gone. They're still puppies and labs are very high energy dogs. Do they get anywhere near enough exercise? Do they get any mental stimulation? Do some obedience, throw a ball or frisbee, take them for runs, train them for agility, do something before they get worse.
2006-09-29 09:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
being in an apartment its probably bordom, get some 2 liter coke bottles empy,with treats inside puch hole in the sides so they can smell the treats, my dog loves playing with them.
you need to walk them at least once a day mental stimulation is the key!!!!
2006-09-29 04:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by katishe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you need to determine why they are doing that. Is there something in the wall they are trying to get at? Maybe they get bored when you aren't there and that's how they entertain themselves. You need to be firm with them and let them know that you disapprove (but don't hit them). It's better if you can catch them in the act! Do they have toys to play with? Give them something to chew on and keep them busy in other ways.
2006-09-29 05:04:08 · answer #4 · answered by Sweetie Poo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to crate them.. You are going to have to pay for that damage and it will only get worse. This is why a lot of apartments dont allow dogs..
They are bored!
2006-09-29 05:03:54 · answer #5 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
watch the Dog Whisperer (google for it) pay attention
your dogs need walks, regularly, they feel in prison
2006-09-29 04:57:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
tie them to a pillar or.....whatever.
2006-09-29 04:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by fairy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋