Destructive Australian Shepherd?

Question

How can I stop my australin shepherd from chewing up everything?He gets walked sometimes twice a day and gets played with all day and i also have another dog who plays with him too ,so he has a pretty active day but as soon as we leave to go out or even if i go upstairs for too long ill come down to a huge mess of him destroying something.Can you train a dog not to be less destructive ,I dont know if there is help for that but if you could i would like to know how,Would a dog training school help with this because this is the only problem we have with him other than this he is very good but my carpet and furniture or whatever he feels like chewing up is costing me way to much.He is 8 months and just got him nutured.

Also he has tons of toys and bones that we give.

Answer 1

They do need a job, take him to work if you can make him get the paper and check under the bed, get the mailman(silly stuf like that), and definetely restricted teritory. My prescious had not been let to stay out of her cage unless we are with her until she was about 20 months, she was on a run too. Later the chewing stops too, so cheer up it is likely to get better,Gradually let him be a grown up. Now at 25 my anabelle is mellow, does not chew, does not need caged or run. It is all possible.
Best of Luck

Answer 2

Well, Australian Cattle dogs are herding dogs. They NEED a job to do. Don't be surprised if he starts biting your heels or nipping- it's in their blood to do stuff like that if they are bored. Training school may help, but look up info on their breed first. Right now, you can try things that'll take his mind off of being destructive. Buy a Kong toy (from petsmart or petco or wherever) and stuff it with peanut butter or wet dog food or cheese or a treat- and make it difficult to get out. Give this to him once or twice a week (if you give it to him more, he'll get good at it and it'll become boring to him) and it'll keep him busy for quite awhile. But seriously, look up the info on him first. Then if all else fails take him to a trainer.

Answer 3

Since you know you can't trust him to be unsupervised, you should find a room (kitchen/bathroom/laundry room) where there is little/less to destroy and gate him in when you must leave him alone--you should leave bones/his toys for him to play with. He has to earn the right to have free reign in the house. Also, eight months is the time when dogs are in the teething throws--so make sure you have plenty of durable bones. Try to substitute anything inappropriate for chewing with one of his toys. And, if he chews while you aren't watching, don't yell at him when you find it because he won't know why you are yelling--and that won't train him.

Answer 4

Here is a very successful training program available online:

http://skycforme.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/?type=chewing

Also visit my site here for Australian Shep Training
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/go.php?aff=skycforme&type=australianshepherd

Here is another great program and membership site dealing with chewing behavior:
http://www.dogproblems.com/chewing.cfm?affID=dogs360

Here is more free info that may be useful:
My Doggy Blog
http://dog-training-sites.blogspot.com/

Answer 5

a walk isnt enough for this kind of dog
Aussies are extremely intelligent they need good mental stimulation
Obedience classes (and practice) are a start.. he would probably LOVE agility...
they were bred to herd and need to be mentally busy.. they need a job