My black lab is 3 years old and is very very sweet, but man-o-man is she destructive. She digs and chews up everything. I thought that was just a puppy thing. I have thought about dog training, but don't have the time. Any suggestions?
2006-12-11 08:12:08 · 15 answers · asked by Goober W 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This "acting out" behavior is usually a sign of not enough attention. I have a lab and know that thier dramatic nature sometimes draws you into feeling pity for them so there's a fine line and you have to be strong with your boundaries. If you haven't disciplined her from the beginning, it's going to be a tougher battle but one you can win. She's not going to understand now why you're holding her accountable for her actions when you've let these episodes pass without punishment (usually out of guilt) in the past. It's a bit of starting over so you have to be even firmer and very consistent with the punishment and their terms each time. Try starting to confine her space to either a large dog crate or gating off parts of the house which leave room for destruction. Supply her with Nylar bones, which are good dental supplements that keep her busy and if you present them as "treats", she'll most likely revere them and want them more. Reward her when you come home and there is no evidence of destruction. If something has occurred, immediately banish her from the "people" parts of the house and put her back in her confined area with admonishing words that she can understand. Other than that, just more time, behavior reinforcement and consistency are the most important tools for an owner.
's
2006-12-11 08:23:05 · answer #1 · answered by chefmaura 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can't take the time to train the dog, it will have nothing to depend on but its instincts, which are to chew and dig. For the sake of your sanity and possessions, I suggest making the time to take her to training for an hour a week.
Both my labs were destructive as pups, but training them regularly for a couple of years has guaranteed me two wonderful, obedient companions for the rest of their lives. Think about it from your dog's perspective: do you think she wants to spend her whole life being yelled at (or worse, given up) because you didn't teach her that what she's doing is wrong? Because she will not figure it out on her own.
2006-12-11 08:18:18 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Lisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could always hire someone else to train your dog for you. Some professional trainers even offer a training "boot camps" where they house and train your dog for 6-8 weeks.
Be warned however, that no matter how good the trainer it takes a certain amount of time and commitment on your part to have a well behaved dog. Sometimes training must be reinforced or retrained on a regular basis. This will vary both with different dogs, and at different stages of life for that dog.
2006-12-11 08:27:32 · answer #3 · answered by Ann O. Nym 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any breed of dog will be a destructive nightmare if they are not trained. They don't come into the world knowing what is and is not ok to to chew, or not to dig. It sounds like she could do with some exercise and training.
2006-12-11 08:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by Lotus Effect 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have the time for obedience training, then you don't have the time for a pet.
Sorry, but labs are very energetic and easily bored, and they turn to things that seem fun to them if you aren't providing boundaries and proper toys.
YOU need to be trained to learn proper discipline and it needs to be firm, consistent and appropriate. Your dog won't learn to stop this behavior and start good behavior if you dont know how to train him.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but your Lab will react well with training. Without it, you'll be wasting all your time cleaning up his messes, filling in his holes and buying new furniture - not to mention the time you may spend at the vet, getting him cut open to retrieve something he swallowed from his stomach before it kills him. So you figure out what you have time for, or give up the pet to someone who does have time.
2006-12-11 08:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by KB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is probably chewing out of boredom. Labs are notorious chewers. A tired dog is a happy, well behaved dog. Is she crate trained? You might want to look into that. Here's a website that might be helpful. http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
Additionally she should be getting walked/run daily. Just putting her in the backyard does not constitute exercise. Play fetch with her, take her hiking, whatever it takes to tire her out. You could look into doggie daycare or a dog walker if you don't have the time.
2006-12-11 08:37:09 · answer #6 · answered by paolaane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a yellow lab puppy. Complete nightmare. Destroys and steals everything. Have her run with another dog everyday for 15 min. That will tire her out a little. Take her for lots of walks. Everyone keeps telling my that my pup will be better in 2 years but i dont see that happening...
2006-12-11 08:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by babygirlxo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a destructive German shepherd, but I found that mentally stimulating her, plenty of exercise and cross socialization with other dogs has really helped. I don't believe in totally exhausting her, but I do make sure I'm aware of her needs. It might mean I have to take a few days out of my day to spend time with her, but it has led to a much happier dog and a much happier me!! Good luck!
2006-12-11 08:21:27 · answer #8 · answered by waggy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do, just put valuables out of her reach, get a lid for your trash, put her in a doggy proof room with baby gates. watch her when she is outside, then when she digs yell "NO!". Also hide some treats around the house to keep her occupied. make some doggy pops by filling a container with water then putting treats in there, then freezing it. then when she has to be alone give it to her to chew on. that's what I do
2006-12-11 08:20:59 · answer #9 · answered by raz p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
owning a dog is a big responsibility you need to make time for them, labs are very easy to train. make sure she has a lot of chew bones.
2006-12-11 08:18:52 · answer #10 · answered by Mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋