How do I keep my dog from chewing up walls, carpets, etc when not at home?

Question

She is a 1 1/2 year old golden retriever. I do not want to crate her. I think she is bored when left home alone. Other than that she is a good girl.

Answer 1

You don't have to crate her, I don't care what anyone else said. Leaving a dog crated for 8-9 hours a day while you're at work is nonsense. If you can possibly put her in one area of your home that doesn't have wallpaper or carpet, maybe your kitchen would suffice, or maybe a bathroom, get a baby gate and block her from the rest of the house until you return. Problem is that she's young and full of energy and she gets frustrated, so if you can take her for a run or brisk walk before you leave her or take her outside and play fetch the ball over and over again, it will expend a lot of energy before you leave. I know it means you'll have to put that extra time aside or have to wake up earlier, but she deserves it and you need your carpet and wallpaper! Give her safe chew toys, leave a radio on a soothing station to keep her company, too. They're people dogs, so the music will keep her company.

I've had 2 goldens and they are the most intelligent, affectionate, trainable, loyal dogs in the world. My second one, Dillon, is 14 years old and feeling his old age, poor boy, just typing this makes my eyes tear. Good luck, she'll be fine!

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with crating your dog. Think of it as her den. Pick up a book on crate training. if you do it right they will love their crate. My dogs go in there on their own, whenever they want to be alone or take a nap. Put her in a crate when you are out of the house so that she won't destroy everything and they when you get home, take her potty and play a ton with her. She will be a much happier and healther dog for it. (who know what she could get into when you are gone. . .you could come home to a very sick dog!)

Answer 3

He needs training and to be crated-at least at first. You should spend time with him everyday training him and getting him used to skeeping in a crate or a place set aside just for the dog like a space in the garage or laundry room or something. Can he be an outdoor dog at all?

Answer 4

Buy him a crate and leave it in it. Make sure he has adequate water(and food, depending on how long he'll be alone), and a blanket. Don't leave the water in a way he can knock it over and have to lay in a puddle. That's not fun.
Also be sure you're buying the right size; a dog should be able to stand in the cage, but not walk around more than a pace or two.

Answer 5

Your dog obviously needs to be kept in a crate when no one's home. Is this a young puppy you're talking about? If so, the dog should be able to be loose in the house when it's older and past the chewing stage.

Answer 6

CRATE THE BEAST !!LOL... really. i crate trained all 4 of my great danes... after each meal they have a mandatory 1 hr nap and when i'm gone and at night. all other time they have access to outside (doggie door) and 2acre fenced yard.... best set up i have ever tried !!all dogs house broken in one day ! only booboo's happen when i close the doggie door too long. ooops .lotsa toys to chew in thr crate and pig ears. never punish there its there "happy place"

Answer 7

Theres this great product you can buy at your local Petsmart or Petco and its called "Get Off" it smells like lemon and the dogs HATE it.

They stay away from it, because dogs dont like the smell included in the product. You can spray it on your wall, and spots of the carpet.

Just visit the store and ask for the spray that keeps dogs away from certain items..they'll know what you're talking about.

Answer 8

Crate your dog, or put them in a secure outside yard area. your dog is destroying stuff because it is mad or bored. Make sure it has been housebroken and trained, and has toys to occupy itself when left home.

Or if it's just a chewer use Bitter Apple AND give chew appriopriate toys to it.

Answer 9

Crate train!
three websites on how to crate train
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~rc207100/info-pub.htm

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

http://www.planeturine.com/pettips/dsp_crateTrainPuppy.cfm

Answer 10

try putting them in a cage with their favorite toys, blankets, and cushons. if they refuse to get in take some treats and throw them in. put in a long lasting bone in there so they chew on that to keep them busy. put some music on or the TV so they dont feel left alone.