My puppy just loves to chew... she chews on everything and has even started chewing on cords. Luckily, none of them have been plugged into an outlet when she gets a hold of them or anything. I don't know what to do with her. I have to keep her in a cage at night because I'm afraid of her chewing on something, and I hate keeping her caged up. =[ Any help would be much appreciated!
2007-01-18 17:15:13 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
My dog is a basset hound mix- and no, she is not caged during the day and gets plenty of exercise.
2007-01-18 17:28:29 · update #1
Also, I have A LOT of chew toys and treats for her... and she doesn't seem to like being caged up even though the cage is right next to my bed. She'll whine, sometimes, and when I go to put her inside, she'll struggle getting in. =[
2007-01-18 17:29:48 · update #2
I had read many many times that dogs chew because they are bored. Sounds like your baby is an only child. I have one too a Basset Roscoe he's one. Positive reinforement such as giving her treats for fetching her toys lots and lots of toys. Sweet mommy talk to let her know your proud. Their reason for living is to make you happy. Untill she catches on keep her in her cage at night. I know as a mom you want her to sleep in bed with you so you can hold her all night. But truly she doesn't whine to hurt your feelings. The cage is her space put one of your old blankets or towels in there so it smells like you and she will feel safe. I kept Roscoe's cage by my bed. Soon she will prefer sleeping there to anywhere else aka the furniture. Positive reinforcement with potty training has also been the most successfull also. She will mess up every once in a while so put her in "her room" for a few mins while you clean it up she'll get the message. Dogs have been around humans for so long and vice versa you will soon be able to read her mind. Best of Luck! and Congrats Your a Good mom I can tell!
2007-01-18 17:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by toniraemoore 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you catch her in the act enough times she will eventually learn what she can and can't chew. Catching her in the act is very important so you are doing the right thing by crating her when you sleep.
You can start by feeding her in the crate during the day with the door open (just remember eating stimulates a bowel movement). If you ever give her a treat at home make sure it is in the crate. You can start by just throwing treats in there and eventually you want her go in on her own and then reward her. If she experiences a lot of positive things in the crate then she will start to like it. I would also save her most appealing chew toy for the crate only.
With young dogs its all about positive and negative. Good experiences when they are doing some thing you want and bad when they are doing something you don't. Eventually it will be imprinted into their brains (if you start at a young age). The biggest mistake people make is focusing to much on the negative reinforcement when you should spend the majority of your time focused on giving positive reinforcement
p.s. I have a basset hound and they are whiners! Their vocal selves can be both very funny and very annoying.
2007-01-19 02:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Zoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say the number one reason for chewing is bordom.
I suggest you study your breed and find out what is was originally bred for. Then try to help the dog to live as close to the standard as possible.
I have an Akita and they are known for chewing. To avoid this I give my dog a walk in the morning and at night. My dog walks for at least two hours a day but this is extreme and I am not suggesting you do this. But I have to say - He does not chew.
I also purchase bones, you should not give your dog toys or bones until you are about to leave. I suggest you limit the destruction of your property to one room in the house and then dog proof it the best you can. I think you should consider purchaing a tredmill and get your dog to walk on this for an hour each day - it will be that tired he won't be bothered to chew.
2007-01-19 05:30:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your puppy actively know the word NO? Does she sit on command and stay when you tell her? In short, has she been trained that she is lower ranking in the family "pack" and has to listen to you, the leader of the pack?
If yes, then you shouldn't have any problems enforcing rules about what she can (her toys) and can't (your stuff) chew and destroy...
Problems such as you're describing almost always originate from a lack of gentle authority (on the part of the owner) and training. The essence of training is not to have a trick dog that obeys like a robot on command, instead the essence of training is to teach a dog that they must listen and follow the human's lead, even when they think otherwise. What they learn by obeying you when you say "SIT", carries over into when you say, "NO! You can't chew on that! That is not allowed! Here you can chew on this lovely Boodha Bone, you good girl..."
Dogs speak a very simple and dramatic language. When she chews something bad, or even start to, do raise cain in loud screaming rants to get her attention! At this point (8 months) that's probably what it will take to get her attention away from chewing. inappropriate objects. Give her appropriate toys at such times and lavish her with praise when she starts to chew on them.
Also, give a WIDE variety of toys--she should have 20 toys or so of all shapes, textures, sizes and materials. I tell owners to expect to spend around $500 (or $50 a month) or so in the first year of a puppy's life with toys--lotsa moola, I know, but as you're seeing as this age they love to get into trouble and with lots of destoyable toys, it eases the strain on you and your belongings considerably (and as they get older, often only a few toys a year are enough, but NOT in the first year!)
And work on the trainiing in general. If she'll sit and stay until released by you (something every puppy should learn by 6 months to help enforce the law that you are the boss/leader), you'll see much less troubles overall.
Also, be aware that bassetts are one of the most stubborn of breeds, and are notorious for aversion to training, so you really do have your work cut out for you. But the time and effort you put in will be well rewarded by a lifetime of calm and peace together.
2007-01-19 05:07:17 · answer #4 · answered by Todd M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chewing is a normal part of puppyhood, but may also be a sign that your dog isn't getting enough exercise if she's restless. Make sure she has plenty of her own chewy toys. Many dogs love Kong toys because you can put a treat inside them... mine prefers ropes.
Dogs sleeping in crates at night is normal. Our dog sleeps in his crate even though the door is open. It's his home and where he feels safest. As long as they don't feel like they're being punished, it's fine. Is the dog crated during the day? That may be part of the problem.
It also just takes them a while to learn the rules. We have a can of pennies we shake when our dog starts to get into something he's not supposed to. It's his signal to go and do somethig else.
2007-01-19 01:26:13 · answer #5 · answered by pj_anykid 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may hate keeping her in a cage. But your hate it even more when you have to bury her in the yard. Not only do you have to worry about her chewing, but you should worry about her eating some that might hurt her as well. I just saw a thing on Animal Planet about dogs swollen rocks and lose change. The dog is like a little kid right now. If you can't supervise her then put her in the cage.
2007-01-19 01:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our Lab did the same thing. The older he got the more he chewed. He chewed on cords and shoes and video games and other expensive things. We ended up giving him to my mother-in-law who had a big yard for him and etc...
We spent alot of $$$ on toys and cages and etc.
Obedience school is the best thing to do if you want to keep your things.
We have a Shitzu now and she is the opposite. So all dogs are different. That is just her personality most likely
Good luck and take care
2007-01-19 01:53:29 · answer #7 · answered by princesandy2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cage is a good idea. don't worry as usually the puppy will be happy if you keep the cage close to you at night.
also puppies like to chew. they should be given things to chew like rawhide and chew toys.
also teach your dog to fetch. when my puppie shih tzu learnned to fetch he stopped most of his distructive chewing as i kept him busy fetching his favoriate toy of the day.
every day my puppy (Reggie) will pick a favoriate toy and want me to play fetch. He cut his distructive chewing out then after getting his mind off of his bad hablit. Like people who bite their nails ...etc etc.
2007-01-19 01:27:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Two possible reasons. Not enough outside activity. Wrong diet
2007-01-19 01:29:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they make all kinds of sprays to use to keep them from chewing. go to petsmart.
2007-01-19 01:19:26 · answer #10 · answered by bjd72003 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋