I have a 10 month old lab/hound mix... not sure what type of hound, we rescued her from a shelter 6 months ago. Ever since we've gotten her, she's been in the crate at night and during the day when we're at work. We've just moved into a brand new home and for almost a month now, our puppy's been staying in our laundry room upstairs, without her crate, barracaded with a baby gate. Until recently we haven't had any issues. But twice in the past week, we've come home and found holes in the walls of the laundry room... with drywall all over her mouth and in her claws! We leave treats in her kong, at least three other chew toys, and we leave the radio on. We do excercise her when it's not raining outside, and even if it is, we still play fetch indoors. What are we supposed to do?
2007-01-23 10:37:23 · 22 answers · asked by alvin r 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like you gave her too much freedom too soon and she's not mature enough to handle it. I'd go back to crating her for a while. I'd also probably use one of those anti-chewing sprays you can get a Petsmart or Petco on the walls for the next time you decide to let her try out some freedom. Other than that, it sounds like you're doing it just right - leaving her in a small area (that can increase as she keeps proving herself mature enough to handle it), giving her toys, kongs, and radio. It just sounds like she's not quite ready.
Oh, and don't repair the wall until you know she won't chew it anymore. It'll end up costing you more to keep repairing it over and over.
2007-01-23 10:46:38 · answer #1 · answered by GoldenDonut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you got her from a rescue centre then you don't really know her inital up bringing so it could be a behavioural issue. This behaviour is normally due to teething and bordem.A dog like yours needs alot of mental and physical excercise regardless of the weather so make sure she has a good run before you leave her. You can also get sprays to put on walls etc to detare the chewing behaviour or even put pepper around the area as the smell will put her off. If it gets too bad then talk to your vet about behavioural issues. My border did exactly the same at her age but grew out of it,she's 8 now,and leaving the radio on helped. It may also be a good idea to leave her with rawhide chews and bones when you leave her. That way she'll have something nice to chew and it'll give her jaw excercise whilst lowering bordem when on her own.
2007-01-24 00:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by lee p 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's a baby still, and you are leaving her for too long on her own - also crating her for basically 24 hours a day would send any dog mental - she is basically in dog prison - also, getting a dog means you get a hat, a raincoat and a scarf for both of you - don't be fair weather walker get off your backside and walk the poor thing - she at least will get stimulation outside and get some fresh air. If you could not commit the time and energy to a dog you should not have got one - perhaps you should consider looking for a new home for her. Sorry to be so harsh, honestly I just worry about your dog and her sanity.
2007-01-26 23:02:53 · answer #3 · answered by zsphodge 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may frustrated and stressed from her new environment. Or there may be a dead animal in the wall? hmmm...and some dogs just need a lot of attention. You may need to make even more time to excercise with her and I would definatley enroll in a training course. If you do not have enough time for her you may consider fostering her until she can find a home where she will get more attention. If you are dedicated though keep trying! Good luck and woof! All the best, JB
2007-01-23 10:46:17 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never have got yourself a dog. It's being left far too long. I do hope that you're in the UK. Because after April this year, when the Animal Wefare legislation is updated, someone will be able to prosecute you for cruelty and neglect. It's good to know that, at long last, any pet owner, keeping a dog in less than fair conditions, can have their pet taken away from them. I don't have an issue with people who work. But they should, like me get that covered. I have a dog sitter from 9am to 4pm, so they are not left without human contact. You are so stupid and inconsiderate. Why don't people think through all the issues before taking on these responsibilities?
2007-01-27 03:16:40 · answer #5 · answered by denimlady1999 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
LMAO! this reminds me of my puppy too! he had always been in the crate, until he started behaving realy well. we have just bought a new house too. the painters came the day before to do the finishing touches, n we left our dog out the day after. he was good the first day., bt the 2nd day he had scratched most of the inside of the door. we tried again, n he had made a hole through the wall!!! he also had lots of chews and toys and a bed in there. bascaily wat we did was buy this spray that dogs dont like, n spray it on the wall and the door, n whereever else u dont want him to bite. u can get these sprays at all pet shops im pretty sure, its an anti-chewing spray basically. my dog stoppped n hes been good. good luck 2 u!
2007-01-23 21:18:52 · answer #6 · answered by Smiley 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put her in her crate! Your dog should stay in a confined area when you can't be there to watch it. But they also make a spray to deter a dog from chewing on things. One of my dogs hates the stuff, wont go near it. The other dog thinks the bitter apple spray is fantastic and will lick it off the floor. They have a few different variaties though, find one that deters.
2007-01-27 09:52:35 · answer #7 · answered by ♥willow♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should try not to leave her on her own for too long. She is obviously intelligent and is getting bored on her own. BTW she will still need exercising whatever the weather. It is not fair on a dog from a working background to be kept shut up inside and, after all, both labs and hounds are working breeds.
Hope you can find a solution.
2007-01-23 10:47:06 · answer #8 · answered by dawleymouse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aw, bless her, she's trying to dig her way out to find you!. You have shown her much love and care, then off you go out. Although you leave toys etc for her to play with, she is lonely and bored. See how excited she is when you get home, she gets the attention then, but when you're out,who is she to play with?. It's sometimes difficult to know what to do, but i emapthise with dogs alone, i think how i would feel shut up in a room with a few toys!. I always recommend getting another dog to keep each other company. Hope all goes well with your dog.
2007-01-23 10:50:26 · answer #9 · answered by Solista 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there maybe you should try bitter spry there not expensive and not harm full to your puppy that might stop her biting the wall. But don't think that will work with the scratching the best way to stop her would be to catch her in the act timing is every thing. Maybe you could pretend to go out and wait to see if she does it. If you catch her doing it, tell her no! firmly and punish her by spraining her with water on her or a loud noise. hope that helps
2007-01-23 11:27:23 · answer #10 · answered by kelly k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋