2007-02-09 14:21:16 · 12 answers · asked by nbp88 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just provide lots of toys....also, we rub bacon grease on his toys and he wants to lick it all off and leaves the furniture alone. See if that helps!
2007-02-09 14:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a current 7-month old Dal. I lost another Dal last year (he was 13 years, 9 months - I still miss him dearly). These are high energy dogs, but they are also fun-loving and little clowns. They are loyal and very protective. They pout and they love approval. And contrary to lots of public opinion, they can be trained (for both obedience and tricks).
Despite my love for these dogs, puppyhood is tough. Sometimes you just want to strangle them! LOL! But they have such a cute look when they think you're mad. :-)
I learned a lot from the Dal I lost last year, so I was well prepared for puppyhood this time.
First, get a crate. This is mandatory with Dals. You can't always watch your pup and Dals become VERY easily bored. He will chew when given the chance. Dals also like crates (provided they have enough room). So get a big crate, give him treats and make the crate his own space. I just have to point to my pup's crate now and he goes in - plus he knows he'll get a treat once inside. Dals are especially food oriented so use that to your advantage when training. Putting him in his crate will help save your house when you can't watch him or aren't home. Don't feel guilty. I did that with my last Dal and let him be free when I wasn't home - the result was disaster. He chewed EVERYTHING!
Keep in mind that dogs are not mentally mature until 3 years of age. So while he may look like an adult, his mind is still learning and growing. Don't let his size fool you. You may need to keep after him for a few years. Yes, this is work, but after these initial years, you'll find a very faithful, playful, loving, loyal dog.
Lots of advice posted was great. For example, be sure to puppy-proof your house. Anything that he can reach is open to chewing, so remove temptation. Don't leave out papers or pens as they can be and most likely will be chewed. Keep an eye on him when he's free. Don't yell, just give an "Uh Uh!" type of sound. This will startle him and also help teach him that what he was about to do is not approved by you - the "alpha dog".
Some people use vinegar sprays. I have never tried this, but if it works well for you, great. I prefer the crate and watchful eye method as I don't want my furniture and clothes smelling like vinegar. ;-)
I hope this helps a bit and enjoy your new Dal!
2007-02-09 23:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by doctoru2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3 months is very young. Dalmations are pretty high energy dogs. Your pup needs to burn LOTS of energy. So, 1) take it on short walks SEVERAL times a day; roll a tennis ball across the yard for it to chase after (try 2 of them, keep one in your hand until he gets the other, then toss the 2nd one... pick up the first, etc) BURN UP THAT ENERGY! Then, steps 2 and 3: 2) provide lots of appropriate chew toys... rub them in your hands for a few minutes first, to put your scent on them, he'll like them better, and 3) Invest in a crate of an appropriate size. When you are not able to provide adequate supervision for the dog (i.e., you're cooking, watching TV and ignoring him, taking a shower, whatever) then he should be crated. Some people think this is cruel. But I urge you to read about it. It is a good thing for them. My dog (3 yrs old) still likes to sleep in her crate at night, and sometimes in the day if the family is making more noise than she wants to be subjected to! It'll become your pups "cave" or "den" or whatever you want to call it. Put it where your pup can see you wherever you are in the house during the day; in your bedroom at nighttime. Drape a sheet or blanket over the back 3/4 of it to make it more cavelike. He'll love it!
An alternative to some of the crating, is to attach your pup to your belt with a 4 ft leash, so as you move around, he does too. He is forced to follow you (also good technique to work on wearing a leash) and he can't access the furniture, shoes, whatever.
Be aware that he might be teething right now, but if you do not provide enough appropriate activity for him as he gets older, he may chew out of boredom.
Have some patience, and put in some time outside burning up all that puppy energy!!
2007-02-09 22:49:23 · answer #3 · answered by victronia 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Puppy proof your home. Put things up so that he cannot reach them. Make a basket of his own things and provide fresh toys and chewies every day (rotate them so he doesn't get bored with them). Get a "kong" toy and stuff it with his kibble or a bit of soft cheese spread or peanut butter. Give that to him only when you leave the house. Crate-train him and put him in the crate when you are not there to supervise him. (Or use baby-gates to create a safe play area for him in the kitchen or other area of your home.) Crate training is useful for house-training, travel, safe haven for him if you have company that is tiring him out, etc. also. Don't scold him for choosing the wrong thing - it's not his error - it's yours. He doesn't know til you teach him. You need to supervise him 100% of the time so that you can teach him what is ok to chew and what is not. Puppy breath!! Love puppies!!!
2007-02-09 22:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by Santal 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well i have a yorkie pup, and she did the same thing, we actuallu caught her trying to chew the molding on our walls, so yea i scoulded her, and popped her little butt, then i took hot sauce at dabbed just a little on the area she was trying to chew...then i grabbed her and stuck her little nose in it...she didnt seemed bothered by it, so i took some and put in on my finger, and then shoved it in her mouth so she could get the taste....she was licking her tongue for a while that day. the next day she went back over to that spot she was trying to chew, smelled what was there and walked away. the hot sauce wiped right off of the molding with water...it worked, and she has yet to chew the walls again. yea and chew toys are awesome too! :D
2007-02-13 22:16:24 · answer #5 · answered by dixiegurl6988 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck! I hate teething! When I find my pups teething on something they shouldn't be I scold them, take the object away then give them a rawhide chewy instead. I should have bought stocks in rawhide chewies, they are wonderful things for puppies!
2007-02-09 22:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would get lots of toys and raw hides appropriate for his size and maybe try the chilly bone they sell at pet stores
good luck
2007-02-10 03:20:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
give him toys that are more fun to chew than furniture.you can also role the toys in dog food or put something in a hole in the toy and give it to the puppy.
2007-02-09 22:25:59 · answer #8 · answered by kittyhugger@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
buy puppy toys and anti-chew spray. spray the item with the spray and when you see the dog chew the items, pop him
2007-02-09 22:44:59 · answer #9 · answered by Stephen'sGirl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we found a toy called "canine genius" it can be filled with food or treats and keeps my dogs occupied for hours and you can create puzzles out of them too
http://www.caninegenius.com/
2007-02-09 22:34:27 · answer #10 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋