I have two black labs that are very smart and friendly. But whenever we are gone they take things off the table and chew it up (mostly the mail!!). They never do it when anyone is watching so it is difficult to make them stop. We have tried giving them lots of soft toys to chew on but it has not detered them. It's driving me crazy!
2007-02-23 11:56:39 · 20 answers · asked by kswan_esq 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They are Bored. When you leave, dogs don't know when you are coming back.....if ever! So this is stressfull and after the first 5min. you are gone, they are ready to entertain themselfs! I know you said you have toys for them, make sure they are toys big enough for them to play with together, for example a huge rope for "tug a pull". They may get tired with the same toys and they find new toys(mail) to play with. Try rotating their toys each week. Put some up and the following week change out. When u are home with them get a toy and a piece of mail. Put them side by side (on floor or table) If they go for the toy - treat- or praise. When they go for mail - scold the dog or some kind of negative response - shaking a can with pennies in it works good for really hardheaded dogs. In the beggining put their toys in the chairs or on the floor of the table. Maybe when they go for the table, they will remember negative response for mail, and see their toys and do the right thing. When you are at home, work with them SEPERATELY as much as possible, until they get it. When you think they are ready slowly start moving their toys away from the table and and back where they belong....If you don't want toys around your table. Hope this helps, not an expert but had many dogs and this is what i would try if i had this problem. Regardless i am sure you will love both of you your labs which everyone knows are big sweathearts!
2007-02-23 12:25:25 · answer #1 · answered by cueteclady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You simply have to put the mail away. That's like your mom putting a bowl of your favorite candy on the table when you were six or seven, telling you not to eat any and then leaving the house for six hours! Yeah Right! Other things can be sprayed with a product called bitter apple or bitter yuck available at pet stores. Most dogs wont chew things sprayed with this. Broke my dog of chewing plants and electric cords with that stuff. You also must work on table being off limits at all times!!! Good Luck.
2007-02-23 12:16:24 · answer #2 · answered by shugabuns 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labs love paper wood sticks you name it. Try taking some old mail spaying with a repellant then leave it where you normally leave mail. Theyll get the hint eventually. Soft toys arent really that great for labs. Pull toys and ropes are best mine chew on them and pull them constantly and I have 5
2007-02-23 12:03:06 · answer #3 · answered by gary b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This worked for me,,hope it does for you,, FIRST- Do not let the dogs have a run all over the house,,,,,contain them either in the kitchen,,, living room what's covient for you a space where they can not tear up,,,,,Leave lots of Rawhide Chews,,,, Plenty of Water,, and a blanket for them to have to lie on. Leave an artical of clothing so that they smell you and feel secure. Last of all keep either a radio or TV on so they will think someone is there,,,I listen to country music alot on TV leave it on there when I left and I quess they thought I was there just in another room doing something.,,,,so they never tore up anything again. Best of luck,,hope these tips HELP !
2007-02-23 12:07:01 · answer #4 · answered by nc_debi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a chocolate lab myself mix with brittany spaniel ... very smart but very stubborn & goofy. I would recommend disciplinning them ... or you could point to the thing that they are chewing up and tell them no...or when they are near it and don't chew it up compliment them and give them a treat... they will eventually learn not to chew it up if they are getting a treat then after a while they will get out of the habit of chewing stuff period that way you don't need to give them a treat
2007-02-23 12:03:11 · answer #5 · answered by gboro_beast 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could keep the mail in a cabinet to solve that problem. Also, at most pet stores you can buy Apple Bitter spray. It is a spray with a flavor that most dogs don't like. Spray that on the things you dont want them chewing up and see if that works.
2007-02-23 11:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to properly train your pup to be a well-behaved adult dog. Pups lose their baby teeth between 4-6 months of age & get their adult teeth. Dogs & pups like to chew, puppies obviously chew more often due to teething, but the best thing to do is to provide plenty of toys & bones for your pup/dog to chew on. I have Chihuahua's & they love Dingo bones!!
2016-03-29 09:20:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi,
dogs have a tendency to chew things up. lucky for you only the mails! and not the couch, shoes or anything else.
most dogs chew things because they need attention. in the case of mails, maybe the dogs does not like the mailman......
you must train your dogs by talking to them and setting an example. if you see your mail torned, pick it up and call your dogs and talk to them. let them smell the mail and maybe a slight spank with the torn mail to them. its like telling them chewing mails, you get angry.
2007-02-23 12:05:07 · answer #8 · answered by generbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dip something they would usually chew in some chilli or vinegar. A couple of times of getting that in their mouths will deter them!
2007-02-23 12:00:34 · answer #9 · answered by canguroargentino 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
u should give them a bone to chew on the whole time u r gone
2007-02-23 12:00:22 · answer #10 · answered by solochick101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋