What to do about a dog who chews on plastic-anything plastic & sprays his bed??

Question

He's our second rescue dog from a shelter. They both came (6 months apart) with lots of problems but are slowly getting 're-house-oriented.' But this chewing on anything plastic is getting me down and got even worse while our 3 year old granddaughter was here for 3 days. He chewed up all her 'princess' tiny little pieces, (the ones my eyes could find that she dropped). But it goes beyond her toys. Plastic anything he can reach, find, climb up and get. Yes, he climbs up cupboard doors to counters (also trees, fences and bushes--lots of redoing things around here since we got him 6 months ago.)
He also will spray his bed but I think that's from being caged in w/50 other beagles at the original home--a horder. I think they peed on him as part of their pecking order? so he thinks a bed should smell? They have learned basic training well!
pls

He is fixed, so that's not the reason but thanks. And I didn't breed the dogs, I RESUCED them from a shelter so they wouldn't be outside running wild and without a home. As for being outside? It's 10 degrees outside here. We have a fenced in yard for them.

Answer 1

you should take anything in your house that is plastic and mak it to where if he bites it he will have a sour taste in his mouth and the other thing.....he just needs to be fixed.

Answer 2

When a dog chews like that, it generally means that he is bored and needs a job. Try enrolling him in agility training, herding, etc. When a dog has a job to do, it will make him feel more important.

Also, is he getting enough exercise every day? Your dog sounds like his energy may be coming from lack of exercise (which leads to an increased amounts of boredom). Dogs should be walked a minimum of 30 minutes a day, preferably 7 days a week. Also, try having a lot of things for him to chew on that are not plastic. Stick to bones, ropes, balls, etc. When he chew's something you don't like, make sure to punish him every time and avoid laughing or thinking it is "cute". Dogs can sense that they are getting attention for doing something and will continue to do it. Every time he touches something he shouldn't, use a command word for "no" and eventually (with patience) he should learn.

As for the peeing, I have to agree with you that it is territorial. Generally dogs will pee for two reasons: either the area is a place that they don't consider their bed/home (dogs don't like to sleep where they pee) or they are marking it because they are scared someone else will take it.

Answer 3

I'm not a big fan of having an inside dog. Way too much trouble. You cant go anywhere for more than a day and put the problem of watching the dog on someone else. They as yours does causes problems inside the house.

Maybe i'm too harsh but if something cant pee outside or in a box where it should, it belongs outside.

Answer 4

hmmm for chewing on thing there is this bitter tasting stuff that dogs absolutely hate i think its called stop chew you can get it anywhere that sells pet products. also kennel training him would be a good idea when he does something bad you put him in the cage dont baby him this will encourage bad behavor. leave him in the cage for about 10 or 15 minutes and let him out. he should begin to learn in about a week that if he is bad he goes in the cage. also putting him in there at bed time and when you leave is a good idea. also getting him more chew toys will help keep him occupied some reccomended toys are flavored bones. Kongs. ropes. etc.

http://www.dogtraining.com/

http://www.dogtraininghq.com/

http://www.dog.com/information/basictraining.asp

and heres one more site on foods that are poisonous to your dogs and other vet tips

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dtoxin.html

Goodluck heres my email adress if you would like additional help

Answer 5

i have had problems with chewing before. chewing on items is just a dogs way of telling you he is bored. you need to get the dogs attention on to something else. my puppy that used to chew loves to chew on nyla-bones. that keeps him occupied for hours.