We have a doberman and a min pin both just 1 year old.
We leave them home alone during the day, we have a fairly big garden and they have free roam, they seem perfectly happy, but they chew EVERYTHING!!
They've totally destroyed a water feature, chewed through all the outdoor cabling, chewed the edging, chew chew chew!!
When they're in the house they chew anything they can get hold of when we're not looking!
How can we stop them from chewing everything?
I've tried giving them bones to keep them occupied but they just scrap over them!! And they don't seem interested in toys.
Help please??
2007-04-25 02:16:08 · 20 answers · asked by Little Miss B 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I only work 4 hours a day so they're never on their own for more than 5 hours.
Am I expected to stay by their side 24 hours a day?!
2007-04-25 02:22:22 · update #1
Dogs shouldn't be left alone all day, especially dogs as young as yours. It's natural for young dogs to chew, and if you're not there to provide play, exercise and diversion, what can you expect?
2007-04-25 02:20:34 · answer #1 · answered by jet-set 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
One year old dogs should be ok left for 5 hours. The problem is that when you have 2 dogs, if one picks up a fun new habit the other usually joins in!
You have 2 active, high energy dogs. This is going to be fun; go to the saddlers and buy a tin of 'Cribbox'. Its a disgusting tasting paste designed to stop horses chewing their stable doors. Smear it on everything you don't want chewed, and at the same time provide a whole load of chew toys.
Try rope toys, nylon chews, squeaky toys (they'll last about 2 minutes!) and try stuff like the cardboard tubes you get inside rolls of carpet, cardboard boxes, screwed up paper bag with treats in, bicycle tyres, anything at all you can think of.
Take these toys away when you're at home so they only appear when you go out, it will make them more attractive!
2007-04-25 03:41:44 · answer #2 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a boxer that did the same. What I did was build a dog run from the garage to the side yard. So she could go inside the garage or be outside when she wants. You basically have to give them an area of their own and let them tear it to pieces (she stopped tearing things up and plays with her toys during the day. I also leave a radio on and have about 5 or 6 toys she can play with. So she is not bored. I also have a crate out there for her to sleep in. Plus I exercise her in the afternoon which tends to slow her down during the day.
2007-04-25 02:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by Paul S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since nobody has suggested the obvious - crating the dog during the day is a very effective way to eliminate the damage and about 4-5 hours is not an excessive time.
Start by feeding them in the crate only and move up to more time. I have 2 of my 5 currently lounging on the cushy cushions in the wide open crates......
2007-04-25 02:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by ragapple 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of your problems could be that your dogs have too much energy.. They need to be walked a lot and ran as much as possible.. They like walking around the neighborhood or park even if they have a big yard..
Dogs shouldnt be left alone for that long or they wont learn..
Ever thought of getting a dog sitter sometimes..
Give them lots of chew toys..
Maybe get them a kennel from pets mart..
I also put tobasco on edges and corners.. They stop chewing whatever is covored with that stuff..
2007-04-25 02:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by G0tM1Ik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As your dogs are 1 year old, they have now formed a chewing habit that will be difficult to break unless they are supervised.
As you have experienced, allowing young and powerful dogs free range leads to much destruction. This is completely normal behaviour and will continue as long as they find it entertaining.
The only way you will protect your belongings while you are out for the relatively short period of 4 hours is by kennelling/crating them.
2007-04-25 03:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by PetLover 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the problem you are having is that you are giving them too much freedom, when they are alone together they run as a pack, so they dont see why they should respect you or do anything you tell them because they are top dog, the only thing i can advise is to buy dog cages and keep them confined when you are not in, and limit their access to the garden, have them out there when you are there, then you can keep an eye on them, dog are like naughty children, if you dont teach them, they will never learn
hope this helps
2007-04-25 04:39:52 · answer #7 · answered by Maryann 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing worse than a dog destroying your home (apart from one biting people), I had a German Shepherd that destroyed a 3-piece suite and a bed, I didn't know about crates back then, but a crate each may be your answer for indoors and a kennel+run if you want them to stay outside.
2007-04-25 04:15:54 · answer #8 · answered by Pawstimes16 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is one of the reasons crates were invented. There are other ways to do it and stop them from chewing, but, they are a little bit harsh for the general audience here who believes in only "positive methods" without realizing the root of the problem. Good luck to you.
2007-04-25 02:34:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exercise, exercise, excerise.
Since you only work part time you have plenty of time to get these puppies out of the house several times a day. Do and hour walk in the morning and an hour when you get home from work. If you do this for a good solid week, I promise you will start to see results.
Oh, and sign them up for (seperate) training classes too!
2007-04-25 02:28:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sit Stay Fetch is the mother of all dog training packages for dealing with Dog Chewing, biting, aggression and general dog obedience.
2007-04-25 03:11:59 · answer #11 · answered by ♥S♥T♥E♥P♥H♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋