I have a Bullmastiff dog, who is 10 months old and has started to chew up everything. I came home tonight and he has eaten the molding around our doors. Any ideas on how to train him to not be such a pain in the butt? I love him so much I don't even want to think about getting rid of him, but I need help!
2007-05-22 18:11:06 · 13 answers · asked by Erika B 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You may have to buy him a kennel for when you are not home.
2007-05-22 18:22:56 · answer #1 · answered by Stacey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too am a Bullmastiff owner and crate trained my girl after she chewed a $300. pair of my boots! I wanted to kill her, but didn't!! Crate training works the best and is a wonderful training tool when done properly. It will get him out of his own way. Get a 42" crate or larger (some thing he can turn around in and grow into) and puzzle toys. A puzzle toy is something like a Kong or anything else you can put treats in. Karma, my girl, would only get this toy (stuffed with her favorite, turkey meat) when in the crate, so it was special when she go it, and it kept her occupied. She barley noticed I had left the apt!
Study up on how to crate train it is really easy and it will resolve soooo many problems with your boy! You won't have to get rid of him and he will thank you later with his good manners. They can't help what the do and your guy is at a very curious age. Good luck with this!!!
2007-05-23 01:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by flygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, for starters you don't give him the run of the house when you're not there! This dog clearly has not earned the privilege, not yet.
You need to crate-train him. It is not mean. Puppies that are 3-4 months old are teething and it is completely understandable that they chew everything in sight. A 10-month old puppy that does this isn't teething, he's anxious and nervous about being left all alone in a big house. He will feel much more secure in a crate.
Just make sure he gets a lot of exercise every day.
2007-05-23 01:20:45 · answer #3 · answered by twosweethounds 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to crate train him, dogs like to "Den" anyway an need a space to call home....it may be that when you are gone and he roams, he gets bored and thats when the trouble starts.
Try to crate and put an XL Kong in the crate along with peanut butter and treats stuffed inside to keep him busy, you can also give it frozen...I like the cheese spray (what I call squirty cheese) so do my Bullmastiffs.
You can also train not to chew by giving them something they are allowed to chew when they try to chew something they are not allowed to and going nuts happy when they take the right one.
I def recommend crating though....you may have some house left and in my experience...could save you some money in the vet! My female ate something that wouldn't come out and needed an enterotomy! 2 grand later....she still gets into trouble....trust me....the crate
Try http://valuecrate.com or search ebay for a 48" crate
I wouldn't leave food and water in it though as doggies will need to poop after eating, these dogs need to be on a twice daily eating schedule to control growth, once in the morning, then out to potty etc and then afternoon/early evening and same routine. Plus they will knock the water over and be miserable all day in it!
Hope this helped
2007-05-24 14:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by bubbaboosmama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog has a seperation anxiety problem. there is not alot you can do about it. Mastiffs tend to be this way. the dog will have to get use to you. I think the vet may have a medication for the anxiety which will relax the dog while you are not home and also will not be as skiddish around other people. the dog is shy right?
2007-05-23 01:17:40 · answer #5 · answered by Kristenite’s Back! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably should have a area you can put him in while you aren't home that is dog proof. I hate to see dogs chained up but half the time this is why. Have toys for him in this area and plenty of water and some dry food. He is only a baby and will outgrow this destroying phase.
2007-05-23 01:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by karena k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG - I totally have had the same experience! Excercise - you can read mroe about this at http://www.dogchannel.com. My pitbull is now 3 and still chews toys but finally has left my walls, baseboards and furniture alone.
2007-05-23 01:25:58 · answer #7 · answered by Scorp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spend more time with your dog. If it's when your at work, leave it outside. Get it a pet. I got my dog 2 cats and they love each other. (it's kinda Sick) You need to keep it occupied, otherwise it will occupy itself. and Don't say good bye to it when you leave, something to do with anxiety.
2007-05-23 01:16:23 · answer #8 · answered by iRSquires 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my dog did that...we just bought him a lot of toys but he loves chewing up field hockey balls- those white rubber ones---he might be teething..mine stopped chewing household things so it seemed like a phase
2007-05-23 01:16:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anastasia F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about crate training.. Not only will he leave your stuff alone, but it will keep him safe so he isn't at risk of getting a chunk of molding stuck in his guts.
2007-05-23 01:16:57 · answer #10 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
your wonderful baby is chewing because he is bored and frustrated. keep him in a large crate when you are gone and when you return make sure he gets plenty of love and exercise. make sure you leave him with food water and chew toys.
2007-05-23 01:18:03 · answer #11 · answered by WORKING OLDER SMARTER BLONDE 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋