I have a dog that engages in destructive chewing. She never does it when I am at home - only when I am gone (even if gone only 10 minutes.) I crate her when I leave, but would like to let her stay out when I am gone - I have another older dog who stays out - and would like to do same with her.
She has a few toys to play with, but when I leave, she eats shoes, tears up the carpet, and gnaws on the trim to the doors. I have a baby on the way, and need to break her of this habit soon!
I have tried hard discipline (spanking) and I have also tried softly telling her "no" and even ignored the problem - but nothing seems to help. When I come home, I can tell when she chewed something because she'll run to her crate.
What can I do?
2007-06-05 05:15:26 · 11 answers · asked by david g 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My 3 year old labrador is put into a big cage when we are out and my older lab stays out. He is fine. Save your furniture and stuff!!!
2007-06-05 05:20:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Chewing is price you pay for having a puppy. When the dog gets older, the chewing will diminish.
Do not spank the dog. For her to understand what she is being punished for, you have to catch her in the act. Scolding her minutes or hours later can make the dog aggressive -- which you don't want with a toddler in the house. When you do catch her chewing something, scold her in a firm voice and/or turn her over on her back and hold her in this submissive position for a short time.
Keeping her in a crate when you are gone is a good idea for a dog for at least the 1st year. In the wild, pups would be kept in a den, and dogs seem to be o.k. with being in a crate. Stuff it isn't supposed to chew should be picked up. There are sprays such as "bitter apple" that can be used on things you can't remove, such as carpet or trim.
The dog needs to have things it is allowed to chew -- such as a nylabone. Also make sure the dog is getting enough exercise. After a good walk, she'll be more inclined to nap than tear up things.
2007-06-05 05:57:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is showing destructive behavior while you are gone, she is not ready to be left out yet. She is overwhelmed with all of her new found freedom, and therefore is being destructive.
I know you want to leave her out with the older dog (I can't wait until we are able to as well) But it really is for the best.
For the safety of your dog, as well as the safety of your house!
I am a member on other blogs and forums, and a member left her dog out for only 10mins while she ran to the store(6mo lab) the dog got into the garbage and found a chip bag (snack size). His muzzle got stuck in the bag and he suffocated.
It really is for the best to restrict your dog to the crate until he is older and then try 5-10min spurts of being left alone (even if you are outside peeking in the windows to see what is going on)
Then slowly increase the amount they are left unsupervised.
EDIT:: somehow I skimmed over the 'spanking' part. You do NOT hit your animal, show them you are the alpha dog and leader by showing consistent and assertvie behavior, but never by any physical discipline. Make your dog work for her food, sit and stay until you relsease her. Do not let her walk ahead of you outside or through doorways, do not let her hop in the car until YOU say ok, etc.
You need to become the leader, and that does not happen by spanking! Dogs in the wild do NOT spank each other!
2007-06-05 05:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by Katie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dogs need more attention, sounds like you have too many animals and not enough time. When your not home a crate is the best thing. Some people think that it's cruel to crate but it's more cruel to let your dogs get into things that could be harmful and cause them to get real sick!! Try playing ball with your golden every day, and maybe walks for all the dogs it shall help!! Much Luck A
2016-05-17 08:45:19 · answer #4 · answered by nell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Continue to crate her. People act like it is cruel and it isn't. They are safe and at home in the crate. Just never use it as punishment.
If your dog is young, it may be teething, if not it just has separation anxiety. The crate is the best place for either problem. Be sure she has things appropriate for chewing in there with her. Good luck with your dog and your baby!
2007-06-05 05:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by Bev 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well why dont you make her an outdoor dog, like your older one, but if she is under two years old, she is still a puppy, mayby you should make her stay in one room and put her crate in their when you are gone, and put chew toys in their and mayby a cardboard box, she can rip up instead of carpets and walls, if she does chew anything in your rooms when she is gone, tell her no and lock her in the room with her crate, in the end she will get it, and then yu will finally have a happy dog who does not chew anything. :)
Hope this helps
Jade
2007-06-05 05:30:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
IMO -- dogs need to earn the right to be out while you are gone and your dog hasn't. She jsut may need to grow up more and get out of the chewing stage. How old is she? Does she have appropriate things to chew that are easy for her to find?
Honestly -- I would continue to crate her while you are gone and never punish when you come home, that is way too late to be effective.
2007-06-05 05:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by agilebxr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like your dog is doing this as a way of telling you that she is upset with you leaving her alone, even with her being there with your other dog. Try talking to her before you leave the house, tell her where you are going and that you will be back later or shortly. Tell her that you love her and that you or someone will be home to make dinner for her.
I have a dog that will go pooh in the house if the last person to leave doesn't talk to him and pat him before leaving. As long as the last person pats him and tells him that someone will be home soon to make dinner for him and that that person will be home later then he is ok and will not go pooh in the house.
2007-06-05 05:31:52 · answer #8 · answered by Wolfmanscott 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
try a kong toy, its a hard rubber toy thats has hole in the bottom you can put peanut butter in the middle and she will go to town on it trying to get the peanut butter out! Shes stressed when you leave, she doesnt know wut your smacking her for she may have did it 30 minutes before you came home. Dogs only remember 30 seconds back! try this kong. Good luck!
2007-06-05 06:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by pebblesqt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my gosh! You hit your dog! You need to enroll yourself and the dog into a good obedience school. It will teach you about dog behavior and how to teach your dog, and to not hit it, ever! You are also a perfect example of someone that uses the crate rather than training your dog. Avoidance, that is all you are doing with the crate. Your dog is displaying classic behavior associated with separation anxiety. Easy enough to correct, but in your case you need to go to obedience school first.
2007-06-05 05:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋