My dog started chewing things up!?

Question

I have a 8 month old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier who started chewing furniture etc.... before everyone asks, he goes walking with me about 2 miles a day, and then we play catch for almost 45 minutes also. he has TONS of toys from plush to chewing types. he is allergic to alot of foods so i dont offer rawhide or chewies becuase they give him stomach problems. he lost all his baby teeth so i know he sint teething. i tried freezing one of his toys o make it harder and colder... now all fo a sudden he started chewing things. I have done it all from sprays to putting his face to where he chewed and sternly enforced NO! or LEAVE IT! I do not want to crate him, I am only away for less then 4 hours if even that. i don't get why he started to do this. I guess it can be he might be bored, but is crating him neccessary?

by the way he is trained. he is a very well trained dog. this is his only flaw. he doesnt jump on anyone and understand FULL commands. He is trained on and off a leash.... i telling you all he does bad is this chewing thing when NO ONE is home!

note:
You answered my question, btu you answer is almost impossible, becuas ehe chews things like the trim on wall and the counter bottom and the table. I usually just yell at him and he stops for 2 days then does it again 2 days later. I don't get it. i am ahvign a hard time with him lately. maybe I should walk him earlier int he morning? I dont want to crate him, btu i feel as though I ahve no choice. he is a smart dog, very trained and obedient, thsi is his only flaw

Answer 1

I also have a Wheaten Terrier, who is lying on the sofa at the moment chewing my old slipper. Biting and chewing are notorious problems of this breed.
Like you, I tried all my options, and nothing worked. I took him to obedience class, and nothing worked. Otherwise he is very well behaved, so this was really frustrating.
Some people have criticised how I got him to stop chewing things, but it has worked for me.
Firstly, make sure he knows which things he is allowed to bite on and chew. (My dog is in fact allowed to chew my old slipper! You can easily do this in your play time. This will take a little while, but be consistent, and don't introduce any new toys for a while. Praise him with affection/treats when he plays with his toys.
Secondly, (and this is the bit people didn't like) whenever I caught my dog chewing on or attempting to chew on something he shouldn't, I muzzled him and firmly told him "NO" I then sent him to his bed, and only when I thought it right, called him out and took off the muzzle. It took about a week, and he of course, hated the muzzle and being sent to bed. He soon learned that if he chewed something he shouldn't he would be punished. He now only chews on his toys.
I also had the same problem leaving my dog. Like you, I'm also only away for a max of 3-4 hours. I didn't want to muzzle him when I wasn't there, but I also didn't want to come home to a wrecked house, so I simply confined the rooms he had access to. My dog has access to the hall and kitchen when I am out. Before I leave I put some toys out for him, and thankfully only once have I come home in the last 9 months to find that he had chewed something. (Granted, it was the electricity bill that the postman delivered, so nothing that upset me too much!)
Good luck with it. I don't think my method was the nicest, but it didn't physically hurt my dog and it has proven extremely effective. Wheaten's are adorable, vibrant pets, and now that I have solved the biting issue with mine, he really is a wonderful little guy. Best of luck!

Answer 2

That was a nice long list of things that you think should keep your dog from displaying this behavior. And your method of behavior correction point in the direction that you are ignorant concerning dog behavior. You say it just started, no it didn't. This behavior has been occurring for a while. Nothing wrong with being ignorant, we all start out that way but, I don't see where your are correcting this. Dog obedience classes, they will teach you about dog behavior, how to teach, and will give you the tools for future behavior correction. One tip: catching the dog after the fact and holding its face to the chewed object it ineffective as you've just explained to us. Catching the dog in the act or just when the dog show intentions is effective. What you are doing is showing the dog that you do not like it and it does not understand why? That is fine if you are teaching the dog to cower every time you raise your voice. Crating the dog for a behavior problem doesn't correct anything. It is avoidance. You avoid the problem and the dog doesn't learn anything positive. You say this dog is trained! Not by you!

Answer 3

It may be because of several reasons....one of which being that he misses you while you are gone. I had this problem with my dog for a while and still do if I don't close the bedroom door she will tear up the blinds trying to watch for me. It may also be that he is bored with the toys that he already has I try to keep buying new toys for my little one weekly or biweekly as needed. He has a blast with them and it gives you a chance to throw out the old worn out toys...my dog also has a lot of stomach issues so I have to be careful with what I feed her as well. But I found that she doesn't have any problems with the "busy bone" my dog plays with it hides it runs around the house with it and so on for a couple of days and then eats it. I am just careful to feed her high quality ingredients. Let me know if this helps

Answer 4

I have the solution for you- if you are willing to listen. Our new puppy chewed anything that would sit still- including our lazy boy recliner! Everytime I saw him chewing of course I went right for him saying "no" and taking the item away.

This action of looking at him, saying something and then going over to him, is actually what he wants. Dogs will take ANY kind of attention- good or bad!

How to fix the problem? Once I figured this out, he stopped instantly.

When you see him chewing- walk towards him with your head turned AWAY (do not look at him) and as you walk past him SILENTLY, take the item away and do and say NOTHING!

He will stop- I guarantee it.

P.S. Please don't crate your dog :(

Answer 5

He is probably lonely and frustrated because he misses his favorite human when you are not around. I would strongly suggest crating. He won't see it as punishment as long as you don't use it that way. Always be positive when you put him in and always treat! I have always done this with all my dogs and we avoid any chewing and discipline problems while I'm away. In fact, my Lab will go in her crate with no prompting when it is time for "night-night" and always goes in willingly when I say "go in there". Dogs enjoy having their own den. There are tons of books you can read about crate training. It may not be easy at first, but your pup will learn quickly and it will eliminate a lot of stress for you and your furry one.

Answer 6

I'd say that given the amount of exercise and play time this guy gets, it's not boredom so much as his age. He's like a teenager now, pushing his limits to see what he can get away with.

If he were my dog, I'd crate him until he's past this stage - and he will get past it. It's not only safer for him, but it's going to make you just as happy to see him when you get home as he is to see you.

Answer 7

Your dog gets mad because you leave him at home. He/She wants your attention 24/7.My problem with my Miniature Schnauzer was peed in the house while I was gone. I finally caged him. Now, that I have his sister they are caged together while I am gone.

Answer 8

maybe it scared or bored my yorkie broke my bathroom is and my front door the side have stuff so i coundnt see the light outside and now the air is getting out i have to fix it my other pets were at the vet and i was taking them and she was home by herself and she was going to the vet the next day so if you were gone i guess she was so scared now my bathroom door is broke..i bet it just misses you mine freaks if i just go outside to get somjething from the car....

Answer 9

there is this spray where you can stop your dog from chewing, bitting, gnawing, licking, and clawing on things. all you have to do is spray it on whatever your dog is chewing on. it's for indoor and and outdoor.

Answer 10

take your dog to a animal clinic or get it trained.