She is a sweety when we're home, but if we leave her out of her kennel, she goes on a tear. She chews up anything left within reach. We give her plenty of exercise and she has lots of toys.
She is 1/2 Lab, 1/2 Dalmatian.
Are there any training techniques we can use to help prevent any further damage?
I am aware that she is safer in her kennel, but I feel she should be able to have free range like so many other dogs that we have close contact with.
any training suggestions out there?
2007-08-08 05:58:53 · 13 answers · asked by johnny kevlar 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Do you expect the dog to tear up the house when you're there. Right now he is probably drinking beer with the air on 65 and some of his friends over licking stuff in the refrigerator.
2007-08-08 06:20:40 · answer #1 · answered by kapow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a crate for now. When you can't watch her she needs to be somewhere where she can't make a mistake.
Get a prong collar. When you give a quick tug and release the prongs pinch the neck like a mom or Alpha dog would give a correctional nip. It's the easiest way to communicate in dog language, so your dog will understand what you mean. Get a tab( 1 foot or very short leash- should hand to the chest) and attach it to the D-ring. This will give you an easy way to correct her anytime and do it correctly.
Pretend you are leaving.( leave her out of her crate now since this is training) Get ready, put on your shoes get your car keys, open and shut the garage door, and even park up the road ( or have someone else drive away while you hide)if you want and hide in the house where she doesn't know you are there. As soon as she tries to chew up something yell " no no no" all the way to her(running) and give a quick tug and release with the tab. She may wince the first few times because she isn't used to being corrected for destroying something and is shocked that you did. leave again. Repeat. Still leave her in her crate when you are not watching so you can set her up for success and she won't get confused that you only care sometimes if she chew up your stuff. Consistency is the key for all training. If she resists chewing on something then reward her.
Go to www.dogproblems.com for lots of training advice and how to's.
2007-08-08 06:10:59 · answer #2 · answered by Green Weasle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a dalmation and she used to do that when she was young but not anymore (she is 2 years old now) Youu should give her the freedom to roam around the house more when you'll are around so that she gets used to the house and doesnt have an urge to tear them up when you'll are gone. If she continues to do this after even 2 /3 years of age, probably she has seperation anxiety and should be restricted to her kennel. She could also be doing this as a way to vent out all that extra energy. If i take my dog for a nice long run (usually a hour or so), ive noticed she is calmer and more contended for the rest of the day. Anyways good luck
2007-08-08 13:21:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are away from the house for a long time, your dog may have developed separation anxiety. That means that whenever you come home she greets you vigorously and whenever you're not around she chews things etc., as an outlet to her emotions from being separated.
Dogs don't have a very long memory, and she probably won't remember what she did while you weren't there, so don't scold her about it. She won't know what she's done.
I don't know of any training techniques to battle this, but some people get a play-mate for their dog so they can be together while the owners are out.
If the problem gets worse, take your dog to a trainer.
Best of luck! :o)
2007-08-08 06:12:28 · answer #4 · answered by Sunshine G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate that pooch! LOL Seriously. I know you want her to have freedom, but if she can't be trusted with it then she doesn't really deserve it. She could get very very sick by chewing and eating things. We've spent over $2,000 in vet bills on our dog because of compulsive eating, most of which was done if we left and forgot to kennel her. While she's in her kennel, make sure she has toys to play with. I prefer a Kong with frozen peanut butter or frozen squirt cheese inside, they sell it at some pet stores. Make sure she's getting plenty of exersize like a good long walk every day.
2007-08-08 06:08:09 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Informed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, how old is your dog? Dogs tend to do this when they are very upset or angry that their owners left them alone. You may want to talk to your vetrinarian and get her on separation anxiety medication. Also get her more familiar with her kennel. Kennels aren't bad things to dogs, it's like their own part of the house where no one can bug them. Her separation anxiety may go away by you just leaving her in her kennel, then when she is older, try leaving her out again. Good luck!
2007-08-08 06:12:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like separation anxiety. Not all dogs have it. She is really best left in her crate, or a small room. Another pet could help her a lot. Obedience classes for the both of you may help you understand each other better in the easiest way as it's hard to say what specifically you could do to train her wothout being there to judge her temperament and the situation.
2007-08-08 06:04:50 · answer #7 · answered by ibbibud 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
the solution is either the crate or create a safe area for her.
Have you thought of a larger dog pen or crate?
What about "dog proofing" a room that can be were she if left.
Any training techniques is only as good as your ability to enforce or reward the correct behavior - and that goes away when you are not there
2007-08-08 06:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by keezy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you probably need an animal behaviorist. She may have anxiety disorder.
Until you can sort this out, I feel that she safest in the house alone Use a large kennel so that she has plenty of room but by all mean crate her! Allowing her out while you are gone reinforces her behavior to destroy the house in your absence.
2007-08-08 06:05:31 · answer #9 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep the furniture off limits maybe...
Get your dog a special area just for her...with a doggie bed and treats and toys and...make sure you have some heavy duty toys like Kong with treats inside...
Also, if she's a puppy...they do calm down when they get to be about 2 years. Our Lab has calmed down. She used to tear up everything.
Yes, let her spend time outside! Don't keep her cooped up inside! Make sure there is fencing outside though...so she doesn't get hurt or run over...
HAVE FUN!
2007-08-08 06:03:58 · answer #10 · answered by updo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋