She is a 4yr old pitbull and we live on a big farm where we go on looong walks & runs everyday; she is tuckered out at the end of each day cause we work outside all the time. There are lots of other dogs around to play with inside but for whatever reason, she sometimes gets to urge to comepletely chew random doorframes or big holes in the wall! SO frustrating cause it's happening a couple times where I run her for an hour outside with me so she gets some excercise before when i know I'm going to be gone for a couple hours and I'll come home after 2 hours and there's a chunk in the doorframe gone. I leave her toys out and yummy pigs ears and chew treats but she keeps going to the wall! Her last owner had to kennel her for 10 hours a day cause she was gone that long and the dog would destroy the house, so I adopted her cause it's a farm life here with lots to do and lots of excercise but it's not working. I've also put hot sauce on the door frames too. I'm running out of ideas! help!
2007-09-02 17:58:01 · 8 answers · asked by bluealaska 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It is hard to tell if your dog has separation anxiety and is anxiously trying to get out of the house to find you or has decided to chew on something interesting. Does she do this when you are at home?
If she only does this when you are gone then she likely has separation anxiety. This can be caused by a dominant dog wondering where you ran off to or a fearful dog afraid of being alone. Either way, behavior modification and sometimes medications can help her find something else to do.
Kenneling a dog for that long is really tough on the dog. Crates aren't for all dogs and certainly not for that length of time without a break. At some point crates become prison cells and dogs become crazy trying to get out.
Although it sounds like she has a fun time when you are there, she doesn't appear to be independent enough to amuse herself when you are gone. I would work on associating being alone with good things like eating.
In the meantime, since she is used to being in a crate I would crate her to protect her from damaging your house.
Here is a list of more things to do:
http://www.metpet.com/Reference/Dogs/Training/separation_anxiety_in_dogs.htm
If you don't think it is separation anxiety, you can try some remedial obedience to teach her that she can only chew on things you specifically give to her. Pick out a handful of toys and chews that she can have. Put her on a leash and take her over to a door or wall that she has chewed. When she puts her nose or gets near it tell her off and then pull her away.
Give her praise and her acceptable toy or chew. Repeat this everywhere you can think of especially areas prone to her chewing. She may not have received this training as a pup and needs to learn it from scratch.
Since she is an adult, she should pick it up quickly.
2007-09-02 18:33:55 · answer #1 · answered by nt_sndr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to supervise her. When you catch her chewing on the wall or door tell her NO firmly. Wait a few seconds and then offer her one of her toys. When she takes it praise her lavishly.
If you see her chewing one of her toys on her own, again praise lavishly. She may stop chewing to come over to you, but she has gotten the message that you like it when chews her toys.
How many toys does she have? To many toys can be a problem. A dog with to many toys can start to view everything as their toy. Pick out 3 or 4 favorites and put the rest away.
I don't care for chew deterrent sprays or hot sauce type "fixes", many dogs actually LOVE the stuff.
It sounds to me like she just hasn't been shown what is appropriate chew on.
2007-09-02 18:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I can understand you being hesitant to crate her, if you will only be crating her for short time periods you need to do it. Give her a Kong for her size filled with cheeze or peanut butter, also some toys to occupy her in your absence. I suspect the possibility of some poor breeding behind her and she has a compulsive disorder that is a large part of the cause of her destructive behavior. You may need to seek the help of an animal behaviorist. Check with your Vet or the local shelter for referrals.
If you don't take some drastic measures, she is going to do some damages quickly adding up into the thousands of dollars.
You can try using Bitter Apple spray on the door frames. It works with most dogs. Most pet supply shops carry it or a product similar to discourage chewing.
2007-09-02 18:08:49 · answer #3 · answered by gringo4541 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your "beautiful, annoying and poor guy" did the damage and you are responsible. A little varnish, sanding and filler will not rightly repair the damage. A new door and frame is in your near future. You can't cut corners when repairing someone else's property.
2016-03-17 22:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate her while you are gone.. Not only will it save your door frames, but it will remove the risk that she gets a gut full of wood that the vet will need to remove
2007-09-02 18:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by DP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well everytime she's chewing on the frames tell her No. You can gently hit her on her butt or pull that elascticy skin on the back of her neck while saying No. You can buy this special spray which tastes really bitter and spray it on the doors? Good luck
2007-09-02 18:05:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If it is wood, try using a clear paint called barn sour. It is extremely bitter for horses that chew their barns. But it at feed stores.
2007-09-02 18:40:25 · answer #7 · answered by Groomer Jan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try crate training her, that way she is in a safe place that she can not hurt herself or your home.
Also be careful with pig ears they are hard for pets to digest and have a high risk of carrying salmonella.
2007-09-02 18:04:27 · answer #8 · answered by silkysmooth1126 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should at lease try to keep it away from danger or else it will get hurt. Also train it a little.
2007-09-02 21:06:00 · answer #9 · answered by Kah Yee. :P 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋