I have a wonderful year old female boxer who hates it when I leave for work every day . When I come home for lunch every day on occassion i will find items destroyed and/or chewed by her and her hundreds of toys are neatly in her box. I assume she is venting because I had to leave her at home alone, but I cant quit my job and I dont want to cage her. How can I get her to stop being destructive?
2007-10-26 06:11:42 · 24 answers · asked by bostonblonde79 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Instead of leaving the toys neatly in the box, spread them around so that when she is looking for something to chew, those are the first things she comes accross. Sweeten the deal by adding a little peanut butter or some Kong stuffing liquid to the items you want her to chew. These will attract her attention and even after she's licked it off, she will likely continue chewing on that item. Also, try something like one of those stuffed hooves. They keep the dog busy for hours, first trying to get the filling out and then chewing on the hoof itself.
2007-10-26 06:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by auskan2002 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is call separation anxiety. Your dog need a chew toy and lots of exercise. And I believe he's probably a pup or a Young adult. Boxers need lots and lots and lots of exercise..they are very high energy dogs. My dad got a boxer pup a few years back. He would do the same thing you mentioned above. He also got so excited playing catch that he smacked into the wall and split his stitches open (He was neutered when he was adopted from the shelter) He jumped over the fence to go visit the next door neighbor and her dog. this is a 6 foot brick fence we are talking about. And did i mention the next dog neighbor is an old lady that lives by herself. Oh and my dad walks him for 45 minutes in the morning and 45 after work. That's not even enough exercise for him...long story short, he was returned to the shelter because we don't want to be sued for knocking the neighbor over while we are not home. So get him some chew toys, puzzle toys and lots and lots of exercise to stop chewing up the house. You need to keep him challenged.
2016-04-10 07:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by Aline 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you don't want to crate your wonderful boxer, but it sounds like you need to. As many others have said, you don't want your dog getting into something that might kill her. Crating will not make the situation worse. However, make sure your boxer gets plenty of exercise when you are home.
For those who have said exercise your dog as much as possible before you leave and she will be tired and sleep while you are gone, I doubt these people have ever owned a 1 year old boxer. You will wear out playing before your boxer ever does. These dogs are extremely high energy and can go on for long periods of time.
Just crate your dog during the day. Leave a toy or two in her crate and give her plenty of love when you get home. She'll be fine.
2007-10-26 07:08:59 · answer #3 · answered by toby h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A crate will make this worse. The key is to exersise your dog before you leave her as much as possible. This will ease her energy and anxiety.
Leave her stuff to do while you are gone. You can freeze food inside a Kong and let her try to get it out all day. You can hide bones around the house and let her look for them.
When you are home and see her chewing on anything you do not want chewed rein down all over her if you catch her in the act. Otherwise act like it does not bother you.
Spray things with bitter apple spay that you do not want chewed.
The exercise is the most important. I know it can be hard early in the morning. Dogs sleep all day if they are tired.
Good luck!
2007-10-26 06:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by The Shepherd 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Crate training is the only answer. Before we got our puppy we were SO against crate training, and we are now finding how awesome it is.
The crate, or other enclosed area is the only place to keep your home safe, and your dog safe. While you are at work, you have no idea what she's getting in to, or what she might eat that might kill her.
Make sure that you get her out for a nice long walk before you leave for work. In her crate, leave some chew toys and some water. As soon as you get home, take her out for another long walk to tire her out.
I once heard someone say, that a tired dog is a happy dog. You dog is chewing everything in your home b/c she is bored.
2007-10-26 06:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well It is either to crate your boxer up . Or you will be in the need to replace your items... You are so much better in crating your boxer for it's safety. You never know what it can get into while you are gone... Lets just say u leave one day to work and when you come back he is dead cause he got into something he sholudn't of have..
2007-10-26 06:17:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep her in a crate and leave her with a Kong chew toy
You can put treats in these and freeze them so they last longer
it is natural for a dog to chew so you have to give them things to chew also there are chew bones that las t along time use those and mix it up
2007-10-26 06:18:43 · answer #7 · answered by mmmkay_us 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All dogs chew at her age, you just have to limit what she can get at. You might not want to cage her, but you might have to. Do you have a laundry room you can keep her in while you are gone?
The other thing is make certain she gets tons of exercise before you leave for the day.
2007-10-26 06:15:11 · answer #8 · answered by Brian 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I didnt put mine in a crate I wouldnt have a house left. They are very intelligent dogs and get bored quickly. If you are not home to stimulate your dog and keep her out of trouble the crate is the best answer, tried to put mine into an empty room and he ate the carpet! It not only protects your house but protects her from her own curosity, powercords for example. Get her a crate and set it up. Let her get used to it before putting her in and taking her out, go SLOW. Put a raw bone in there with her and she wont have a care in the world.
2007-10-26 06:26:59 · answer #9 · answered by Sandbaby327 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have two doggies that I must leave at home all day while I am at work. They are about the same age as your dog. I also drive home everyday for lunch to let them in the backyard and give them some love :). I keep them in our dining room area and close it off with those baby gates that you can put in the doorways. Limit the amount of furniture you have in the closed off area. Also, are you walking your dog for at least 45 minutes per day? I find that walking my dogs 2x/day DRASTICALLY improves their behavior. Watch Cesar Milan--The Dog Whisperer--He's full of information that can help. He also has a website. Google him. "Exercise - Discipline - Affection"--in that order.
2007-10-26 06:19:27 · answer #10 · answered by Cassie Burger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋