Lately he has chewed our phone line twice and has dragged weird things like a couch cusion from a neighbors yard. (I'm not sure why anyone would have a couch in their yard?) I love this dog, but my Husband is getting fed up with the messes he makes, not to mention he steals tools from his workshop. Help!
2007-11-11 03:48:29 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
All dogs go through this, most animals (including humans) have teething problems and need to chew on something to help it.
When you leave the house, crate the dog. Some dogs don't like it, but all of our past dogs were fine with it. If you're dog doesn't like it, then feed your dog there and be patient. Eventually, your dog will learn that the crate is just fine.
If not that, lock him up in a bare room with nothing valuable in it.
As for the chewing thing, buy lots of bones. Try diffrent kinds, nylon bones help his teeth and last a long time. My mom gets a certain bone that they can eat too. One of my dogs doesn't chew on the nylon bones so we give him those bones and it's almost like a treat that takes awhile to eat!
Another solution, is that when you're still in the house, keep you're dog in a certain area. We keep our dogs in the kitchen because we don't want them getting up to trouble. Find a large room like a kitchen with a door that can go outside (Great if you have a dog door!) With water on the floor. I sudgest that the room you choose has almost nothing he can chew on and is wood or tile. Not carpet :D
ALSO (I know this is A LOT but it will help.) Try getting a regular fence or even an invisible fence. We've used both and they're both great options. That way you're dog can't drag COUCHES around or get in trouble outside. Invisible fences really don't hurt the dog, I've even put them on my neck once or twice! They sting just enough to let the dog know "HEY! You're not supposed to go there!"
2007-11-11 04:06:28 · answer #1 · answered by Marissa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a black lab puppy and she was into everything when i first brought her home. I then discovered the crate training method and its wonderful. They are inexpensive compared to the things you have to replace due to chewing. I found walmart to be the least expensive and buy an extra large. She does great in her crate now and when i home i am there to watch her and correct her when she is doing something wrong. I might take him a while to get used to it if he's already grown but remember to not use the crate as a punishment tool they should eventually grow to like it! good luck!
2007-11-11 04:00:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is looking for structure in his life. You, your husband and everyone else in your household must create a "pecking order" in the family. Dogs are pack animals and there is an order in their society, from the most dominate (alpha) dog to the most submissive, where everyone has a place and a job. Until your dog learns his place in the pack, he could act out destructively. Our one-year old male dog did this until we took the proper steps to correct it, and then, he started changing drastically in only a couple of days for the better. We no longer have this problem with him. You must firmly, yet not harshly or meanly, let him know that humans are the bosses, even infants. Do this by making him sit while you serve his food. Only let him eat when you give him the ok to do so. Have him sit when you put on his leash, have him sit and wait for the ok command while you go out of a door before him, etc, etc. Also, make sure that he gets adequate exercise for the breed. Your dog, like mine is a retriever. They need to fetch, run the the jwoods, swim, or do some kind of exercise 20 minutes a day, or at least every other day so that they will not need to act destructively to burn energy. You are still dealing with a lot of puppy energy to burn. Don't leave him to resort to destructive outlets. Also, keep his mind busy. Boredom is another major reason for destructiveness. Teach him tricks, interact with him, take him to agility or obedience classes, pet hospital volunteer, or something. Our dog loves to repeat his tricks over and over. The interaction of teaching them to him is great structure and mental activity. It also gives them the human interaction that they crave. By all means, crate him when you are gone, but do not make it a punishment; otherwise he will learn not to like his crate. It should be his safe den or haven. Put a treat in it to entice him to go in. When he is destructive, correct him firmly, although not harshly or meanly. You can grab his collar and give him a firm shake and say a firm "NO'' at the same time. What worked wonders for us is the shake can. Put a few coins in an empty soda can. When you catch your dog in the act, shake the can at him with a "NO". It will stop him in his tracks. Someone suggested to me that the threat of a firm swat on the fanny by a fly swater is effective as well, although we have not done that. After the correction, give him one of his toys. When he takes it, praise him. This will let him know that there are appropriate things to play with. Be consistent. Have you every tread the book "Good Owners, Good Dogs?" There are a lot of good training books out there. You might also look for a Lab chat room where other Lab owners have dealt with this issue. Best of Luck! Hang in there with him. With your direction, he will turn around. BM
2007-11-11 04:37:23 · answer #3 · answered by BM 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lol...I feel your pain! I have a young lab who likes to put everything under the sun in his mouth (and usually brings it to me.) They certainly live up to their "retriever" names, don't they?
When you are not there to supervise your dog...put him in a crate. This is not only for your sanity, but also for his safety. If he gets into something...he could possibly choke, be poisoned, end up with a blockage, etc.
When you are with him...give him some serious exercise. The walks with my labs are more like me jogging...just so I can keep a good pace. If you have an open space, play fetch (and let him do his retreiving thing.) Provide a lot of quality chew toys for him to stay occupied (Kongs stuffed with yummy treats, like peanut butter, will likely interest him.) Finally, provide that dog some serious mental stimulation. That is a very smart breed and they can become bored. I like to play games with mine, like hide and seek in the house (this also helps work on their training, "sit," "stay," until I have hidden.) You can hide little treats (try frozen carrots) around the house and let him hunt for them.
Sorry to laugh...but I can just see your dog doing it! Even while I sit on the computer...mine will bring me the remote, my keys, and my bills....as if I want them! (He can keep the bills...) :)
2007-11-11 04:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by KS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lab's always do that. They are retrievers, so they're always dragging and chewing things. My sister's chewed my shoes and ruined her kitchen table by laying underneath it all night chewing the legs on it. The vet told her that's what they do. They don't usually grow out of it. I'm sure it will get better though with time.
2007-11-11 03:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by rachel b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep him kenneled when you aren't supervising him. Also, make sure he has plenty of chew toys around so he knows what is his and ok to chew on. They sell spray at the pet store that is supposed to make them not want to chew on things. Unfortunately, I dont think your neighbor would appreciate you spraying their stuff with it.
Kennelling is probably your best bet. This problem just kind of comes along with the breed!
2007-11-11 03:57:32 · answer #6 · answered by Get a life 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
labs are chewers until they are 1-2 years old make sure he has plenty of chew toys and when you catch him chewing on phones ect.tell him NO and give him one of his toys.I gave my lab a 4' piece of 2"x4"and that kept him out of trouble.
2007-11-11 04:01:11 · answer #7 · answered by cmcenna601203 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has Seperation Anxiety.
My Black Lab had that and CHEWED EVERYTHING!!! Until he got older we had to keep him in a crate with a blanket over it while we were gone.
HTH hope that helps
2007-11-11 04:15:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My answer would be rawhides and toys. With my labs, border collies and boxers rawhides and toys have worked. The dogs get bored easy. I tried the bitter apple spray stuff it did nothing but have my boxer chew a whole in the wall etc.
2007-11-11 04:03:02 · answer #9 · answered by Mirissa or Dorothy A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Recipe for success:
1) Give dog more exercise.
2) Give dog kongs and nylabones to chew on.
3) Crate dog when you cannot supervise.
2007-11-11 05:18:59 · answer #10 · answered by Carrie O'Labrador 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋