Chewing

iloveto4x4innc · 04-08-2005, 07:12 AM

Help! My lab pup is a chewer! She's chewed up all the rugs in the house, a couple pillows, 4 pairs of shoes, and last night chewed up the comforter on our bed. She only seems to do it at night when she can't get caught. Is there something I can do to stop this? She has free run of the house at night, but that is stopping tonight. I'm going to start putting her in the crate at night now so that she won't destroy anything else. I know that as a puppy, she will chew things up. Could it be that she's bored, or maybe didn't get enough excercise during the day?

She's also figured out how to counter/table surf. Again she only does it in the middle of the night or when everybody's outside and can't catch her in the act. I love her and she's doing good in her training, but if I can't figure out how to stop this behavior, the wife's going to make me either get rid of her or keep her penned up.

Thanks in advance

Doc E · 04-08-2005, 07:16 AM

All dogs need to be crate trained. There is nothing wrong with having a dog spend the night in a crate. Once a dog is properly crate trained, they love having a "den of their own".

jashoffa · 04-08-2005, 07:19 AM

I had a about the same problem with my GSP and I just decieded to keep her in a dox box inside the house when ever I am not home. I was able to leave her out when I was sleeping and she has never chewed anything up at night. I know it may not be the most ideal outcome but the 3 remotes and several CD's were the breaking point. Plus you can't correct behavior if you are not there.

jashoffa · 04-08-2005, 02:03 PM

Doc I agree with your statement, I posted just after you so I didn't get to read yours before I posted mine.

my dog will go in and lay down in her's when she knows I am getting ready to leave for work then she is really excited to get out when I get home!

I don't think it is cruel I would rather be able to trust her to have the run of the house but this works too and is most likely safer for her so she doesn't chew up something that is harmful!

iloveto4x4innc · 04-11-2005, 07:47 AM

She doesn't seem to mind the crate. She cried a little the first night, but that's been it. Maybe because she spends the day under my desk at work? As soon as we walk in the door, I tell her to kennel and she heads right in there and goes to sleep.