Destructive puppy

[bodieboo]

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We have a 7 month old Labrador. He is a lovely puppy, very chilled nature although he follows us around like a shadow and loves being in our company. The difficulty we have is that when we live him alone we come back to a destroyed house (his achievements so far include: picture frames, baskets, teapots, cafetiere's, pillows, catalogues, laptop cables, wooden spoons to name but a few!). I've bought him a plastic twig toy that contains treats and he plays with this as we're leaving but we still return to varying degrees of destruction.

It doesn't appear to matter how long we're out for as I've only popped to the shop and been 10 mins but still returned and it feels more like a protest. When we come home it often appears that he has been asleep and so I don't think he's sat pining for us the whole time we're gone. Also when we go out in the car and he's left in it whilst we pop in a shop he just lies down and goes to sleep.

We love him to bits but it's very wearing not knowing what we're going to come home too.

Ay suggestions greatfully received.................................

Cheers

 

[Jo*]

The only suggestion I can make is to buy a cage!

Labradors are notorious for chewing, my mums even chewed the door off her Tumble Dryer when she was a pup!

I have a Lab cross Husky, both notorious breeds for destruction, and i decided on cage straight away for when I'm at work or popping out!

Also look at trying a Kong toy.

You can fill them with treats or food and freeze them for longer lasting amusement!

I know not everyone agrees with Cage Training, but as long as its only while you're not there then pup will be fine!

Good Luck.

Jo

 

[TTT]

C A G E..........S I M P L E........

 

[chelynnah]

I know it might be a hard decision, but for his own safety he needs to be in a crate - especially right now at this critical teething time. You may have to train him to it if you haven't already, but it will be a lifesaver - literally. 16 years ago when we had our first pup 'together' we had her safely enclosed with nothing she could get into and a HUGE basketful of toys, and she decided to eat the skirting board and through the wall - of a 200 year old building - who knows what kind of paint/materials were in that!

She was about 6 months old at the time, and while she had been okay for the odd hour or so, I had just gone back to work after surgery, and was gone about 4'ish hours at a time. A crate had been suggested previously, but I hated the idea. After the wall eating though I knew we had to do it for her safety so we bought one, and trained her to it over a weekend and she took to it like she'd always had one. I wish we'd have done it sooner, and every pup we've had since has been crate trained from the beginning. Eventually they earn their freedom, but it means that when we go places to stay we can take a crate or two and they are happy knowing it's 'their spot' or if someone needs to be on restricted exercise due to injury or operation they are already used to it. When we added our 2nd dog, our first hadn't been crated in well over a year. We put up crate for new pup and the first dog plopped herself in it and claimed it. Right to the end of her life whenever there was a crate up for whatever reason, she was often found lounging in it.

 

[Paws Couture]

Hello,

I do agree with all the comments, a crate can seem scary but the dog will be totally safe and will be happier in the crate as it can comfort them when you go out and make them feel safer, I crated both my dogs when we went out until they were about a year.

Hope this helps,

Paul. :- )

 

[Gail Berks]

This is all well and good saying crate the dog, but how do you go about this?

My puppy is 17 weeks old and is really happy to sleep in her locked crate all night in my bedroom, but put her in for only a couple of minutes during the day, even if I'm in same room and she goes mad barking and howling...

We have such fantastic nights and evenings when she even settles herself to doze in her crate... I'd hate to disrupt this by making her hate it by shutting her in while out... but also don't want her to damage herself or our home...

 

[chelynnah]

Make it a fun place - give her a stuffed kong to keep her busy and active. Chelsea had never been crated in the several months we had her and I just worked hard with her over a weekend. While your girl may howl and carry on while you're there (she wants to be with you) she just might not while you're out.

Start with putting her in for a few minutes with you there. Give her something like a stuffed kong. Go about your business. When she's happy and quiet open it and let her out. If she's fussing don't. Even if you have to wait for a split second break in the whinging. Do not let her out while she is complaining or you are teaching her that complaining gets you out.

Put in a search for 'Susan Garret Crate Games' into google. She has great suggestions for acclimatizing a dog to a crate and making it a fun place for them. It really is a lifesaver. This isn't about your convenience, this is to protect your dog from seriously injuring herself. No one is saying just 'crate the dog', of course you will have to put some effort into training her. But the fact that she crates overnight is already a HUGE step above where I was when I started.

Wendy

 

[lorri]

I agree with Wendy in using a stuffed kong.. It's very entertaining for your dog. Just work with her gradually. Whilst she's entertaining with the stuffed kong. Take a few steps away from her. Like 2 steps away then so on every hour you are with her. Training your dog is essential.

I'm not a dog expert. I had watched recently a programme on 4oD about the stress levels in dogs whilst left alone for a few hours and using this method does help.

Lorraine (new member)

 

[TTT]

The only time my dogs are fed is when they are in their cages.......my, how they love getting into those cages............

 

[goldenbear2013]

Mnes create trained! Best decision I ever made!

You have been given great advice, crate train your dog and you will have a happy a destructive free home! I know mine certainly is