Help, Dogs Chewing!!!

Please help. I have a 4 year old Boxer, 1 year old Am Staff, and a new 10 month old Pitt/Lab mix. The Am Staff, and Pit/Lab were strays so I got them when they were both about 8 months old. They are chewing us out of our not even a year old house. What do I need to do? They are now stuck in the kitchen with a dog door that goes outside. I wish I could Kennel them till I have more time to train but we can be gone between 8-14 hours and I would hate to do that. The mix is in the kennel at night because she hasn't learned not to potty in the house at night. What are somethings I can do that will stop them from chewing? They have chewed our spa cover, actual spa, couches, pillow, walls, cabinets, wood, grill, shoes, cloths, you name it. We put up a door thing so that they can only be in the kitchen and back yard when we are gone but they like our cabinets, spa, grill, wood, and everything else that is outside and in the kitchen. I have bitter apple and use it on my cabinets, but what can I do that will actully make them stop chewing on everything, and only chew on there toys. They have a lot of toys, but nothing soft or made of cotton. They eat the cotton and I don't want to teach them that cotton stuff is okay. I have kongs, bones and anything that is more indestructable. I can't put food in the k ong though because my Am Staff would prob start something over the treat. What should I do??? Please help. :( :( :(

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Originally Posted by beyond_me

I wish I could Kennel them till I have more time to train but we can be gone between 8-14 hours and I would hate to do that. The mix is in the kennel at night because she hasn't learned not to potty in the house at night. What are somethings I can do that will stop them from chewing?

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I'm sorry you are having this problem but until you make more time for the dogs, you will continue to have the problem. The two that are being destructive sound like they are doing it out of boredom and frustration. They do not sound like they are exercised properly for the breeds of dogs that they are and they are definitely not stimulated enough mentally.

Both of these dogs are just doing something to entertain themselves in your lengthy delays of not being home with them. If you want to see improvements in their behavior you are going to have to make the time to exercise them (even if it's just a brisk walk) for atleast 30 - 40 minutes before you leave them alone. Then you are going to have to stimulate them with some sort of job. By this I mean they need to learn they have to work for their keep. Obedience classes can be a benifit for helping you learn how to make them work for their rewards.

In my honest opinion, it is the trainers fault if a 10 month old dog is not housebroken. This does lead me to believe these dogs do not have enough of your time. Until you make more time to be with them and exercise them more, you will continue to be frustrated. Bitter Apple was not meant to be the substitute for lack of daily and thorough excercise.

You need to give your animals plenty time. And you also have breeds that especially need this.

I found Chilli was a good way to help in training my Holly not to chew, I would mix it in Petroleum jelly and stick it to my reticulation (she had a particular fancy for this), but the true solution was to keep her routine regular with plenty of excercise and alternative chewing exercise. I kept plenty of bones on standby. Excerise is the key, take them out before you go to work and let them burn some fuel, it'll be good for you too! Can you arrange for a dog walker or someone to give them some play time if you really are stuck?

Given that they are strays you haven't had the chance to train them since the were young but they are still at the perfect age to train them, you'll need to be patient and persistant. They're going through some tough times with not being able to be with you, cos your the top dog.

Good Luck with it all. I'm sure you'll get through it. Give them plenty of love and time and all will be well.

I also have a couple of active dogs (the Setter/Blue Heeler mix especially) and am gone a lot for work (also 12-15 hours a day). What works for me is putting them in a large dog lot during the day when I am not home, and bringing them in when I am home so we can play, etc. They have all day to play together and run around in the pen, and they still love to play with me, since it is then a special treat to get to spend time with the 'pack leader', (which authority I established when they were very young by methods described in most positive-reinforcement training books, etc). This is very important to the way my dogs relate to me. If I don't have them thinking I'm the boss, they would never be obedient or trainable.

When it's bad weather, they get to stay in the house alone, and are not usually destructive, since they haven't gotten too pent up. Unfortunately, if we have a week of bad weather or something, by the 4th or 5th day, we may have some minor destruction (pillow stuffing on the floor, etc). I just try to keep anything valuable away from them if I know they're starting to get pent up and bored.

Good luck with yours

Thank you for your replys Dixieland Dancer, jojo and VTJess03. I do take them for a walk at night when I get home from work. I get up at 5:00 and leave at 6:00, so I don't have to much time to take them in the morning. The Am Staff "Calli" wouldn't want to go in the morning anyways. She isn't a morning girl. I know that they are very high strung dogs. Two of them were strays that I picked up, so I dodn't go out looking for them. But I totally fell in love with them. They are my babies. I know I don't have that much time, with house chores and everything I have to take care of, but I do try and make time whenever I can. I have a major fetish with having a clean house, and having 3 dogs and 2 cats and 1 husband you can imagine how much I clean. I think my main problem is that I'm not good at being top dog. I have grown up with dogs all my life with my family. But my papa was top dog. This is my first time with dogs that are all mine. So I am having a hard time. My first dog growing up was a wolf hybrid. I was never top dog with her, she was. So I think that is my main problem, but I am working on that. Spaz my 10 month old also has tick fever and demodex. So that has been fun. She had been getting dips but I stopped because it was really messing with her. She has been doing a lot better with potty training now. I'm just not good at training. I'm still learning. I like to play and have fun, not train and command. But they are learning and doing a little better. I just try to keep everything away from then and cover everything I can't keep away. But I was just wondering if you know of any tricks I can play with them that will help. Right now if they grab something of our's I say "no, bad" and then give them their toys and say "good girls"!!! I think it is helping a little. I just started though. Spaz is also a jumper, so I am trying to teach her to give ten when I want her to jump, but to stay down when I don't. That has helped to. But if you could give me anymore ideas about ways to make learning not to chew fun that would be much appreciated. :)

I think that the best tip I can offer on learning to be top dog and playing games that teach is to invest in a book or obedience classes.

I can recommend Gwen Bailey's book Adopt the Perfect Dog for your situation. I used this book's techniques with my bluetick coonhound who was about 6 or 8 months old when we adopted her and I have managed to housetrain her and get her to sit and sometimes lie down (it's incredibly difficult to get the attention of a dog that is so scent-oriented for verbal commands). Our other dog we got as a puppy, and I had used the same author's book The Perfect Puppy to train her. I had to look at Amazon to remember the author's name, and noticed that they have the first book on sale right now for about $14.

By reading and learning about dog behavior, pack behavior, etc. it really helps to understand what types of training work best for the different dog personalities. I have actually started to take Belle (our setter/heeler mix) to obedience class on my free time (what's that?) on Saturdays to work on some problems like pulling on the leash and not coming when called. I find that it is really helpful to have outside advice on things I have a hard time with. It seems like sometimes other people (with much more experience) have an easier time seeing the root of the behavioral problems for what they are and can help with solutions.

Thank you I'll have to look into getting those books!!! :)

Maybe a little help from your mate would give you more time with the dogs. Or you may need to lower your cleaning standards some until you can train the dogs better. Eventually you could go back to your usually standards.

I am a cleaning nut. (My daughter thinks I'm crazy). But some days I just overlook the dust and clutter and give the animals what they need.


(I live alone, have 3 dogs and 12 cats)

Husbands clean??? He helps sum but makes fun of me so not so much. I wish he would help with the animals a little more but right now he's not so happy with them. He wasn't sure her wanted any animals, so he is a little over whelmed and with Spaz being sick her vet bills are kinda high, so he's not to happy. He's trying to understand the bills and everything getting chewed up but it's hard. Right now I have to give Spaz a bath every 2-3days because of demodex and then I just spray down my other dogs, so that helps with dirt. But I'm learning how to do better with the dogs. I'm the type that always gives treats. My husband makes fun that the dogs are thinken "I pee on the floor get put outside, come back in and get a treat." That's not what I do, but close. So I'm working on how I need to do things. I just got a little to ahead of myself with my animals, but I'll make it work!!! :)

I am hoping this doesn't sound too harsh but I really think you are over committed and have too many dogs for your circumstances. First, you already realize you are not "top dog" in your pack. Second, you have a husband who doesn't help with the dogs and third, you have too many dogs for the long hours of work you put in. If you can't spend the time with them that they require, then perhaps they need to be rehomed into an environment that has the time to devote to their needs.

Your dog(s) being destructive is a sign that they are not being exercised and trained properly and unless you can devote more time to exercise and training, your problem will not go away and it could become a stumbling block in your marriage. From my own experience of training dogs there are certain dogs that are more high maintenance than others and it sounds like you have at least one. I own two and know that with everything else going on in my life, it would not be fair to bring another one into our house even though I would love to. I say that knowing that I am top dog in my house and that I do know how to train dogs. I can imagine someone who is just learning and has three, at least one who is very high maintenance.

Please know that I am not saying this to be critical. I am just stating the obvious and thinking of not only the dogs well being but also yours. It is very hard to worry about what you are going to find when you come home when there is a destructive dog in the house. It would be different if your husband was more active with the dogs and could help out but I also come from that environment and know that it probably won't change.

Maybe you could point out to your husband that there would be less chewing, etc. if he could spend time with the dogs. Besides, the dogs need to know that he's alpha to them, just as you are.

In the meantime, and under your breath, keep saying "and this too shall pass!" over and over and over......... :D

You are right. I know I prob bit off more than I could chew, that is why I am asking for idea's on what to do. My husband does help, he's just not as as much of a push over as me, but he does love them. The dogs do know that he is alpha. They listen to him and do really good with him. I'm the one that deals with them the most though so I need to start being alpha. It has caused some problems with our relationship, but we are working though it and doing a lot better!!! :) I didn't want 3 dogs. I was happy with two and working with Cali. Then I saw a stray that was a sweet heart and had to stop. I have seen to many dead dogs on the road that I couldn't drive by. She didn't have a micro-chip and I never saw any signs for anyone looking for her so I tried to get her a home but the girl who took her was wanting to breed her (which I am against because there are already to many dogs that don't have homes) and she didn't have money to pay her apartment bill for having an animal but could get her a $25 collar that said (b*tch). I know that I'm not the best home,but I love them, and where I live it is hard to find a loving home with her breed!!! Everyone breeds them, fights them, or just leaves them in the back yard in 120 degree weather!!! I don't think so. And every one that I know that are good to there dogs already have 3-5 dogs. I love all my dogs and I'm going to make it work. I am working with them and learning what works best for teaching them. I was just looking for idea's from people that have gone through it. No body wants a dog with tick fever and mange, but I do because I love her, and I don't want to worry about her being taken care of. With me I know that she is getting her medication, vitamins and baths. She's learning, and so am I!!!
oh "and this too shall pass" is my fav saying!!! :)

Remember firmness is they key in disciplining your dogs. Use a Low "BAH" (keep your tone low) when you catch them in the act doing something you don't like, and use a high pitch praise when they respond to your commands and appropriate behaviour.

For jumpers it can be of benefit to ignore that behaviour and wait for the animal to become more settled before you give them special attention, especially if it is in greeting (visitors, or you've come home from work etc), ask your guests to abide by this as well. Give them the appropriate commands. Teach your animal by rewarding the best behaviour, with treats and praise, and though you may think you are not the top dog, if you are persistant, you will realise that it is so much easier than you originally thought. ;). Remember they're still young and full of energy!

I personally had to raise a staffordshire bull terrior with a heart defect, as well as my weimeraner, so I understand the time and attention this requires, as well as the cost. But you have made the committment to these animals, so my belief is to follow through. I know you will try your hardest, but you need to be realistic as well, don't compromise your family and your animals sanity if you really cannot cope well enough. Do try and get assistance, but know your limits.

Good luck.

Thank you jojo!!! :)

I hasve a very active 7 month old Shep/Chow and even the walks are not enough I take about an hour severasl times a day and have time w/him working from home makes it that way at times it is not easy. When we started that he was chewing all the time I got some hooves and he loves them to the poing he knows when it's our time and he will bring it to me where ever I am, correct and direct is the way to go .. if he has toys use them as well

rennie

I admire you for at least seeking out help, not just dumping them off at the pound!

However, just letting the problem fix itself or being apathetic about it is almost just as bad. The more your dogs are allowed to chew, the more they will chew. My advice is (and this might be difficult, but I think it'll be a lot less painful than being chewed out of house and home)...

*Get enrolled in a good Obedience class, now! If you must, bring one dog at a time, on different days of the week. The class experience and one-on-one demonstration with a trainer is essential. You should really consider getting at least one at-home visit from a dog behaviorist.

*Get up 30 minutes early and run your dogs!

*Get a dog-walker, have your husband go home on his lunch break, or you go home on your lunch break, to exercise the dogs. Do whatever is possible. They are obviously very bored and unhappy sitting around by themselves all day... would you expect a 3-year-old child to sit peacefully in a room all day? They need exercise and attention! Consider crating them, or setting up a secure pen that they can stay in while they aren't supervised. Not only is chewing bad for you, it's SUPER dangerous for hard chewers! Pieces of wood or plastic can become lodged and can cause death, very quickly.

*Suck it up and be an alpha. It's hurting your dogs, and confusing them, to not know who the leader is in their family! Both you and your husband need to use strict NILIF (Nothing in life is free training) with your dogs, give them very limited access to privileges, and treat them like dogs - not people! This doesn't mean you need be abusive or negative at all. It means you need to clearly establish what you expect of them... they need to earn everything - their food, treats, petting, everything - by either sitting or laying down. They come last - they eat after you, walk through doors after you, and they do not pull you along when you're on a walk with them.

Thank you. Spaz has been doing a lot better with knowing we are the boss. I've only had her for about 1 1/2 months. I think with her it helps that she goes in the kennel at night. My other dogs think that they are human though. Roxy our boxer was riased by my husbands family, and my mother in law always wanted a 3rd kid so she was that to her. And Cali I've had for half a year is totally spoiled but pretty good other then chewing. It took a while to potty train her, but I've heard her breed can be normally hard to potty train. But she listens pretty good. We are taken them on longer walks at night, and my husband is playing more with them when we get home while I'm cooking dinner. We should get up earlier, but I already have a hard time getting up, not a good enough reason, but right now I'm happy that we are walken them more at night. 1 step at a time. They have been doing pretty good lately. Spaz if getting fixed this saturday so that should help. It totally calmed down Cali. I do need to work on the dogs letting me go through a door first, and us eating first. Usually I have to move out of their way. But I do see things changen and I'm doing better at making them sit before they get a treat and before we go for a walk. When we walk I'm telling them to do stuff just to make them know they need to listen to me all the time, and to stop Cali from pulling, they are doing good. My husband has been helping me out a lot more. He's being more understanding and helpful. We normally walked them, but now we are running with them and getting them (and us) worn out.

Also does anyone know of any tricks to get Spaz to stop barking at at my cats? They stay in the laundry room in the day because I have a dog door and my cats are house cats, so Spaz doesn't see them that much. I usually let her visit them but they don't come out much when she is around. They mostly come out at night now when she is in her kennel. I'm just wondering how to speed things up with her leaving them alone.

We work about an hour away from home. So we really don't have the time or the money for gas to go home for a luch break. I have thought about kenneling, but I hate to do that because I know dogs need to play and do stuff for their health. I would hate to make them hold it for 14 hours most days.

About the trainer, I would love to but money wise I can't really afford it. Also I know that when you get a trainer you are being trained too. You have to keep doing what the trained does for it to work. Which is fine but hard. I have a gentle leader for Cali, and my sister was training to be a dog trainer but had to stop because things came up, but she has shown me how to stop her from pulling, I just don't like to do that. But I should though huh? Also I know how to stop a dog from jumping with using a leash, I just need to do it. So I rather try and do things myself with advice if possible.

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Originally Posted by beyond_me

my sister was training to be a dog trainer but had to stop because things came up, but she has shown me how to stop her from pulling, I just don't like to do that. But I should though huh?

So I rather try and do things myself with advice if possible.

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If you ignore the advice, why should we continue to give it? Just curious!

You are basically admitting that if the advice you are given doesn't fit your needs, you ignore it. You have been given the BEST advice possible for you and your dogs situation. I believe it doesn't fit what you want to hear so you are going to keep asking until someone says what you want to hear. It doesn't work that way. Sorry. :(

not everyone can afford a trainer!!! :(

But you have been given FREE advice from people on this board and your sister. Can you spare getting up 1/2 hour earlier or giving the dog an hour of your time in the evening? It is important. You may come home one day to find something chewed and your dog seriously ill or worse, dead from something it ate. You have to do SOMETHING!

Perhaps you can ask hubby if he will "walk with you" in the evenings and then each of you can "take a dog along" just because. However and whatever you do, you need to exercise and stimulate the dogs more.

Me and my hubby do take the dogs out for a walk at night. We were just walken, but now that we are in a little more better shape we jog with them, and play with them during the walk. Also when we get home when I'm cooking dinner my hubby plays with them. They adore playing with him. Cali not so much because I babied her and she likes to sit and watch but Roxy loves it and Spaz is learning. The morning though Cali wouldn't want to go out anyways, and I already do not get enough sleep. I'm about ready to fall asleep when I'm driving, and I drive a lot for work, so I need my sleep, but I do play with them in the morning and give them a lot of attention when I'm getting ready.
I know them chewing is very Dangerous!!! My sister has told me ways to stop my dogs from pulling and jumping, but I have a hard time doing those things, and have tried other things that are working. I am thankful for everyones advice, it helps give me ideas on what to do!!! That is what I am looking for. I have to do what works for me and my dogs. I know I can't keep doing what I have been doing, I have been changing, but it's not going to be over night. I have been a push over all my life with animals. It's going to take time for me to step up, and I am!They have been a lot better. They don't jump on the screen that keeps them in the kitchen anymore, which I use to never stop them, they are learning not to jump unless I say give ten, Cali isn't pulling much anymore, and they sit everytime I tell them to,and things are a lot better. Cali comes everytime I call her. Roxy not always, because my hubby is her alpha, she's jealouse of me, and Spaz just now knows her name so she'll be learning to also.
I have been around dogs my whole life, and do know a lot about them. I just have never had to be the one that was alpha, but I am learning!!!

Maybe if you can't afford to pay for obedience, you can find someone else in a similar situation and use the advice you have been given to be each others' obedience accountability. You could help them with the basic obedience that you have mastered, and you can ask them to make sure you are consistent with a particular technique that has been suggested to you or that you just need a little more practice with. It won't be as good as one-on-one with a professional trainer, but if you are careful and follow sound training techniques, it will provide each of you with an extra set of eyes to catch mistakes/bad habits before they become too far along to fix. (I would not recommend your husband though unless your relationship is very strong. Even with my loving hubby, this would strain our relationship and become a 'you're doing it wrong' blame-fest lol ).

So far from what I have read in this forum is some ideas to help beyond_me with some chewing isues, but everybody has agreed that she needs to work on becoming the alpha in her dogs pack.

How about some ideas and tricks and training that she can do to become alpha first, rolled into some ideas on stopping chewing.

I myself understand not being able to afford a trainer, I had 4 dogs (3 rescues), worked 12 hours a day, and my husband wasn't fond of the dogs in the first place, just because one was potty training, one was digging and the other two barked.
How in the world would I be able to convince him we needed a trainer? I couldn't, so I joined up on a board like this and started getting tips. NOT ONCE, was I told to get rid of them. When someone is asking for help, help them, find the real issue, which in the case for beyond_me seems to be becoming the alpha, and from there learning some tricks.

There was someone who helped, saying that she goes through the door first, eat firsts, etc. All these are great but there has to other things to help speed this process along. I do agree that beyond_me needs to work on knowing that some things she may just need to suck up and do to get this to start working. Dogs are the most forgiving creatures I know, they also adapt extremely well if given the chance. They will love you no matter what. They desire to have someone be in charge, therefore making the rules set before them easier to follow. They won't have to worry if what they do is wrong, because they will learn exactly what is wrong and what is right.

Beyond_me, I suggest some reading that was brought up earlier, start to change your way of thinking on what dogs truly need to do it right. My dogs have had to learn some rules set forth by my husband, and they have adapted, even my 10 year old at the time. She stills loves me uncontrollably and always will.

So please, I think the question asked is, what are some tricks that will help beyond_me become alpha, and while this is going on, besides exercise what else can be done to help stop the chewing???

With these dogs being rescues, and so young, who knows what there life was like before. You are starting from scratch. It will happen, just become open to a few ideas, try them and see what happens.

[URL=http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm]

[URL=http://www.sspca.org/Dogs_TANSTAAFL.html]

This shows the basics of NILIF "Nothing in life is free" It works, but it's a big change from where you are, but it works. I will try to find some more web sites on this to give you more information.

Hrm. Howlyip, I never said she should re-home them. But, she should ABSOLUTELY do something, soon. If it's really straining her marriage and her life, she wants to go forward in baby steps, and the dogs are unhappy/in danger, this should be taken pretty seriously.

I think that, since more exercise and time spent playing with the dogs is not do-able, they really need to be safe first and foremost. Chewing up wood and spa covers isn't safe!!! It'll result in painful chipped teeth or blockages, easily. I think the dogs should be in a secure, dog-proofed zone when not supervised. A dog run/pen or a secure area in the house with NOTHING there to chew on.

Honestly, a behaviorist costs about $75-100 per hour. Just one hour giving the behaviorist your history and situation, and him/her giving you advice for your personal situation, could help a LOT! Otherwise, read up on everything you can, get and plan, and DO IT. Could your husband run with the dogs in the morning before he leaves? Could you take them in the yard and play with them for 20-30 minutes and tire them out? Could you hire a private dog-walker, who charges reasonable fees for a number of dogs (I've seen some that charge $10 for a jog/walk, and small fees for each additional dog)? There are lots of things you can do to eliminate the strain on you and the strain on your dogs right now.

I DID mention that I though she should consider rehoming the one dog earlier in this thread if she was not able to spend more time with it. This was said because she stated she didn't have the time for the dog and was spending long hours away from home. The dog is 10 months old and still not housebroken! But that's not my primary concern. The dog being so destructive is. It is not a safe environment for the dog and she may come home to a seriously sick dog or worse, some day.

This is not a case where learning tricks is going to make the dog safe. This is a case of a dog being bored and finding something to do with it's time while the owner is away. The only solution is to stimulate the dog physically and mentally so that when she is gone, the dog will rest instead of destroy. Several people have given suggestions but I have heard many excuses on why these suggestions can not be done. She would find a way, no matter what, if it was a top priority. I have also made my comments knowing that this is a big enough subject to cause friction in her marriage. So I stand by if she doesn't exercise and mentally stimulate the dog more, the problem will not go away and may become a serious issue. If it was my dog and I knew I was not able to give the dog what it needed, I would find it a home where someone could. I did not say take it to the shelter.... I said actually find a loving home for it! I am a dog trainer and know that this situation would require a lot of my time and committment but foremost would be exercise and mental stimulation. Learning obedience is the mental stimulation and there is tons of information on how to do that available. Only she can exercise the dog properly and she admits she doesn't have the time to do that.

There are ample suggestions for improvement in the situation. She now has to take action!

Spaz is 10 months old but I've only had her about a month and a half, and she has been on antibiotics and she had 2 dips for mange that really set her back. She had been doing good but everytime I did a dip she got really messed up, depressed, sick and started peeing again, but I have stopped the dips and am doing other things that are a lot better, so she is a lot better now. Also I understand that I'm not hore as much as I would like to be, but I try to do my shopping during my break, and try not to do anything after work so that I am home with my dogs. I even try and stay home all weekends and hang out with them.
Also finding a good home is hard. Everyone who loves dogs already has enough. I would rather try and work with her then to find home after home for her. If the first home I gave her to didn't work, then she would just keep going different places and get stressed out which is bad for her demodex. She has Tick Fever which is why she has demodex but stress makes it worst. I know she can tell that we have been stressed with them chewing and I know that stresses her out, but lately they have been doing really good and we are doing better with them also. She is very happy where she is at. I would hate to make her go from home to home till she found 1 that would keep her. She's a lover and very smart. She has an awesome nose. But with her breed it is asking for the wrong person to want her. I know chewing is dangerous, they haven't been doing that for the last week. That is when we really started to wear them out walking, not just going for a walk, it has helped. I love all my dogs, and I only want is best for them, and I am working on that!

I'm glad things are working out. Please note, I only suggested rehoming her if you didn't or couldn't find more time to exercise her. If you can manage, I would never want to you get rid of her. It's just that I've seen first hand the stress a dog who is bored can put on a family and the danger it poses to itself. Exercise and mental stimulation are this particular dogs greatest needs. As long as you address these two needs, she will turn out to be a great dog! :)

Thank you. I understand now what you were saying, and I totally know how much stress it can be on a marriage. Lucky for me and my hubby we are working things out, and it's teaching us even to be better at talking and explainging what we are thinken, so in the end I think it will be a good thing. I just need to get her to stop chewing for her sake and ours, and it seems like things are getting better!!!
I think she will be awesome also. I think the main problem was I hadn't gotten Cali to totally stop chewing before I got Spaz. Now I'm having to work with two dogs, but they are getting better.
I am wondering, is there anyway to give a dog a chore to do when you are gone? I know they have kongs and you can fill those up with treats and peanut butter to have them do that, but I don't want to do that when I am gone. It might be a dumb question but can they know that they need to do something before you get home, kinda like I know I have to do so much at work before I can go home?
Anyway if anyone has a cool idea or game that I can do to teach my dogs to only chew on their toys that would be great!!! :)

Those web sites are pretty interesting!!! I will need to try doing that. Thank you!!! :D

What an interesting idea.... ok guys, have the dishes clean and the rugs vacumned before I get home! Nope, I don't think it's gonna happen! :(

I used a round buster cube for mine when they were teething and filled with energy. I filled it with their morning ration of kibble with the opening rather small and then I would put them in their crate. They would push it around getting all the food out and it took them a good 1/2 hour or so. I actually did this even when I was home. That's about the only job they had when I was away other than sleeping! I'm interested to see what other jobs people give their dogs when their home alone. :D

I think this has to be a chore that doesn't involve food. I think I remember beyond_me mentioning something about being nervous with the other dog and food when they weren't home. Besides, with these breeds, food really shouldn't be given when they are not supervised.

The idea of a chore sounds great, I will have to think on this.

Dixieland Dancer, I am curious, as a trainer, how often do you run into people who don't have the time all the time to train there dogs perfectly?? What do you suggest to them??

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Originally Posted by beyond_me

not everyone can afford a trainer!!! :(

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Sooo.... its cheaper to replace all the items they broke and destroyed from chewing and jumping than to pay for a trainer?

I'm going today to get my dog training certificate. I've worked hard the past few months and let me tell you, training is NOT as expensive as people initially think. Get past the fee for the class and realize that this could help you save your sanity and you'll come to enjoy living with your dogs again. If that happens, how can you put a price on that?

As for the tips... honestly I didn't read through this whole hoopla. There are dozens of ideas and theories as to how to get your dog to stop jumping up. All require the same thing: consistency, consistency, consistency.

And DD is right -- give them something in the crate to keep them busy. They need to be mentally stimulated, and something like a Kong (you don't load it with food, just a spoonful is plenty) is awesome to keep them entertained while you're not there. A dog that is mentally active instead of bored all the time will be less likely to have severe beahvioral issues

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Originally Posted by howlyip

Dixieland Dancer, I am curious, as a trainer, how often do you run into people who don't have the time all the time to train there dogs perfectly?? What do you suggest to them??

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Personally, I find there are those who will make the time, no matter what time they have to invest, because they have their dogs best interest at heart. We are only talking about a minimal amount of time a day. Then there are those who will find every excuse possible on why they can't train their dogs or why their dogs are not learning. Every dog is trainable if the handler makes the committment. I work with anyone who is willing to invest the time to learn. I also work with the handlers who don't make the effort as long as they at least make the attempt to show up for class even though it sometimes gets frustrating because I can see the dogs potential. The effort I'm referring to is working with their dogs in out of class situations or in other words, homework.

I never expect a handler to have a "perfect" dog. Even those who have been training for years and know what they are doing seldom have a perfect dog. However, it is not unrealistic to expect a dog who understands the pack heirarchy and will listen to the pack leaders basic commands (even if they are not performed perfectly) instead of the dog being out of control. I always place safety for the dog and the handler at a top priority. In some instances, I have even taken the dogs and trained them personally. This is usually only in extreme cases where the handler just isn't able to grasp the pack leader concept even though they are trying and it is a matter of the dogs life and safety.

Some people should not be dog owners. In those circumstances, I go out of my way to work for the dogs well being, even if it means rehoming it. I do rescue and have helped place many dogs in new homes. Even online, I have given suggestions to many people but this is a harder forum to work with since I can't give one on one demonstrations to get some points across. However, I still try as time permits.

In this threads instance, I have given my opinions that I believe the dogs are bored and unstimulated. It is a safety issue but I have done all I can by providing information (along with others). The rest is up to the owner. Now, it comes down to how much she wants the dogs safety. If she has further questions, I am willing to answer if possible. I hope this answered your question. ;)

It's been my experience that less time training, but with more frequency is a better approach, then long periods of training time at one shot. When teaching a new command, I've never spent more then 5 mins at a time, but I do train every day. That way they're getting the repetition to learn something, but we're stopping before either one of us can get frustrated or bored. Training always ends on a high that way and becomes fun.

Once they have a command, I just integrate that into everyday life. So for example, once they know what "Sit" means, I'll have them "Sit" before they go outside or "Sit" before they get their dinner. This just takes consistency, not time. It only takes a couple of seconds to say "Sit" and have them do it, before you place their dinner down.

I've been working with my Collie, Gull to learn to weave through weave poles. It's a complex behavior for a dog to learn. I've been in agility classes, where I've found that quite a few ppl train this like 30 mins at a time and they were quite surprised to learn that I only trained this task for around minute a day.

Gull did not pick up this behavior as quickly as my first Collie, Oz and I have to admit I had momentary thoughts that he's just not going to get this. But I stuck to my training philosophy, practice everyday, but only 1 minute. After about a week, out of nowhere, I noticed the lightbulb went on for him. He got the concept. We still have a ways to go to fade out the lure, but I've no doubt he'll get there. And on the plus side, he does it with joy and speed, because of short training times, it's viewed as fun vs a chore.

Anywho, I think people have this wrong view that you have to train for excruciately long periods to get anywhere and I think that actually has the opposite effect. Train everyday, keep it short and fun. You'll be amazed at the results.

Par...

Thank you ParNone!!! I can totally see how that would work. If you sit ther and keep trying to get them to do something and they don't get it, it gets very fustrating.
Also I do spend all my time that I can with my dogs. I do have to work to make money to keep them though. This weekend they were not left home alone at all. I swear the weekend was all about them. And that is what I try to do all the time I can. I work an hour aways from home so that is 2hours and then usullay we work 9-11 hours, but when we come home I spend most of my time with them. I have to give Spaz her meds, give her a bath every other day, and give my other dogs their attention, cook dinner, and try to keep things organized. I know everyone has things to do, but I don't know where you got that I don't want to spend time with my dogs. I just work a lot, but other then that I am with them most of the time!!! Also I don't want them to clean the house (even though I tell them that if they wanted to they could:)) I mean just something that doesn't have to do with food that will keep them busy. Just a question, doesn't have to be something that can have an answer, just something I am wondering.
I worked at a dog day care and I have met many dogs that have had training and are worst them my dogs will ever be. Also I haven't really had any good reason to get a behaviorist. A family rescued a golden and took it to day care a couple of times, then over the weekend I guess the dog nipped on of the kids. The first thing the behaviorist told them was to put the dog down. Not try to find a home with out kids, not work with the dog. So they put it down before they even told us (people at the day care that could have helped to find a home). So I'm not ready to go spend money and have nothing change. I know trained aren't only traing there dog but also the owner, so I just need some advice and I can do it myself.
Also DD what makes a person not fit to have a dog?

I can totally relate to the time at work thing. I am working 1-1/2 hours from home right now, 5 days/week, and my Saturdays are being taken up with 4-H leadership, (new) obedience class, and trying to catch up on housework. Sundays are for church, and Sunday afternoons are for my husband and my critters. I do the 5-10 minute approach at least 2 or 3 times each evening, and at least 1 or 2 times in the mornings before I leave. Pretty much any time I'm home, I work my dogs in.

For example, I'm fixing dinner and my dogs are at the other end of the house...I call them with my recall command, and treat them if they come like they're supposed to.

If it's bad weather, I'm usually home with them because my job is an outdoor job (construction-related) and I don't have work if it's raining, etc. This does allow me to work with my dogs more often than some people who also keep 12 hour days. (actually, last week, I logged 17 hours on one day).

I just want to encourage you that you can have obedient, loving dogs that behave when you're away, even if your job keeps you gone most of the time. ;)

Also, I find that if I leave them with something to do (rawhide chews or something) they usually leave them alone until I get home again, then take them out to finish the activity...it's strange, but that's the way they act.

I just got them 10 Hooves, and gave them 5 last night. They haven't chewed anything up so far this week!!! :) My husband was determined to leave things in the back yard, so he had to work on Sunday so I went through everything and dog proofed everything that I could.
Also they have been doing a lot better with manners. My husband has been working with them and it is working really well. The thing though is they listen to him, not so much me, but I'm working with them to. I just can't get the voice right that gets them to listen like my husband can. They are use to me cheering them on when they are good, not really getting them to stop doing things that they shouldn't, but they are a lot better. Thanks for everything!!! :)

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Originally Posted by howlyip

Dixieland Dancer, I am curious, as a trainer, how often do you run into people who don't have the time all the time to train there dogs perfectly?? What do you suggest to them??

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My husband and I both work full time, and I do a lot of volunteer work outside of the house. We MADE time. We don't have a lot of money so we saved up the $85.00 fee for Roscoe's obedience class. We also drove 35 minutes to get to his class. No, it's not always possible to train your dog 'perfectly' but it certainly is possible to work a lot with them if you love them.


I don't know if I can really give any advice other than what has already been said. Roscoe has never really had problem with chewing (at least not since we got him, but he was already 3 1/2 so maybe he was past that). Roscoe does have seperation anxiety though, and I tried giving him a kong, but he's not interested in it. I have heard that kongs work great with other people though, so it might be worth it to give it a shot. Have you considered crating your dog also? That might help. Good luck! :D