HELP dog eating the floor...

[frawri]

Belle was doing so good, I open their kennel up to the whole kitchen. So they wouldn't be so cramped. I felt bad about having them in the kennel for the whole day while I am at work. They are use to me bing home and having them out all the time. They were doing OK with the kennel thing. Or at least they were not showing any real stress signs. But I still felt bad. Any ways I let them out, and they have been out for little less then a month. And I haven't had any problems with them. But then yesterday night, Belle ate the tiling. I don't think she ate any of it per say, just that she chewed it up and spit it out. She did this to the last place we rented, and ended up paying 450.00 to fix after we moved out. Now I know we will have to replace that spot, who knows what it is going to cost us. But the more important thing is this. Now I have put them back in their kennel. I hate doing it, but what else can I do. How can I get her to not be so naughty? My husband just wants to sell her... I need help here, is there anything I can spray on the floor that wont hurt them. But will stop her from eating it?

[k9krazee]

Does she have any chew toys available to her? I would suggest filling up a kong or two and leaving them in the kitchen when your away. And as for the floor you could always apply bitter apple spray, however I've heard that it doesn't work for all dogs. Good luck!

[dragondawg]

Combination of seperation anxiety and boredom. Also maybe you could a neighbor to stop by in the middle of the day to give puppy some attention?

Spraying the floor with bitter apple? Ummm, makes for a sticky floor. And if they taste the bitter apple enough they will get use to it. My prior dog actually developed a taste for bitter apple.

See if you can stage the behavior with the dog. Where you place a toy next to a hunk of chewed up tile. If the dog goes for the tile then you might be able to construct a doggy lesson. But over all your best bet is to try to overcome the seperaton anxiety. Worst case scenario would be to mildly tranquilize the dog during the time you are gone. See if your Vet can direct you to a dog behaviorist in your area.