Help, Dogs Chewing!!!

[Dixieland Dancer]

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!

[beyond_me]

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!

[Dixieland Dancer]

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!

[beyond_me]

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!!!

[beyond_me]

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

[Dixieland Dancer]

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.

[howlyip]

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??