Help, Dogs Chewing!!!

[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??

[Dixieland Dancer]

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??

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.

[JenBKR]

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??

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!