Taggart is chewing wood!

[bckrazy]

You got lots of good advice! I second the stuffed/frozen Kong recommendation. I would also exercise the dogs for longer periods when you go out. A tired puppy is much less likely to get into trouble. Part of the thrill of chewing is that it gives them mental/physical stimulation and is an outlet for their energy.

I just wanted to add, be VERY careful and dilligent about not allowing him to consume wood. I would go so far as to make it as negative as possible... even using a hose/spray bottle/sound aversion? And limit any unsupervised time. A friend of mine allowed her BC puppy to eat bark (their yard is covered in bark chips) as she pleased. It became an obsession. After a few months, she began having severe gastrointestinal problems, and it turned out that all of that wood caused an infection, which turned into pancreatitis. She has to have enzymes with every meal for life. It can really cause more problems than destroying a deck, for sure.

[Taz_Zoee]

You got lots of good advice! I second the stuffed/frozen Kong recommendation. I would also exercise the dogs for longer periods when you go out. A tired puppy is much less likely to get into trouble. Part of the thrill of chewing is that it gives them mental/physical stimulation and is an outlet for their energy.

I just wanted to add, be VERY careful and dilligent about not allowing him to consume wood. I would go so far as to make it as negative as possible... even using a hose/spray bottle/sound aversion? And limit any unsupervised time. A friend of mine allowed her BC puppy to eat bark (their yard is covered in bark chips) as she pleased. It became an obsession. After a few months, she began having severe gastrointestinal problems, and it turned out that all of that wood caused an infection, which turned into pancreatitis. She has to have enzymes with every meal for life. It can really cause more problems than destroying a deck, for sure.

Thanks for the info. And I'm sorry about your friends dog.
I have been checking the deck each day and it doesn't appear to be any worse. So I think the toys I got him have helped. When I check on them outside they are either playing together or he is throwing the cuz in the air and chasing it as it bounces around. LOL
I will be cleaning the yard this weekend so I will check the poo piles as I pick them up to see if there is wood in them still. I also plan on getting MORE toys for outside when I get paid next Friday.
Note to self: get toy boxes for indoors AND outdoors!!