Re: Does it get better ? So a bad night tonight. We've had full on destruction mode and I feel really bad that I just lost my cool and shouted at her. She's been in her crate for 3 hours this afternoon whilst I was out at football but other than that shes not really had any major downtime since we were up at 8. I've put her in the kitchen now just to give us both some chill time. I want her to be out and interacting but I think I'm over compensating and she's overtired and cranky - just can't seem to get the balance right. Today's destruction count so far: 1 cushion from the living room sofa 1 front door mat 1 lot of embroidery scratched off the hall rug A new hole in the back garden Wife and 1 year old away for the weekend so it's just me and the devil dog. A very non relaxing weekend (although nice walks since Thursday)
Re: Does it get better ? Ah it's hard going but don't shoot me for saying she isn't being awfully terrible......sorry ,just an enthusiastic young lab ,but I know it can be wearing dealing with the antics.x Her crate time today will probably account for the exhuberant destruction this eve....do you use frozen kongs at all?Sectioning them off and time outs definately have their place but if you gave her a frozen kong you may find she will settle down for a legitimate chew ,certainly that was the case for my dog and you don't need to seperate her from you. Now might be the time to tell you as well that there is a twighlight zone phenomena that a lot of us have experienced which happens early eve .....round about the time you want to be settling down ,relaxing after your day....we used to call it 'The Prowl' Dex would turn into a nutter,grabbing cushions ,charging round the coffee table at break neck speed,leaping up onto the couch ,grabbing clothes and pulling them.....all things he didn't do during the day but seemed to have no control over around this time of day.He used to get a play in the garden with his football,a bit of clicker training ,a cardboard tube or something similar with some kibble in to destroy ,a frozen kong ,distraction tactics really then he'd flop down and relax ....but he could be pretty hectic up to that point ! X
Re: Does it get better ? Awwww! Best to make sure she doesn't have access to stuff you don't want her to destroy, then a habit isn't formed. Also best not to tell her off, just distract her with a game or some training (or if she's over tired, a kong). Tatze used to have a real thing about cushions - so they all went out of her reach 'till she got over it. Things will improve, I promise!
Re: Does it get better ? There is light at the end of the tunnel, but you have a few weeks yet before you arrive. You are just entering Labrador adolescence which is trying to say the least. The problem is that Labs are large puppies and have the reach to get things and the strength to destroy them. If she were a smaller dog her attempts to destroy everything in her path would look cute because she would basically fail due to lack of reach and smaller teeth and claws. You have to do their thinking for them and keep stuff away from them. In your post you mention a one year old. I'm sure you keep stuff out of their way, both for their safety and the good of your possessions. Apply the same thinking to the pup and you won't go far wrong. Good luck with it. There were just two adults in our house when we went through this stage and it was hard enough.
Re: Does it get better ? Thanks for the support everyone ! I do give her frozen Kongs but she gets bored with them half way through and jumps on the sofa or me and then throws the Kong on the floor to get the last bits out. She's far too clever for her own good. Fingers crossed today is better than yesterday
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=badgerstuta link=topic=8854.msg149628#msg149628 date=1426414736] Thanks for the support everyone ! I do give her frozen Kongs but she gets bored with them half way through and jumps on the sofa or me and then throws the Kong on the floor to get the last bits out. She's far too clever for her own good. Fingers crossed today is better than yesterday [/quote] If she's getting bored - what are you putting in them? Sardines won't bore her ;D
Re: Does it get better ? She has a mixture of different treats in there (no sardines yet) all topped off with peanut butter on the top and then in the freezer It's not that she's bored with the contents, more that she's bored with trying to get stuff out and wants help
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=badgerstuta link=topic=8854.msg149636#msg149636 date=1426420954] She has a mixture of different treats in there (no sardines yet) all topped off with peanut butter on the top and then in the freezer It's not that she's bored with the contents, more that she's bored with trying to get stuff out and wants help [/quote] Maybe stop freezing them until she is addicted? Bella isn't a fan of peanut butter she'll lick it if that's all she gets but sardines or tuna and cheese are top favourites ;D
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=CDM link=topic=8854.msg149672#msg149672 date=1426438576] [quote author=badgerstuta link=topic=8854.msg149636#msg149636 date=1426420954] She has a mixture of different treats in there (no sardines yet) all topped off with peanut butter on the top and then in the freezer It's not that she's bored with the contents, more that she's bored with trying to get stuff out and wants help [/quote] Maybe stop freezing them until she is addicted? Bella isn't a fan of peanut butter she'll lick it if that's all she gets but sardines or tuna and cheese are top favourites ;D [/quote] +1 Get some cheap tinned sardines from your local supermarket, mix with grated cheese. Its like catnip for Labs.
Re: Does it get better ? Thanks for the tips guys. Millie has been getting bored with her food so rather than keep chopping and changing I've just been running some Tuna through it and boy does it get wolfed down
