Hi, Our 14month Male Lab has started to chew skirting boards in the hall when left alone. We've only had him from 4.5 months old but he's never been overly destructive (although we have lost a few beds over the months!). I've been using a deterrent spray which seems to have calmed it down but not completely. When left on his own he has lots of toys, the radio on and chews etc. He has never chewed shoes, door stops or emptied bins (touch wood!) he just seems to like gloss paint and splinters. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. PS He's had his bits done!
I know this is bad but I actually made a paste of chilli powder and painted it on the spot where Libby did this. She never ever tried again!
We went through a period where Vanilla would chew the skirting board, cupboard and the wall. The corner of the skirting board was easy because the bed was next to it and allowed her to lay her head against it looking down the hall to the front door, this made her chew it it. I think she was looking to see where we where, so moved it and that stopped it. Others I only found out what it was when I was at home one day. Neighbors always opened the door and allowed their dog out into garfen. It would bark, which in the early days scared her so she would chew the cupboard. Easy fix as I asked if they always let the dog out at the same time. So we got our other neighbor to come in just prior too play with Vanilla. She used to look after her when we are at work, come in every 2-3hours. I know this might not be feasible The wall only happened once due to a Thunder storm and we where not at home at the time. Might just be worth having a look to see if any noises could be causing this, if he gets physical and mental exercise each day.
I walk him early every morning for around 45 minutes, he's off lead through fields and along the canal. I usually leave the house around 8.30am. We have a lovely dog walker lady who takes him out for minimum 1 hour a day, usually for longer, anytime between 10.30 and 12.30pm. I then pop home at lunch time between 1pm and 2pm and usually home just after 5pm. If for any reason I know I can't go home at lunch or will be late she has him for longer. We're not sure quite when it's happening, whenever I get home he always comes to me stretching and yawning and either his bed or a chair (that he's not supposed to be on!) are warm where he's been curled up! I've also just started agility training with him and he has lots of puzzle type toys to keep him occupied. He doesn't seem to go near my shoes or anything that is left out, just the skirting boards!
Thank you. Greatidea! We have a lot of skirting board as we live in a bungalow so everything leads off from the hall! Definitely worth trying my own formulation as the sprays are going to become costly!
Hi @MrsRowly and welcome to the forum. I believe it's worth thinking not about how to stop him, but approaching it from wondering why he's doing it. Is it boredom? Or maybe separation anxiety? As much as you're doing great by not leaving him all day, having a dog walker come in to take care of him, and wonderful flexibility in that for when you need it, some dogs do suffer from separation anxiety with even relatively short periods alone, through no fault of their owners. In the first instance, I think I'd be setting up a video camera to capture his behaviour and see if you can work out why he's being destructive. Do you leave him with stuffed and frozen Kongs when you go out? That can be a good way to alleviate boredom, keep the Jaws of Destruction occupied and tire out the brain a little. Maybe soak and freeze his breakfast and give it to him in Kongs when you go out. That way, he has something to occupy him, and it builds a positive association with you leaving.
My boy, Snowie ripped off a skirting board. It had borer beetle so was nice and soft for puppy teeth. It happened while I was sitting in the same room but in an online meeting with headset attached to computer, unable to stop him! Anyway, the skirting board needed replacing so he helped us speed up the process. To stop him continuing to chew the skirting, we placed a cheap wooden barrier along the wall - looked like an old-fashioned asbestos heater with wooden feet and an MDF board. He'd chew the wooden feet, which we didn't mind, and when he grew out of chewing, we got rid of the barriers. He never really made a habit of chewing anything else except his own chew toys. A few Havianas met their demise (my fault for not putting them away) and he did love the underfelt of the Persian rugs, but thankfully not the rugs themselves - we were lucky! He seemed to chew when we were home, so in his case, it was teething and not separation anxiety. And he was younger than your boy.
Thank you, interestingly we do have cameras but difficult to pick up exactly when he's doing it as its rarely for long, and at different times during the day and not everyday! Thanks for the advice on freezing his food, not considered this. He has a rather delicate constitution and he's not reacted well to any of the Kong squeezy products or peanut butter so will definitely try this tomorrow. He has a basket full of toys of various types and I think we are keeping Nylabone in business at the moment! Fingers crossed for the frozen food!
When we de-crated at a year old (now 18 months), our dog was getting a bit of anxiety being left out of her crate. I created a morning routine that she loves and keeps her busy...I do a treasure hunt of treats in our living room, leave her breakfast in a rolling ball similar to a kong wobbler and put a frozen kong out for her. For her kongs, I mix her regular food with some wet food of the same brand and poke a treat in the opening of her kong and freeze it (I make a week's supply at a time). The morning routine takes her approx an hour and she is fast asleep until our dog walker comes. I also get the dog walker to leave her with another kong. She gets SO excited when she sees me get my bags for work!
Burnt apple spray from amazon. Our choc lab knawed through our kitchen table and chairs plus my husband's work mobile which was accidentally left on the side. Then we were advised to try this - but I am sure there are lots of variations out there basically you just want something that smells and tastes yuk for dogs. Good luck Lisa x
I use natural yoghurt and tuna in kongs (frozen). I find by making different flavours helps. Harley has a sensitive tummy too and I find having natural yoghurt is really good for her tummy.
I made banana froyo for my lot yesterday as a little treat. Kept them quiet while we popped out for our anniversary dinner
