I have a 10 month old lab bitch and she is chewing my suite and rugs. She has the company of 3 other labs and she chews when I go work for 4 hours and today she even chewed after a walk up the park she always has another lab with her while the other 2 are being walked. Toys and nyla bones are there for her. I don't know whether to put her in the kitchen on her own with the Stargate up so she can still see the others but not chew and give her a frozen Kong. Any ideas most welcome as I have been lucky with my others not chewing this bad when puppies.
Re: Chewing Hi there, and welcome to the forum! Chewing can certainly be a sign or boredom, but also I believe a sign of anxiety. I would think the best course of action would be to keep her confined in a safe space - maybe WITH her lab sister rather than on her own, even with a baby gate (which I am sure at 10mths she could jump if she wanted). Kongs can be a great distraction, and certainly worth a go. You might need several to keep her occupied if you are leaving her for several hours though. Would it be possible to set a video cam up to watch her behaviour when you are not there? Might help you work out why she is doing this. Has she always done this, or is it new? I was just thinking there, has she had her first season or is she spayed?
Re: Chewing If you do end up separating her when you're out, I might suggest something like the Kong Wobbler. I fill mine up with kibble and just a few piece of smelly training treats and Bailey works on it for what seems like hours. Especially if she's hungry like before bed when I can't give her a big meal and trust the bedroom floor not to be a minefield in the morning.
Re: Chewing She started this a month ago. Her routine has not changed.A walk in the morning and fed before I go work. Long walk at dinner when I get home and another walk at tea time the fed again later. I got her at 4 months old my son got her from someone who didn't want her but she was just excersised in a compound with 4 walls and nothing to see. I also think she had a fight as 1 of her ears is half bitten off. She is a very nervous dog on the lead but off lead with a ball she loves to run and plays with other dogs. Maybe it could be anxiety. The camera maybe worth a try. She is spayed.
Re: Chewing Defo camera to monitor her behaviour gives a great insight , Jake had severe separation anxiety and the only way to monitor him was a camera do it over the weekend maybe if you are just popping out for an hour or so . Jake can work through a frozen meat kong in about an hour he only has 2 but is now at a point were he is happy to be left on his own with the radio on in the living room and him shut in the kitchen .
