Hi guys, I haven't posted here for ages (about a year) but hoping you can give me some wonderful words of wisdom. Our lab, now 15 months old, still insists on eating/chewing/hoarding everything he can get his paws on. We have to run a very authoritarian household whereby nothing can be left in the living/dining room apart from furniture. Kids toys/cups/plates/wrappers/remotes/clothes etc must be removed immediately and several 'inspections' need to be held before we leave the house. The kitchen is out of bounds by way of a stair gate, as is upstairs. It would be great to not have to go to these extremes so any advice on this would be gratefully received, however the reason for my post is not this. In 2 weeks - he is going to my best friends house for a week whilst we are away. She has a bulldog who he gets on well with, but the bulldog is the laziest creature I have ever come across and as such, has never posed a problem to them or eaten anything he shouldn't etc. She also had 2 cats. I am concerned about a) the cats, and b) my lab eating/chewing stuff he shouldn't. Is there anything you can suggest for us to start doing or training or anything that will prevent or at least hinder, his desire to cause carnage wherever he goes? I know he needs a lot of training and he has a lot of energy that he doesn't always get the chance to expel but I really don't want to be in a position where I come home and find he's eaten 1 cat, 5 shoes and a hole in the wall. Any advice? Short or long time appreciated. Is this just the age of labs? Or does he have a behavioural problem? Thanks in advance! Emma (and a troublesome Jackson!)
I'll start with the cats - as long as they have "safe areas" and can eat and toilet and sleep in peace then I wouldn't worry about it. But I'm worried that you haven't (and your friend hasn't) brought up these concerns well in advance of your holiday. Has Jackson not had any sleepovers in preparation for his holiday? I'd send him there for the day asap, see how he (and your friend) copes, and go from there. If it doesn't work out for one day then you'll have to kennel him, or find a home boarding situation with somebody who's not worried about their furniture and possessions.
