My boy is 9 months old, and I'm absolutely exhausted. Originally I had a bedroom sectioned off with a puppy play pen and a baby gate which I placed him in when I had to leave the house (I don't work) for a couple/few hours. This was fine until recently when he decided to rip up an entire carpet square and destroy it. I fixed it as best I could, but it looks really awful (am having a proper carpet layer out tomorrow to see what he can do about it). I then tried just putting what I could out of reach and leaving him the run of my apartment whilst I was out, but this too has been a disaster - he lulled me into a false sense of security the first couple of times (nothing destroyed), but then today I left him for less than 30 minutes and he destroyed half my lounge room (okay, I'm exaggerating but I'm seriously upset). I've just ordered a 48" crate and have put the blanket I intend to place in it on my bed (so both our scents will be on it). He loves my bed and will take himself off and lay on it whenever he feels tired. I also intend to keep the crate in my bedroom as again, it seems like his favourite place to relax. I've also decided to stop his midday meal and use filled Kongs in his new crate (when it arrives). Even so, I think he's going to go bonkers when I leave him in it - he's very loud and very whiny when he's put somewhere he doesn't want to be. My first grandchild was born 2 weeks ago, and I'd really love to just go and spend a few hours with my daughter and granddaughter without worrying myself sick with what he's up to - hence the decision to buy the crate. He gets plenty of exercise and training sessions - in addition to a lot of attention and interaction during the day. I suppose I'm just looking for a little reassurance - this is my third Lab and he's a nightmare compared to the other two. Or maybe I've just forgotten how horrible they were at this stage - I honestly don't know. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Bless you xx They are such hard work at this age, Mollie is nine months old, in season and a handful, so I do understand. Here is some great advice. Getting them really gradually used to being left, starting with just a minute, is best. http://www.thelabradorsite.com/crate-training-your-labrador-puppy/ .
You have a teenager. Some Labs go through a phase very much like the teenage phase in children in which all training, manners and behaviours are forgotten. It sounds like you've have two good Labs before and this one is making up for it. Our last Lab, Cocoa, went through this phase with style. Among her proudest achievements were ripping up the Lino in the kitchen and chewing the spine out of two walking boots. She settled into the gentlest and quietest dog.
Bailey at 11 months old decided to "bury" his valuable items under the lino in the corner of the corridor he likes to go to when he's hot (just outside the back door). We now have a missing piece of lino there! At 16 months old this behaviour is getting less, I am hoping it is a phase that he is growing out of. So far he's tried to bury his meaty bones, new toys and his dentastix . He's not been much of a digger, although when out on walks he does like to "kick up the grass" after a wee or poo...makes picking up his poo a rather grassy experience at times!
Thanks for all your replies - I really appreciate your time. I basically did crate training when I sectioned off my spare bedroom with a puppy pen and a baby gate. Only positive associations, and I'd throw in a treat and he'd happily go bounding in. He was fine from 8 weeks to just under 9 months, and then suddenly he decided to go completely loopy and dig and rip up a carpet square. I'll train him again with the crate (it has a bottom so he can't get to the carpet), but, ultimately, he's going to have to accept it irrespective of any loopy/bored moments - I'm starting to feel like a prisoner in my own home, and that's not healthy for either of us.
If Its any help we crate trained our boy after suffering the chewing carpets and dog dishes whilst We were out game . he was about 6 months old. We put some bedding in and bought a reindeer antler chew. We started off a few minutes at a time but the chew always went in with him like a baby comforter. Gradually we extended the time. Now he goes in whilst we are out on trouble. The antler always goes in with him and we make a big fuss looking for it before he goes in.
Not to make light of what you're dealing with, but I think we need a puppy support group. LOL! I'm not sure I would've gotten mine if I knew how much work it is - I also have a child with disabilities (plus 2 more) and thought this would be good for her. Unfortunately she's unable to follow all of the training for him so I'm always either correcting her or the puppy. ((Praying and thanking God this will eventually be worth the hard work)). Hang in there.
