Hi guys! I have a chocolate lab whose almost 10 months old and suddenly he decides he wants to chew everything he can get to! He has chewed molding trims, baseboards and the worst is my kitchen table/chairs legs. I tried the bitter spray and it has done nothing. He has toys a plenty and i just bought him tons of bones to chew. My husband and I are gone from 6 am to 4:30 pm. This all happened when i tried working him up to staying out by himself. He is confined to the kitchen, back bedroom and office space. I fear letting him roam anymore due to the damage already caused. Recently he caused the most damage when my husband and I let him roam at night while we sleep. He's never done this at night before but it happened the one day he really just went at it, chewing everything in site. He even stated to chew a corner of my kitchen cabinets!!! It started with the molding at the back door then he moved to the basement door molding and my table and chairs. I dont know what to do anymore. I am getting so frustrated and i feel horrible leaving him in his crate all day and then at night now. I wake up every morning to walk him for a half hour and then my husband walks him for an hour when hes home in the afternoon. Any advice helps! Thanks guys!!!!
Hi Harleigh. 8.5 hours is too long to leave any dog on their own never mind a young one like yours. The chewing is likely related to boredom and/or separation issues and the nighttime chewing could be a result of learned behaviour during the daytime. Can you enlist the help of a friend/neighbour/family member to spend some time with him @ lunchtime? If not, is daycare or a paid walker an option? Good luck.
I completely agree with @Stew. That is a long time for a dog to be alone. We are in a similar position for the remainder of this year (circumstances should change next year) in that we both work full time. We have had great success with a combination of daycare and a midday dog walker who takes the dogs to off lead parks and let's them romp. Obviously this is expensive, but it does work. Otherwise a neighbour or family member might be able to help?
