A 2 yr old who loves to chew

[risa6]

Hello. My boxer, Belle, loves to chew whenever we are gone. We've tried to catch her in the act and say "no", but it doesn't help. I've lost many picture frames (so I'm more worried about the glass than the destruction) and several other items. I'm gone during the day to work, but I take her out for a long walk before I leave and in the evening. I leave her lots of toys (puzzle balls, kongs) and treats, but it doesn't help. I leave her in the kitchen whenever I leave, but I have to make sure the counters are absolutely clear. If there is a way for her paw to reach something, I can consider it gone. I'd love to let her have free access of the house, but I'm afraid the destruction would continue. In the past we've had to replace baseboards and parts of the wall. Does anyone have a suggestion? Help!

 

[BeckyNC]

Do you have any reason to think Belle has separation anxiety? Is she extremely destructive or just occasionally?

Tae will pull things off the counters, but she has only destroyed one thing in the house (a window sill). I attributed that to boredom. Maybe Belle is bored? Tae gets in trouble when she's bored. Tues night I came home just in time. She had pulled her mange medication off the counter and was about to chomp down on it!

Tae has free roam of my downstairs when I am at work. I leave her with a stuffed kong every morning, that was prepared the night before and frozen (makes it last longer). You might try leaving a stuffed kong. Fill it with kibble and peanut butter or cream cheese and some plan yogurt, then put it in the freezer so it has time to freeze. This should keep Belle busy for a decent amount of time. After she eats it, she'll probably take a snooze!

I guess it would be ideal to crate Belle. Is she crate-trained? If so, you might try just leaving her in a crate until you feel she's trustworthy. I think some folks crate their dogs whenever they go out. It's really a way to protect the dog from him/herself. The only reason I don't crate Tae is she panics and it's not a good scene.

Good luck!

 

[risa6]

Thanks for the advice

Thank you for your suggestions BeckyNC. Belle is crate trained. I just hate locking her up in a confined space for so long. I'm a sucker I guess. I think she gets bored easily. We've tried the frozen kong and other treats, but sometimes she won't eat the treat until we've returned. Very strange. Next week is going to be the first time I'm gone for a long period consecutively. I will definitely try the frozen treats again. Thanks again!

 

[BeckyNC]

You know, when I first got Tae, she wouldn't touch the frozen kong I put in the crate. I assumed that was due to the fact she was anxious that I'd left her. Eventually she started eating the yummies. One thing I did was, if I got home and the kong was untouched, I took it away. I made it such that the kong was a special treat when I go out. I rarely give Tae stuffed kongs while I'm at home.

How old is Belle? Maybe she's too young to be left uncrated? Does she like her crate? If Tae did, I'd feel much more comfortable leaving her there when I'm at work. I totally understand about not wanting to leave her crated for a long time. I felt guilty about it as well.

 

[risa6]

Good idea

That's a good idea about taking away the kong. I'll definitely have to try that. Belle will be 2 in August. She is ok with the crate, but it definitely isn't her favorite place. I like leaving her out because I feel she'll at least get a little more of her wiggles out of her system. When Belle is in the crate all day she takes a long time to wind down in the evening.