Chewing her bedding/blankets

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scott1990

Boxer Pal
Hi all! My boxer, Lucy, who is about 2 years old, is crate trained. We just adopted her a few months ago, and we initially put a padded dog bed in her crate. Depite always having chew toys in her crate, she would "surgically" pull apart the seams in the bed and remove some stuffing. Finally, we threw it out and replaced it with a smooth cotton blanket and a towel. That was fine for about two weeks, but now she's chewing on the blanket, as well. Has anyone else encountered this problem? Does anyone have a fix? I'd much prefer to give her padded bedding if there's a way...
 

adobeboxers

Boxer Booster
I don't know how to solve it but our Tucker does the same thing. We moved from a nice stuffed bed, to towels, to a old sheet...all of which he shreds. He now sleeps on the plastic bottom (or the shreds of towel/blanket). The only things we can come up with is it is a boredom or nervous energy thing.

I just to feel bad about the lack of padding but then I went through 2-3 beds and a boat load of towels/blankets.
 

2k4bxerlvr

Boxer Pal
TYSON does the same thing. I believe it is because he is bored. I did away with his kennel and turned our guest bed room into a kennel. We actually built a room size kennel within the room. It gives him plenty of room if he has to stay in a bit longer some days. I would suggest giving him something to chew on too. Everyday before work I give him a pig ear or some type of chew treat......he usually doesn't shred after that.
 

scott1990

Boxer Pal
Chewing bedding

Thanks for your input! I actually am very careful about leaving her with several choices of chew toys, but that doesn't solve the problem. I think I'll try putting a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet on the bottom so she at least has some padding, then I'll stick to old blankets, I guess. We have several throw rugs around the house and, although she likes to lay on them, she doesn't chew on them. I wonder if there isn't something distasteful that could be sprayed on her bedding, yet not repel her?
 

Jan

Reasonable Moderator
Staff member
You could try spraying it with Bitter Apple. Just make sure that you shake it up well first. :)
 

Poohsmom

Banned
Dozer is my chewer. He completely demolished a couple of fairly expensive crate blankets and made them look like swiss cheese :) W had a blanket that had the satin edge on it- he loved it and systematicly removed it from the blanket. I have tried Bitter Apple-didn't phase him.I mixed up a spray bottle of water and a touch of cayenne pepper-loved it too.. I live just around the corner from a Goodwill store so I stock up on cheap blankets for the crates. Bring them home and wash them in baby detergent. He has his fave toys in his crate but would rather gnaw the blankets. He even has one that he drags around with him-like linus.
Our silly babies loveicon

Sue and the kids,Pooh,Bownser,Dozer & Cissy
 

Putermom

Boxer Booster
Our Otis is the same way! He's 14 months old and after destroying several dog beds, towels, and blankets...his crate now only has his kong when he goes in. I took my DD's old fleece blanket and folded it up and lay it next to the sofa so that he has a "bed" of sorts to lay on while we are all in the living room. He also has a large Fleece pillow (that I made) that is next to my bed.

I feel bad about the crate being so hard but we can't afford to keep him in beds if he keeps destroying them! They don't last but a few days! Ugh!

Even the blanket in the living room has holes and tears in it from his chewing and all but there's no fluff for he to get at so it's not toooooo bad.

I'm hoping that when he gets a little older, he'll be better and not destroys his beds. Then, I'll go out and get him a new bed. :LOL:
 

xenaprincess

Boxer Insane
Ditto what Jan said!! :) Spirit was chewing all bedding I put in his crate...blankets, foam, towels, etc. He has even chewed Xena's bedding that she has had waaaay before Spirit came along! Finally, I went out and bought some Bitter Apple. I spray it lightly on both beds, and he has not chewed the bedding since! My daughter wants me to spray her Barbie Dolls with this stuff! Spirit has had an ongoing problem with Barbie, and just last night he got into it with her again and it resulted in Barbie losing her head...literally! :p
 

scott1990

Boxer Pal
I'll try it

LOL! Some pretty funny stories there, especially the "Linus" effect! I'll try the bitter apple and let you know how I fare...
 

boxbud

Boxer Booster
Toby has chewed everything up too! Finally for the last 2 months he has not chewed up a thin flannel blanket. He is 17 months old. I am still afraid to try a bed again. He has destoyed 3 beds and 3 blankets. He actually eats pieces of them. I get concerned he will get a bowel obstruction. So he actually ended up on the hard plastic bottom too for months.
I give him several toys and a stuffed kong too. He also chewed up all the water bowls I would hang on the side of the kennel so I got a large hamster-type water bottle to hang on the door. Seems to work. He has not chewed the metal tip at all.

Good luck.
 
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