Chewing up bedding in Crate--sorry long

[shastadaisy]

Alright maybe someone can tell me if this is separation anxiety or just a bored puppy. Shasta turned 1 in Oct. She is crate trained and stays in her crate when we are at work. We exercise her before going in and give her a kong and some other durable chew toys. The problem is that if we put any type of bedding in her crate it is destroyed when we get home (this started back in Aug. or so). From nice plush crate bed lining to old towels. She not only chews it up but will eat the fuzz or pieces of string from the towels. Though it was quite funny to watch her look at her butt in amazement when she pooped because there would be chuncks of fuzz coming out frankly we were tired of pulling it out and didn't think that was too good for her tummy.

So we left her without any bedding. This was fine during the summer but now that it's gotten colder I figure she may want to snuggle up (I do have the heat on but who doesn't want a nice blanket to lay on), tried putting a towel back in and it was again destroyed. When she is out of her crate she does not chew on any bedding or towels or anything but her toys. So does anyone have any ideas how to get her to stop destroying her crate bedding or will she have to do without, is she expressing her boredem or any anxiety? Just tired of replacing linen and expensive pet bedding.

Nicole
boxer mom to
Shasta~10/5/06~brindle~docked~floppy~pure wiggle butt

 

[Goodgirl]

Can you leave her and then peek in a window to see what she does when you leave? If she gets anxious right away and starts tearing it up it is probably separation anxiety. If she doesn't start until later she is probably bored.
do you give her other toys that are safe to leave her alone with like nylabones or kongs with treats inside?
I'm afraid either way, she just can't have bedding. since she eats the stuff giving her beds/towels can be very dangerous. She is lucky its passing, but she could get a blockage easily with all that stuff she isn't supposed to eat.
I used to cover Felix's crate with a comforter but he started pulling it in and tearing out the baffling. Apparently he was eating it too, b/c twice he threw it up! So, no more blankets for him either.
the bed he has now, he hasn't tried to tear up. It isn't this brand but its made like this:
http://www.ecoanimal.com/images/wpd-eco-pet-bed.jpg

 

[SILLY6PAK]

Orvis says they will replace their beds if the dog manages to tear them.

 

[SkooterIsMe]

I have the same problem with Harley, and I was actually going to post here for help, too. I guess he's just not going to have bedding in his crate. I put 2 blankets in there with him. They were old, but in good shape. This is them after 2 days.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/SkooterIsMe/Harley/whatsleftoftheblankets.jpg

I just feel bad. His crate isn't a metal one, it's plastic, but I wouldnt want to lay on plastic every day without anything soft.

I bought some stuff at the pet store called "Calm Down." It's a liquid that you give your puppy a tsp. of, and it's supposed to calm them down, and the label specifically mentions helping with anxiety in crates. But it doesnt help Harley at all!