Destruction Won't Stop! Help!

[tessmonster]

Tess is turning a year next weekend and she still is chewing everything! I've bought tons of toys and rawhides. She always has an appropriate item to chew available.

Yet, she still chooses something else to chew and destroy. The worst part is that it happens instantly. She's never left to her own devices w/out supervision for more than 2 minutes at a time. I'll go to the bathroom or look away to answer the phone and next thing you know, my glasses, purse, sunglasses, couch, linoleum, vacuum, YOU NAME it, is destroyed. She has destroyed more than $2000 worth of my belongings, just off the top of my head.

I punish her verbally and by sending her to her crate for a time out, but it's not working. She's also exercised adequately every day (1 hour of dog park play, minimum). I don't know what else to do!

If she wants to destroy something, she'll find a way, no matter how she's punished for taking it the first time. The minute she shows interest in something, I might as well kiss it good-bye.

It's making me crazy!! When will this end?!

Please help! I love her so much and wouldn't ever even think of giving her up, but this must stop!

Frustrated,
Julie

 

[Jan]

She obviously doesn't understand what she is allowed to chew and what she isn't. :( You need to restrict the areas in the house where she is allowed to go, by shutting doors and using baby gates. I would tether her to you with a leash and take her with you as you move around the house. If she tries to chew the wrong thing, take it away and give her an appropriate toy. Praise her when she is chewing the right thing. Punishing her, even if it's on verbally, doesn't really work. You need to ignore the bad behavior and praise the good. When she chews the wrong thing, think bad mommy, you weren't watching. Pick up all your things and put thme where she can't get them. That will increase the odds that she will select the correct chew toys.

When you can't watch her, put her in her crate with something to play with or chew.

Work on the "off/leave it" command. Have you taken her to obedience class? Even if you have, I would take her back.

Good luck!

 

[Rocco850]

We luckily didn't have that much of a chewing problem with Rocco more of a housebreaking issue. I took Tulsa-Dan's advice and bought the book "Culture Clash". If you do a search on that you'll see a lot of recommendations. I'm almost done with the book and it pretty much covers everything with a large chapter about chewing. Try reading that book, it will definitely give you more of an understanding as to why your dog is behaving this way. Just like Jan said, she hasn't figured out what is acceptable to chew in your household yet and that book will help you show her what is.
Hope that helps!

 

[tessmonster]

Thanks VERY much for the replies.

I am quite aware that it's a mommy problem, not a Tess problem. It sounds like I need to become a better house keeper. Hee hee.

Tess had puppy obedience at 4 months and is currently being trained by a private trainer who comes well-recommended. She does really, really well with them. It's me that can't control her.

I just don't want her to be unhappy. She hates being in the crate, so I work from home as much as I can, but even then, I can't give her 100% attention. So, do you think I should put her in the crate even then?

The reason I get so upset is that I am really trying to be the best mom I can be to her. I read all the recommended books, take her to the vet at any sign of illness, hired the best trainer in the area for US, feed her the best food available, work with her daily, play with her daily - nothing is too expensive or too time-consuming for her. She's my child and I adore her.

Even though the destruction is considerable, that's not my biggest concern. I know that I'm failing her and I don't know what else to do.

I'll talk to our trainer on Monday. It was just today that I was frustrated and hoped somebody would have the magic formula. (don't we all???)

At the moment, she's chewing on her bone. Yea!!!!

Thanks again,
Julie

 

[EMWAZ]

Do you have baby gates?? Buy them from Target or somewhere not petsmart, they run up the price, if they think you are using them for your dog.. Anyway, use the baby gate when your working at home restrict your Tess to less of the house where you can watch her better. The bitte apple is a good idea and yes, just like I tell my best friend, you do need to put stuff out of her way.. Don't crate her more if you can keep from doing it, use the crate just for when your away, etc.. I'm sure your trainer has given you all the information about crates.. If Tess won't listen to you yet, you must get more firm with her so she knows you're to listen to and not just the trainer.. Good Luck..

 

[ladyluck_t]

It was just today that I was frustrated and hoped somebody would have the magic formula. (don't we all???)

If you ever find it, can you let me in on the secret!

Good Luck though.

Carolyn and Katie

 

[SC's Mom]

We thankfully no longer have a chewing problem with Caesar. BUT when company comes over he can get over stimulated very easily, our trainer had us tether C to the leg of the kitchen table where he could still see everyone and everything but had restricted access. Also, when he was in his puppy chewing up things when no one is looking phase, we would do this (either to the table or the computer desk-depending on where we were) and we would give him something appropriate to chew on and we could still keep an eye on him. He learned quick. He would be tethered with his 6 foot lead so he had room to move and get comfy.
Good luck!

 

[tessmonster]

All wonderful ideas! Thanks very much.

I've tried some of the recommendations over the weekend and will let you know how we're progressing.

It didn't hurt that her daddy came home after a week of being out of town for work. She always behaves when he's there. He doesn't even live with us, but he's apparently above her in the pecking order and I'm below...which REALLY annoys me!

Thanks again for all of your help. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[shaffeja]

Crate

You should not send your dog to the crate as a punishment. It should be their secure spot, like a den. This may be the reason your dog does not like its crate. Just some thoughts.
-Josh