Destructive?:My 7mth old is destroying my wifes favourite tree

[sadiedays]

Hi folks I am just running into my 1st major problem with Sadie.The last two times we've gone out and come back there are branches and leaves all over the garden.She has taken to chewing these and it's really got under my skin.My wife ain't a happy camper neither.We leave her with chew toys,a bone etc.I watched her today a from the kitchen without her knowing and she straight away got up to devilment so it's not like she is bored after hours out the back.Is this a phase?Do i block off the tree,or will she just go elsewhere?

 

[RolenKisses]

Rolen used to do this in the backyard as well, but it wasn't with a tree, it was with our wooden fence. We would go out with him and every time he would go near the fence and start to chew we would say "leave it" and treat him when he would listen. It took a lot of attention to get him not to chew the fence. Today, he sometimes will go to the fence, but as soon as I say "leave it" he listens.

 

[ehayes21]

To get her to quit messing with the tree you are going to have to be out there with her EVERY time she goes for it. If you can't be there to watch her you need to limit her access to things she's not supposed to get to. Can you crate her or block off the tree?

 

[Cyrus2005]

We planted a memorial tree for a cherished kitty that passed. Cyrus would not leave it alone! We tried cayenne pepper, which kind of worked until it rained or we watered the tree. What finally worked was to put up a small fence around it. It was still a small tree, so the "fence" was actually a large tomato cage wrapped with metal rabbit cage wire. It seemed to work for us, and eventually Cyrus lost interest in it.

 

[Box Boys]

You could always try to spray it with the bitter apple spray too. Dogs typically don't like the taste of that and will steer clear.

 

[sandy's mom]

Eventually she will grow out of it... But it will be a while yet.
She is still a puppy and needs to be supervised when she is outside...

You could try to fabricate some sort of barrier between her and the tree.
Good Luck!

 

[sadiedays]

Thanks folks,some good tips there.She won't go near it when I'm there the little devil..I've tried a spray this morning so we'll see.I'm weary of blocking it off in case she turns her attention to something but it might be an idea.Anyway she can be left in her bed inside for more than 5 hours which is a positive thing,sooner her do it outside than in!! Thanks very much.

 

[TwoDogs]

Is she playing with the tree? If so it might be that she is looking for something to keep her busy. She probably likes the tree because it plays with her--the branches bounce, sway and swing back at her. She probably likes this interactive type play much better than the toys you've offered her.

Since you can't be out in the yard with her all the time, the key is going to be giving her something to do out there that is more appealing than attacking the little tree. Do you have a large tree in the garden? If so, you could find a bouncy branch on that tree and tie a rope to it. Feed the other end of the rope through a Kong or other durable chewy toy and knot the end. Now she has a great tug toy that, since it's attached to a bouncy branch, will tug back. Make sure the rope is long enough so that she can reach it easily, but not so long that it drags on the ground otherwise she may just plop down and start gnawing at it, or worse, get tangled in it. You may have to block off the little tree for a short while, and even teach her what her new toy is for, but I bet she'll learn real quick and not bother with the little tree anymore.

 

[LILYLARUE]

The tree playing back!? Never thought of this. I just may have to plant a tree so I can use this "tree toy" in the future.

Great idea!

 

[BoxerMom999]

Please do not use cayenne pepper - if that gets into their eyes it would be extremely painful.