I could just cry

[Kaybie's Mom]

I just don't understand. Kaybie has been out of her kennel for at least 6-8 months now. She gets long tiring walks every single day. I have to put the dining room chairs on the couches because otherwise she digs at them and rips the cushions. But since I've done that, it has stopped the problem. She has been fine. I still puppy proof the house everyday too, just to be safe. My dad just called me and had stopped by my house for something and told me that somehow Kaybie opened the hall closet and got in to everything. She tore open soaps and toilet cleaners, etc. Nothing seems to be eaten just destroyed. Towels dragged in to the living room, a new spot on the top of the couch ripped open, etc. My dad put her in her cage when he saw all this. I am near tears at this point. I'm doing everything right and she is fine for months and months on end and then suddenly she destroys the house. I don't want to have to keep her in her cage for the rest of her life. It's supposed to be a housebreaking tool, not a life long thing. She hasn't had accidents in the house in a long time. Why is she fine for months on end and then suddenly decides to destroy the house? Nothing has changed and nothing is out of the ordinary. I'm so upset.....what do I do?

 

[Roxygirl2006]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep a closer eye on the puppy proofing. Given the opportunity, I don't know any boxer that could resist getting into a little mischeif. I know it's easy for me to say b/c she didn't tear my closet apart. You have to try to stay one step ahead of them all the time, as hard as that is.

 

[mguiette]

Roxygirl is right, as hard as it sounds. We puppy-proofed our home and let the boys roam-- big mistake!! i came home to magazines torn to SHREDS, kitchen table cleaned off (good thing i only had placemats there) and the cord to our lamp CHEWED OFF!!! it was plugged in too! :eek: i found the plug when i was cleaning the mags up... needless to say, i keep them in our spare bathroom or outside. this way, there's nothing in the bathroom, but if it's too hot outside (or bad weather) they're confined, but still together, and outside they get to wear themselves out!! i'm sorry you had to come home to that, but just try to keep one step ahead-- like you're following a toddler around!!

 

[Kirby Kirb]

I can understand why your so upset, I was the same way when I came home, and Kirby had destroyed his seatbelt! Not as bad, I know! As much as I hate to keep him in his crate, I made a promise to myself to do this until he was atleast 2-3 years old, by this time he should be matured. Not only for the safety of my home, but his. I could either be spending a bundle on medical bills for him getting into something, or a bundle on fixing my house and furniture. If I am going out for a short time 1/2 hour to hour max, I will leave him out, but thats it so far!

 

[ELubas]

Agree with Kirby Kirb-some of them just need to be crated longer. My boy is over five and if I am going to be gone more than an hour I still crate him. His crate is huge, he is safe, and I can have piece of mind. But I know folks who have much younger dogs that do not need to be crated at all. Just depends on the pup. My girl is only a year and the couple of times i left her out she was fine, but then one time she went wild-it's just not worth it for you to have to worry about it and then be upset and come home to a mess.

 

[sandy's mom]

Believe it or not, she will grow out of it.

Napoleon turned 3 in December and he was destructive until about 5 or 6 months ago. He had "eaten" molding and doors, carpet, whatever he could get his little paws on. Then all of a sudden, it was over.

 

[Kaybie's Mom]

Well I cleaned the disaster of my house yesterday and Kaybie is in her crate this morning. She gave me the pitiful "but why mom?" look as she went in. But I can't do this anymore with her destroying the house. Maybe once she starts going to doggie daycare 2-3 days per week (which will start in the next couple weeks) she will be tired enough to be left out on her off days. We'll see.

BTW, I went through all the cleaning supplies and everything is accounted for. Doesn't appear that she ingested anything. She just opened a few packages of things but didn't eat anything. I kept a close eye on her all night to make sure she didn't act funny and she seems totally fine.

 

[Biff]

She didn't eat anything. I kept a close eye on her all night to make sure she didn't act funny and she seems totally fine.

Well that's good news anyway

Biff has never done any major damage, but I know he would get into mischief if we left him alone in the house uncrated. We always put him in his crate if we are both going out - it's never for very long, and he doesn't mind - he knows the script!

 

[Draymia]

I tried my 14 month old last month. She was good the first few days, but soon began hauling out new chew toys (shoes, books and more). So, she is back in her crate for a few more months. They just need to grow up and some take longer than others.

 

[Louise501]

I don't want to have to keep her in her cage for the rest of her life. It's supposed to be a housebreaking tool, not a life long thing.

I will always crate my boxers if I'm not at home, I would be too worried about the damage they could do.