On the verge (long, sorry)

[Penni K]

I could really use some help from you guys! I have two boxers, both are neutered males. Max will be 2 the end of October, the other (Odi) is 10 months. They get along great, so that's not the problem. The problem is that the younger one has become very destructive. He digs. He has chewed through the power cord to our outdoor air conditioner 3 times! (Luckily it's just the power to turn the fan, no problem with the voltage, it seems). We bought a mini van to take the dogs more places (they love to ride in the car), but the first time we took them, Odi chewed up some of the carpet in the back. He had toys to play with, the other dog, and a window to look and sniff out of. Then, just 2 days ago, I took a small rug outside to shake and clean it, the phone rang, and not 5 minutes later it was a RAG rug, if you get my drift. We have tried everything we can think of to impress on Odi the error of his ways. My husband wants him to GO! The other dog is great. What should I do! Is he bored? Teenage stuff? I really like this guy, but I can't afford to keep fixing or replacing the stuff he destroys. I guess I should be glad it hasn't been a couch or something! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Vela]

Well I feel for your situation, as i also had a destructo dog, but he has recently outgrown that for the most part except occasional digging, but only where it's dirt, not the yard. The thing is, you gusy are responsible to teach him and help him. You agreed to take him in and can't just give up on him because he has undesireable habits. Get him a crate, keep him in it when gone or in the car. Have a place he can be that is blocked off with baby gates that you have made a safe environment. Bury the cooler cord or tack it up off the ground where he can't get to it. He is going through his teenage (terribe two) months and this occurs with most boxers. There are things you can do to ensure his safety and the safety of your belongings short of giving him up. You can't give away kids when they destroy things and having taken him in as part of your family it should be your responsibility to do the same with him. Keep him with you in the room at all times. Next time bring the rug in with you to answer the phone. Yes it's a big pain in the butt, been there and done it but my boy (now 16 months) has free roam of the house with the doors closed and doesn't destroy anything. Don't give up on him yet please, just try to be more vigilant. You can also put dog poo in the holes he digs to deter him or set up a plce he can dig and whenever he digs in the wrong place take him to the right place and show him where he is allowed to dig. I did this with mine, made him his own digging spot and thats the only place he digs. Good luck and I hopehe outgrows it as well.

 

[lafsalot]

You can get some info at this site: http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/destruct.html
Hope this helps - Cathy

 

[Penni K]

Another chance

I thought long and hard about my situation after reading everything I could on this website about teenager problems. I sat down with my son last night and we made a plan on giving Odi some special attention. We will be walking him every morning before we leave, to help tire him out and get him more exercise. We also will not leave him alone in the yard for a time, this is to catch him doing his digging and destroying and correcting the behavior. We are planning on doing what's necessary to get this undercontrol and correct the unwanted behavior (hopefully with patience and consistency). My son is very excited because we decided to work on the problem and not just get rid of Odi. My husband is wary, but fully supportive of our efforts. Pray that we have the skills and patience to see this through. I love my boys and don't want to break up a really good team. I decided that Odi's problems are most likely my being lazy and not training him properly. So we start over and reinforce the good stuff and correct the bad stuff.

 

[lafsalot]

So glad that you have decided to work with Odi. Good luck and do keep us posted - Cathy

 

[Simba's Clan]

Correcting destructive behavior

Our one year, whole male ahs also had some mild episodes. He pulled our SatTV cable off the house, eaten a few shrubs and dug. We tried a few different sprays/repellants from the pet store. That worked with some limited success. However, we switched to cayenne pepper and that really cut it out. I also find that the more time he spends alone outside seems to increase the problem. Therefore we try to limit this as well as provide as many toys as possible --- keep him occupied. He now recognizes the smell of the cayenne and will not go near an area that we have treated. All natural and it washes away with a good rain!

 

[Vela]

Hey yes I forgot about that cayenne pepper! My boy was literally chewing off the steps on my back porch. He ate the wood and chewed it off in big chunks. We painted it with caynne pepper mixed with wter to make a paste. YOu can also mix some with water in a spary bottle and spray the things like the cooler cord to prevent him from eating it. One taste should deter him. Put it on anything you are able to to help prevent his chewing. Thanks for reminding me Simba's clan.

I am really happy to see you are going to try hard with him. It will take time but I know how you feel. My boy destroyed so much stuff ( and some very expensive) i couldnt beleive it, and im home with him all day! Thankfully he grew out of it but it does take time and patience. I sure do wish you good luck!

Also I wanted to commend you on the fact that you didn't take offence to anything suggested and realized that as the owner/trainer it is up to you to make the difference. I wish more people would do the same as you and realize it's sometimes difficult for a time but with patience and consistency they CAN learn not to do those things and become a pleasure to have.