destructive dog

[sarah19j]

can anyone help me.i have a 15 month old doberman cross who wen we go out chews and eats any thing he can get to.he is as good as gold when you are there.even if you only leave the house for an hour you come back and he has wrecked the place and weed.i have tried giving him kongs and bones and toys.i had brand new carpet january and that has been shreaded in the bedroom.i have also tried putting nailvarnish remover on certain things but that still hasnt worked.I NEED HELP

[woofgang]

the two likeliest causes are boredom, possibly plus insufficient exercise an separation anxiety.

Dogs are pack animals and have to be taught to spend time on their own. Here's a helpful website

http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/3SEPANX.HTM

Can't help that also he's in his terrible teens!

[waterhouse]

hi there, ive had the same trouble with my dog.

i was advised to go to the local pet shop and you can get some spray to put on things where you dont want your dog to go on. it really does help, and its not expensive and it is totally harmless.

also you could try getting him lots of toys, and give him plenty of attention.

hope this helps, good luck!

[shaneystar]

Bitter Bite is the stuff you want .Which may help stop the chewing.Otherwise woofgangs advice is excellent.

[Emily Ball]

If he really is as destructive as you say, perhaps for the times you have to leave him alone in the house a muzzle would be the best answer. There are various types you can buy and at least it would give you peace of mind while you are out.

[drgnrdr]

Please do not leave a muzzle on your dog when left alone, over heating and his "panic" response if he is suffering from sep. anx. will not make it better. It's like putting a band aid on a gaping wound. It may work for some but dogs are not clones they all are different, and yours may have trouble if a muzzle is left on. The suggestions given by woofgang and shaneystar is your best bet. Is he chewing at areas you depart at? or just normal teenager destruction ( dogs are teenagers until they are 2-3 yrs old). Most toys are interactive (thye need another to play with), he needs busy toys (bustercube, kong, hide a treat type toys) and lots of heart pumping exercise before you put him in his area for the duration of your absence. Bored dogs are dangerous, tired dogs are angels.

Sorry Emily- I was worried if she put a muzzle on him he may end up in distress, it may work for some but not all. If it has worked for you in the past, good thinking. But I have seen what has happened when they were left on others. No disrespect intended. Good luck sarah19j, let us know how it goes.

[Emily Ball]

No offence taken drgnrdr. I use a muzzle on my dog if I have to leave him in the house for a short while as he has been known to chew more than a few precious objects! He is absolutely fine with it and shows no reluctance at all to having it put on and he just curls up on his bed and goes to sleep . The basket type of muzzle allows the dog to open his mouth and pant but prevents him picking up things to have a good chew on. I suggested it because sarah19j is  concerned about the havoc her pooch can wreak while she is away from the house.

[Eels]

I'd suggest a combination of increasing his exercise (a dog of this breeding will need plenty (like, hours) of vigorous exercise several times a day, offlead if possible), and crate-training him.  Decent crates can be bought for under �100 on eBay and if you gradually train him that it's a safe place which he can go to anytime he wants peace and quiet then you can start leaving him in there when you go out.  Make it attractive - comfy bed (old duvets are good), feed him in there, always give a treat for going in, leave the door open when you're home so he can go in of his own accord.  Start by leaving him in it for very short periods and then gradually increase the time.  Then you have somewhere for him to be when you are out, where he's happy and where you know he can't wreck stuff.  And have a think about how long you are leaving him for - is it too much to ask of a young dog to patiently wait for several hours alone?  Maybe even a dog-walker or -sitter service would be an investment in his wellbeing.

[sarah19j]

Thanx for everyones help i think i am going to see how he gets on with some sprays and new indestructable toys for the moment.he has plenty of execise as we have a huge feild behind our house which he has a good old run about every mornin for 30 mins and in the evening plus he has got our other dog to play with in our garden and spend ages chasing each other.he is only left alone for 2.30 hours in the afternoon whilst i am at work.i dont think i am going to try a muzzle as i am a bit concerned.i pannic enough when i leave him as it is.i am a bit over protective of him hes my baby.

i had himfrom a rescue centre whic he had been since he was 5 months old and they had told me he had been rehomed 4 times and each time they took him back i have had him for 6 months now and i have no intention of taking him back even if he does destroy the place. i have worked in a rescue centre before and i dont want him going back.

if anyone else thinks they might be able to help me please feel free leave a msg or mail me at
thanx again everyone

[Solarjunkie]

Just want to agree with Eels - get a crate!

Think of it as a cave, warm, comfy and safe. Chewing a carpet may be just annoying and expensive - chewing electric cables could be lethal.

 

[WaterBearer]

cannot believe that a muzzle would even be considered on a dog that is left alone, i think its really cruel how is it supposed to get a drink???

sorry emily just woudnt do it....