Eight month pup

[Ladybird50]

 My daughter and partner bought a collie pup.They both work but have someone go to the house to let the dog out a couple of times a day.He gets a good walk in the morning and after theve finished work as well.Hes chewing anything he can as soon as their backs are turned, hes chewed anything from sponge to satsumas-{which were on the work surface in the kitchen} so he can jump up then ! {the little sod} Any tips ? my daughter was in floods of tears because her partner cant cope with the destruction anymore and wants to sell him.

[shaneystar]

He is probably suffering from separation anxiety.He is only a pup after all..would you go out and leave an eight month old baby alone in the house?Collies need a lot of stimulation and attention,and training. They make lovely obedient dogs if you commit yourself to this. Collies always like to be doing something,fetching and retrieving.Hide and seek games.They are working dogs after all said and done. Bitter bite might solve the chewing problem but what he really needs is more attentionand training.Quite frankly he needs another walk during the day.Letting him out a couple of times is not enough.Do they not have a friend or neighbour or family member who can spare him some time.If I was working all day every day I wouldn't dream of keeping a dog.

[woofgang]

Oh dear. I am sure that you will get collie owners posting, but in the mean time here are some thoughts, I have a friend now living in Wales who competes in obedience with collies and runs a dog training club, so I know a bit about this albeit not first hand ( I have a weimaraner, nearly as demanding but not quite....oh the tales I could tell you!!)

. Even non working stock collies are working dogs and get bored VERY easily. As your daughter has seen, the devil finds work for idle paws and teeth. Essentially you have there a dog whose natural instincts are to be outside working, concentrating hard and running fast ALL DAY...and a long day at that

If your folks are going to keep this dog, they will need to find ways to give him the stimulation that he needs and the mental and physical exercise. He is still a baby and has his terrible teens to go through yet!!!

Even with "let outs" all day is a long time for a puppy of any breed to stay alone. He could of course go in a crate for part (not all) of the day, but that won't help his need for exercise and stimulation and can result in a neurotic dog who licks or chews himself to relieve his stress. IMHO a cruel solution.

In an ideal world and if it could be found, a new more appropriate home for the little chap might be the best solution all round, however this may not be an ideal world. My best suggestion is to find a good dog trainer in your area. A good place to start is at your vets, they tend to have that kind of info. Make the morning walk as long and tiring as possible and work in plenty of mental exercise. Get the "let out" person also to do training exercises with the dog, make him focus, make him really stretch himself so that mentally he becomes tired and ready to kip again. Can he be left in one dog proofed room with a bed, water and toys so that his ability to do damage is limited (Please don't shut him out in the garden!)

[woofgang]

part 2

Finally it might be worth asking your vet about a dog appeasing pheromone diffuser which can help to relieve stress and relax the dog.

No offense but I would like to paraphrase the famous slogan "A dog is for 24/7, not just evenings and weekends!"

Hi shaneystar, cross post!

[maggie01]

what about one of those I think they are called Kongs or something. You put bits of dried food in a ball and he has to play with it to get the pieces out. Not sure how long it would take him. Having two dogs myself although they are shih-tzus, I have to agree that working full time and dogs just do not go together even if you do have someone come in during the day. I do hope they find a happy solution.