destructive behaviour

[madwoman6638]

i was wondering if anyone can help with my problem. i have 2 dogs,15mths and 20 mths. we had no problems with the first dog, but, when we got the second dog the problems started. when i leave the dogs, to take my little boy to school, they destroy anything they can get hold of. i do not like cages and will not use them. i have trained them well with a clicker but the behaviour is getting worse, to the extent of destroying coats while trying to get them down from the coat hook. they are always left with their toys and each others company..... any suggestion?? PLEASE

[lankeela]

Why do you not like cages and say you will not use them?

I would have thought they would be the ideal solution to your problem as you can then prevent the destructive behaviour instantly and control the dogs while you get the coats down, and if you are only going to take the kids to school they would be ok left for that short while. Even if you are taking the dogs out, you could get ready while they are in the cages, and then get them out one at a time and put their leads on.

The problem is you are not there to do anything about it, so you are in a way letting the dogs think it is ok to do.

[madwoman6638]

i do not have room for cages in my hallway. i have 2 large dogs and not enough hallway.

[lankeela]

Get fold flat ones and only put them up in your kitchen when you are not there.

[divegirl]

Hi, with regard to using cages.... What is worse? You coming home and being upset with the dogs for any damage they have caused or leaving them in a safe environment and knowing there will be no mess.... ergo you will be pleased to see them! I use a cage when we have puppies in the house and to be honest it is a God send! At the end of the day there will always be times when we have to leave our dogs to their own devices! if you can not use or do not have the space for a cage then what about a 'safe' area that you can fence off using a 'baby gate'.... kitchen, hallway will do.

Lisa x

[madwoman6638]

we thought we had created a "safe" place. they are confined to the hallway,

[poopy]

your dog will see the cage as his own special/private place. we used a cage for our dog n he loves it. its his space, the cage door is always open now and he always goes in it to get away and go for a good kip or to burry his toys and stuff!! other than that its 2 muzzles to stop their behaviour.