Help and advice needed.

[Roxal]

We have a 9 month old Alsatian puppy who has recently (past three months) taken a liking to the flavour of lino. We have replaced the kitchen floor twice now and the newest was only laid yesterday. Overnight he has pulled up the corner and chewed a large chunk. He has also begun to chew furniture, walls, candles or anything he randomly wants to. It almost always happens at night when nobody is downstairs with him (he can be left alone during the day for a few hours and nothing normally happens) and we never catch him in the act. He never makes a sound when he does this I.e no barking for attention etc... He has chew toys, toys requiring him to work to get treats, soft toys and rawhide bones. He gets frequent walks and play time (often through a forest walk where he gets to run and chase a ball) however, it's sometimes the worst destruction after a day of walking and play/attention. We have started to use an anti chew spray but obviously this was not enough for the lino. Has anyone used the spray before and is it effective. We have done some reading on seperation anxiety and he does match a lot of the symptoms, could anyone recommend anything to help? Do soft chew muzzles work? Are they safe for a number of hours over night? Would crating be a last option or should we consider it now?
Any advice is greatly welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Bosworth]

crating is a great option, and I would start immediately. Cayla has a help sheet on how to do it, and dogs normally react very well to crating. It is far far more humane than a spray or a muzzle. it is not simply a question of shoving him in the crate and leaving him to it, you have to work at it, and make it a desirable place to be.

 

[kimberleigh]

Crate training is a must for all dogs imo and works brilliantly if done correctly

Like all training it isn't just a quick fix of shut the dog in the cage - if done properly dogs love their crates and see them as safe dens

I would start today, as this problem will not only continue but get worse if left

Good luck

Kim

 

[MurphysMinder]

Crating should be a first option not a last. It may take a little longer as he is older, and you will need a pretty large cage for a 9 month old German shepherd.
My pup started in her crate at 8 weeks, and at 6 months she loves it (a bigger version now), and will happily lie in it whenever she is in the room, unless her mother gets their first.
As Bosworth says, Cayla's crate training guide is very good, drop her a pm and I am sure she will send you one. (I am not allowed to say she would appreciate a donation to Adopt a dog in return).
Oh, and of course we need pictures of said puppy.

 

[Suelin]

Crating would be my option as well.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Crate him and make sure he is mentally exhausted during the daytime - he is a pup so his limbs are still developing - walking too much will not tire him out but it may cause him joint problems later down the line.
German Shepherds are a working breed and need to be mentally stimulated, give him a job to do....I am just back from training...my dog will probably not make a peep until tomorrow lunchtime. He has been crated since he was a puppy and still sleeps in his at night (20 months).

Do you know his lines?