Serial Chewer!!

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XmisshorsestyleX

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My 9 month old lab puppy (well not so much a puppy anymore) has recently started chewing everything in sight when he is left on his own for a couple of hours a day. Hes never left for more than 4 hours max and this has always been his routine so nothing has changed. My mum leaves for work around 10am shes got at roughly 1pm for lunch, then goes back out to work 2-3pm and shes usually back again for 5pm. When she does come back for lunch, hes usually ripped the post to bits and chewed anything he can get his paws on. We are careful to remove anything he can rip to pieces and now he has started chewing the furniture, which isnt a funny matter
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I think he does it because hes very attached to my mum, and hates it when she isnt there. The other day, she went out to the garage to find something and i walked down the stairs and he was stood on the dining room table, scratching it and whinging! she had only been gone 5mins.

So suggestions anyone please!! Hes a lovely dog when there is people around just a monster when his alone. He gets walked a minimum of twice a day for at least an hour each time.


Please help!!!
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I'd get a big pen/cage and put him in that when you went out until he's used to being on his own then you can try leaving him out again (or in, it doesnt bother them!) as long as he's got enough toys he will be fine
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We do have a cage that we used when he was younger, only problem with using it is not being able to leave him with water and he would wreck the bowl and spill it everywhere. Also if we put bedding in there that would be demolished!
 
Sounds like he has separation anxiety... and that the destruction is a side effect of that?

I'm guessing that leaving him with a kong (stuffed full of food) might not be enough to stop the destruction...

maybe try reading this

I guess might also help to keep him in just one room when you out? Or do you already do that?

Hope you manage to sort it out
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Has anyone been at home more recently for longer periods....hence they are gone no and he has become destructive.....I would also crate him.....u can get little holders that fit to the inside of the crate to place the water bowl in to stop them chewing.......u need to get him used to being in a designated room whilst u are in the home try getting a baby gate for the kitchen....so he can see that u are still around....when u go into the room dont make a fuss...just get on with your routine...make a cuppa etc, this way he will get used to the fact that he is not lavished with affection and attention everytime someone is at home.
Also try leaving the radio on...so he cant hear u leave or come home, do this when u re in the house too.

U wont need the crate forever....just until u get him back ito a routine....it just helps him get used to being in a space without causng destruction.....leave some long lasing chews.
Dont over praise when u arrive home...just let him straight out to the garden...then let him back in without making a big deal...this way he does not assosiate u coming home with a big fuss...hence anticipating your arrival.
Not all cases of destruction are related to anxiety....some is just plain boredom and other times it just being left unsupervised...much the same as dogs wrecking the garden when u are sitting in the house or ripping something up when u are sitting a few inches away.

I would also crate him for bed time and other short periods...so he does not assosiate the crate with u leaving all the time....give him his meals in it to make the assosiation a pleasant one.
 
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