chewing on everything

[pattersonjacob]

Hello everyone I have a year and half old sheltie name Beau. When I first got him when he was a puppy he chewed on things that's what puppies do I would say no to him every time that happen. Beau was doing really good on chewing things until as of the last couple of weeks. Last night he chewed up remote to the tv he chewed up power cord to lamp, and he chewed on the wall all within few weeks. I have plenty of toys for him to play with. I work 3rd shift lately I have been working a lot of over time. Am I working too much? or maybe should I get a kennel for him while I'm at work although I don't want to leave him in a kennel for 8-10 hours. I'm really frustrated not sure what to do any help would be great thanks.

 

[trini]

Welcome to SN.

It sounds like your Beau may be as frustrated as you are...8-10 hours is a long time for a dog, esp a young, intelligent, active breed, to be left alone with no contact with their person and no mental or physical stimulation. Is there anyone you trust who you could hire to drop through and either take Beau out for a walk or stay and play with him for a while to break up that long time period? My concern with crating him for that long is that it will only increase his frustration/anxiety and you may end up dealing with even worse behavioral issues.

Trini

 

[tofu pup]

When I read your post, I scanned it right away to find your dog's age - 18 months! Congratulations, your Sheltie is an adolescent. Pushing boundaries, "forgetting" manners, and general space-cadet behavior are typical for this age. And the great news is that, given time, he will grow out of it!

In the meantime, though, you need to keep both your dog and your house safe. The first step is to make sure that you are giving Beau enough mental and physical exercise: can you add some time to his daily walks or indoor games of fetch? How about training sessions? You don't necessarily need to sign up for a class, but one or two fifteen-minute sessions of trick training each day can make a big difference in tiring that busy brain.

The second step is containment. Crating would work, but you can definitely think outside the crate: is there a room in your house with few chew-able objects (like the kitchen) that you can contain him in using a baby gate? You can set him up there with his toys and a bed, and he will have plenty of room to stretch out (and fewer opportunities to make trouble). You can also look into getting an x-pen (basically a play-pen for dogs); this would be bigger than a kennel, but would still keep him contained in a safe area.

Again, he will grow out of this and you will get your obedient puppy back... you just need to exercise, contain, and manage your way through his "teenager" phase.

 

[tesslynn]

frustrated and bored

my guess is he is just trying to find something entertaining to do in your absence. I wouldn't crate, but I would contain. I do that when I leave my lil monsters. They only have access to areas that don't really contain anything chewable. Right now I keep them in a foyer/kitchen area. It is tiled so if there is an accident it wouldn't damage (it has throw rugs by the exit door) and nothing chewable -cabinets, appliances, doors. But I leave open crates with toys inside and hidden treats. So far this has done well for them. I come home to evidence of play but nothing ruined which is the goal.

are you walking before you leave, so energy levels aren't high...I do that as well, a good walk, run or romp does wonders to curb wrong behaviors when left long periods of time. If they are exercised and know you won't be home, they do better with absence is my experience. I also leave a radio on, I found that Savannah won't howl if I do that. The combo of soft music and occasional human voices, soothes her greatly.

good luck

 

[BarbV]

Just when I thought my 18 month old Timber was safe, he chewed both of sofas's apart! That was many years ago.

I've learned my lesson. Callan, who is 22 months old, I still contain him in an xpen when I'm not home.

You will know when its ok to let them loose when you no longer see toys chewed into bits.

My 7 year Indy......never a chewer. You just have to know your dogs.