dogs knocking things down and eating/chewing on things

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dogs knocking things down and eating/chewing on things

Posted : 8/31/2006 7:39:28 PM

I have two dogs, they are both mutts, but one has jack russel in her and the other one has part lab in her (she looks like a 40 lb. black lab) and she definitely has the lab instinct of chewing and licking contstantly and etc. They both are good dogs and mean well, but I can never figure out why they do it and then i can't stop the behavior. Sometimes I will be gone for 4 hours and they haven't touched a thing and then sometimes I am gone for 30 minutes and they've chewed up everything that they can possibly knock down.

I put everything away when I leave, but they will usually just try to find something somewhere else, like on the counter, or by knocking things off book shelves. Is there anyway that I can teach them what is their toys and what is not. I have two rubber toys and bones for them, but they sometimes just seem to be in a destructive mood. Any tips besides putting stuff away?

houndlove

Posted : 9/1/2006 8:36:03 AM

This sounds like a situation for crate-training or confinement to one heavily dog-proofed special room. Your dogs behavior really isn't any different from the behavior of most dogs given the chance to have some good chewy fun while their owner is away. My dogs would do it too if they had the opportunity.

The only way to get dogs to not do something while you aren't there to correct or redirect is to remove the possibility completely. Since they seem so wiley about getting things down that you've put up, that would say to me time for a crate or other confinement. I'd be concerned about their safety too. If they're getting in to things, there may be something in the house that is harmful to them that they may get in to at some point.

probe1957

Posted : 9/1/2006 9:37:17 AM

I agree with houndlove. Crate the dogs when you leave.