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Preventing chewing

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  • Terry's Blondie
    • Bronze

    Preventing chewing

    Terry's Blondie

    Posted : 12/3/2007 2:27:50 PM

    Blondie is my 10-month old yellow lab.  She is a sweetheart, but she does have one maddening problem -- chewing stuff she shouldn't, like areas of the carpeting and an old stuffed chair.  I've tried all the sprays, and they work temporarily, but she will eventually go back.  She has toys, chewies and rawhides which satisfy her for the most part, but if your back is turned, there's a chance she'll go after them.  There are literally areas of the carpet that are gone (it's not even the carpet she wants, it's the padding underneath!), and a lot of the stuffing is out of the chair.  Any ideas??  Help!!
  • FourIsCompany
    • Gold Top Dog
    FourIsCompany

    Posted : 12/3/2007 2:48:30 PM

    Many dogs chew inappropriate things out of boredom and/or because they don't get enough exercise. What is Blondie's day like and how much exercise does she get?

  • Terry's Blondie
    • Bronze
    Terry's Blondie

    Posted : 12/3/2007 5:02:53 PM

    She has company all day long.  My brother takes care of (and plays with) her.  She and I take a long walk every night (2 miles or more), regardless of the temperature, which she LOVES!!  I thought she might have separation anxiety, but she really loves my brother too, so I don't think that's it.  She is really good as gold in every other way.  It's bizarre.
  • spiritdogs
    • Gold Top Dog
    spiritdogs

    Posted : 12/3/2007 5:16:27 PM

     At that age, she is right in the middle of her second chewing stage - she can't help it, it's part of normal development when dogs set their teeth into the jawbone.  Labs are late-maturing relatively speaking, and some of them chew until they are 15 months to 24 months of age. (I know you didn't want to hear that LOL).  Anyway, the solution is to watch her when she is free in the house, confine her when you can't watch her, and wait.

    If you manage her, and crate or confine her to a safe area when you aren't there, she should eventually stop, but if you continue to let her "snack" on the carpet, she may decide that it's an acceptable chew object.  Not what you want.  (For some reason, there are dogs that seem really attracted to carpet padding and wallpaper, of all things)