Dog Community

Need help with destructive behavior...

Posted : 12/13/2006 10:35:15 PM

Hi everyone,

My recently (3 weeks ago) adopted Chow/Golden mix (about 1 year old) is exhibiting destructive behavior again...

When we first brought her home from the pound, she trashed the molding next to the door of her bedroom (where we leave her when we are not home). She is never left inside her room for more than 4 or 5 hours. After trashing the molding on the second day at home, we started some of the strategies that I have read about for dealing with this issue (low-key entries and exits, bringing treats when coming home, hanging out and lounging in her room calmly), and we also blocked the door with a large weighted box so she couldn't get to the door.

After a few weeks of success, we stopped blocking the door with a box and thought she had adjusted just fine.

Yesterday she was at it again, this time when we left her in her room in the evening while making a very short appearance at a party. I blocked the door today, and she has figured out a way to scratch above the box!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a course of action? I don't think that negative reinforcement/punishment will work, as she is a very sensitive rescue dog and I am trying to build her confidence and overall happiness!

Thanks!

espencer

Posted : 12/13/2006 10:52:36 PM

NILF program may work, sometimes rescued dogs fel confuse when they get to a new home because they feel there is not a "structure" in the house, they feel that the owners dont have a "plan" for the pack and they dont know if the owners will take control of the "pack" or it should be them the ones to take care of it, maybe he is still waiting for you to do it and if not then he will be the one setting the discipline in the house, NILF will help you to show him that you will be in charge of the house and that you will be the one he should follow, is a really easy program and does not include any punishment

Besides of course of taking him for a walk of at least 45 minutes every day [

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Scout in Canada

Posted : 12/14/2006 7:04:52 AM

Crating her would help a great deal! As long as you start the crating program slowly and positively. You are definitely right that punishment is not going to help her confidence.

[linkhttp://www.awesomedogs.ca/articles-crate-training.htm]http://www.awesomedogs.ca/articles-crate-training.htm[/link]

Here's a handy guide to start crating.

mudpuppy

Posted : 12/14/2006 10:32:48 AM

if you're not there, you can't train. Your only option is to confine and dog-proof to prevent bad habits from forming. X-pens are excellent ways to keep wall-chewers away from the walls and provide some room for movement during confinement.

diane303

Posted : 12/14/2006 11:52:09 AM

You've only had your dog for 3 weeks. It takes about 6 months for a rescue to feel as though it is secure in its new home. Whether it is 5 hours or 5 minutes, when confined and left, your new dog is not sure that you will return. Did you know that most destructive behavior is done within the first 20 minutes of confinement?

The advice that you have gotten so far is simple and effective. Buy a crate or an x-pen for this dog and try to structure it's life within your household. Create rules for it to live by and keep the dog on a consistent schedule so that it can count on certain things happening at certain times. Make it's confined area as pleasant as possible. Practice putting it there for 10 minutes and returning with praise and treats. Crate training your dog is a good thing and can make its confinement at a boarding facility, groomer, or the vet clinic, a far less traumatic event.

Remember, it takes 6 months for this dog to truely call your house its home and bond with you. Be patient and positive.

J M

Posted : 12/14/2006 1:09:49 PM

NILIF link.

http://www.humaneleague.com/Resources/documents/HLLCBuildingaRelationshipwithYourDog.pdf

Katy Harvey

Posted : 12/14/2006 1:44:07 PM

Do you give her anything to keep her occupied while she's in her room? Such as a chew toy, or a Kong stuffed with treats? She may be bored, too.

With the Kong, you can make it last a long time by stuffing it with treats mixed with peanut butter, then freeze it over night so it's ready for you to give her during the day. Dogs will spend hours working on getting the treats out, and with the peanut butter being frozen it will take a while until it softens enough for them to get the treats out. If you do decide to crate train her, use a Kong for that too. Both my dogs LOVE their crates because they always get their Kong to take the treats out of. As soon as I pick up their Kongs and start stuffing them, they RUN to their crates and sit and wait for the Kongs. I can't say enough good things about them.

lindsey

Posted : 12/14/2006 3:44:08 PM

Hello,

Thanks for all the advice. I'm hesitant to crate train, only because I have never done it, nor has anyone I know. But if this continues, I will certainly consider it.

I didn't realize that NILF program had a name, I've been doing that too. I'll keep it up, we have taught her come, sit and down and are working on stay.

I tried the Kong, she just is not treat- or toy- motivated.

This morning I tried putting crushed chamomile flowers in her food and took her for a 30 minute bike ride. She loves to run, and she loves to go bike riding with me. Hopefully that will be a winning combination of tiring her out and chilling her out!

jones

Posted : 12/14/2006 7:22:28 PM

Given her age, this could be normal destructive adolescent chewing. Puppies go through a power-chewing stage from about 8mo-18mo... during that time they should be safely confined when you can't be watching them. Crate training is a great thing - keep your dog safe, happy, and out of trouble. Having a crate trained dog can come in handy many times in life (traveling, boarding, etc). If your pup is already housetrained you can buy as large a crate as you want... they can be expensive, I'd recommend looking ebay for good deals.

Eddie Haskle

Posted : 12/14/2006 7:39:30 PM

Time is needed in this situation. You'll need to spend alot of time in the beginning letting them know you're there and you know what you're doing. Lot's of exercise is a good way to spend time with your dog and it's good for you as well. Try and spend at least an hour a day walking and running with them. Lease training would be ideal during or after the run. Also, I use hot sauce on things I don't want them to chew. Some people don't agree with it but it works for me and I don't have to raise my voice or anything else. They just stay away from anything with the hot sauce smell. Good luck