chewing shoes / bed / pillows when not home

ORIGINAL: doglistener

As I read the OP, the dog is 2 or 3 years old MAYBE...they are not certain of the age. And, it is a LAB and labs tend to hang on to those puppy behaviors for much longer than some other breeds.

Thank you for your permission to crate my dogs. They are, FYI, crated in the very largest crates available and have ample room in the crates for all but turning summersaults, which my dogs don't do anyway. WHEN I go back to work, they will be crated for a maximum of four hours at a time. Knowing that they are safe is worth more to me than your opinion that I'm being cruel. But, I do appreciate your input.

ORIGINAL: glenmar/  

One this dog is adult not a puppy Two I did not give you permission to crate your dogs. I do not give a damn how big the crates are. or whether the dogs can do somersaults

Four hours is too long, and I think it is four hours then a break and another four hours in a small crate that does not have a run or ability to exercise. Why do you want that amount of dogs in crates? whay do you want tjat amount of dogs in that environment?

What do you imagine their life is like locked in that type of situation  every day? my full time job is a behaviourist and obedience trainer that is whatt I do every day,  I am not just a dog owner,

I own 4 dogs but what are you doing with that amount of dogs in crates that is abuse and I do not care how many posts you have done you are clearly inacpable.

Stan

I can understand your frustration. Out of curiosity, has anything changed about your life? Schedule? New people, new animals, or someone having gone OUT of your life? Just curious.

I'm inclined to agree - labs and Border Collies are alike in regards to being late to mature. They say that BC's aren't mature until they have a year under each paw.

Without seeing your dog, and physically being there it is awfully hard to distinguish if this is just a phase, or if it is in fact SA (although I wouldn't rule out that possibility). I think crating can be a great tool - depending on the situation (which obviously for Glenda, myself, and many others it is). Since you do work 10 mins from home, it would make the crate training process easier (if you decide to go that route) - and it would be easier to check up on his progress during the day. I would start with VERY short periods by the way.

At any rate - what all are you doing with the dog when you are home? Tell me a little about what your evenings and mornings look like. Also, are you leaving acceptable chew toys for the dog while you're gone?

Another thing I'd like to point out - you've only had this dog for a month and a half. It usually takes a rescue dog two (sometimes more) months or so to settle into a new home. After the initial honeymoon phase is over, you may have some craziness pop up... and then many times it wanes and settles into normal.

Question. Since you come home at lunch, is the dog doing the damage before, or after lunch? Just curious. Also, does he tear things up when you, say, go out to dinner? Does there seem to be a certain "time threashold" in there? What do you guys do when you come home for lunch?

Ummm, Stan?  I'm not particularly concerned with WHAT your opinion is of how my dogs are treated.  If I want TWENTY, then I'll have twenty, and if I choose to keep them SAFE in crates when I'm away, then that's what I'll do.  I've known many firefighters who's hearts were hurting because they HAD to use the fire ax on a dog to save the children........

Doglistener- Glenda is home with her dogs, she said that they will be crated when she goes back to work.Why are you swearing? This topic is by no means worth getting upset about.[]

ORIGINAL: dogslyfe

Another thing I'd like to point out - you've only had this dog for a month and a half. It usually takes a rescue dog two (sometimes more) months or so to settle into a new home. After the initial honeymoon phase is over, you may have some craziness pop up... and then many times it wanes and settles into normal.

Question. Since you come home at lunch, is the dog doing the damage before, or after lunch? Just curious. Also, does he tear things up when you, say, go out to dinner? Does there seem to be a certain "time threashold" in there? What do you guys do when you come home for lunch?

 
I must ask the question ?
 
Have you any idea what happens with dogs when we leave them alone? Could you tell me how long the honeymoon period is? and could you possibilly tell me if the dog is 2/3 what you are mentioning one year between each paw?
 
Stan

ORIGINAL: dogslyfe

Another thing I'd like to point out - you've only had this dog for a month and a half. It usually takes a rescue dog two (sometimes more) months or so to settle into a new home. After the initial honeymoon phase is over, you may have some craziness pop up... and then many times it wanes and settles into normal.

Question. Since you come home at lunch, is the dog doing the damage before, or after lunch? Just curious. Also, does he tear things up when you, say, go out to dinner? Does there seem to be a certain "time threashold" in there? What do you guys do when you come home for lunch?

 
It takes a rescue dog a maximum of three weeks to understand the new home. It rarely wanes  and settles into normal. What you see is what you get after between three or four weeks where do you people get your information from?
 
I do not think you understan ST it is always in the first hour that ST is happening they settle down after that time. I am amazed thst people think it is acceptable to inprison their pets for the majority of their day in a small space and think that they can come home for half an hour in a 8 hour day and that is sufficient. My personal belief is get a goldfish it will not be  traumatised by your absence.
 
Stan

ORIGINAL: tiffy

Doglistener- Glenda is home with her dogs, she said that they will be crated when she goes back to work.Why are you swearing? This topic is by no means worth getting upset about.[]

What are you talking about I have not sworn and  who is Glenda?

If you have difficulty reading the posts then perhaps you may wish to consider whether you should answer?

Stan

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Ummm, Stan?  I'm not particularly concerned with WHAT your opinion is of how my dogs are treated.  If I want TWENTY, then I'll have twenty, and if I choose to keep them SAFE in crates when I'm away, then that's what I'll do.  I've known many firefighters who's hearts were hurting because they HAD to use the fire ax on a dog to save the children......
 
What is the firefighter rubbish are you trying to assuage the fact you leave your dogs in small crates IN CASE YOU HAVE A FIRE. are you deranged. it not not a case of safe it is a case of abuse if you want that amount of dogs then give them the space and treatment they need not locked in cages all day that is classed as abuse in my country and you would rightfully be reported to the RSPCA and your dogs taken away.
 
Stan

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Ummm, Stan?  I'm not particularly concerned with WHAT your opinion is of how my dogs are treated.  If I want TWENTY, then I'll have twenty, and if I choose to keep them SAFE in crates when I'm away, then that's what I'll do.  I've known many firefighters who's hearts were hurting because they HAD to use the fire ax on a dog to save the children......

What is the firefighter rubbish are you trying to assuage the fact you leave your dogs in small crates IN CASE YOU HAVE A FIRE. . if you want that amount of dogs then give them the space and freedom they need,

Not locked in cages all day that is classed as abuse in my country and you would rightfully be reported to the RSPCA and your dogs taken away. I am aware we have different views in the UK from the USA for instance we frown on check and prong collars and are trying to have electric collars banned. We have banned certain breeds like Pitbulls and Tosa's and we certainly are against cahes dogs on a daily basis. You may feel it is acceptable I certainly do not.

Stan

I will share with my dogs, three of whom are rescues and would be dead without us, that they are being abused.  I doubt that they will agree with you.
 
I'm sorry for your fellow countrymen that your nation has chosen to ban some really great dogs. itties can be absolutely wonderful animals.  Crates or no crates, this is a PEOPLE problem, not a problem with the dog.  It's a problem with fools breeding not the right dogs and fools not training them properly.  While I personally don't like chokers or e collars, all tools have a use, if used properly.  But, like anything, there is potential for abuse with any tool, including the family car.
 
In that I am home 95% of the time, I doubt that my dogs suffer terribly in their tiny little crates...the ones that are 34" high by 48" deep.  But, I remember you from your last visit to our forum, and won't waste my time with you.
 
To the OP, from EVERYTHING I have heard about labs, they remain puppyish for a very long time.  And that puppy behavior can include chewing on any and everything.  I don't believe you are dealing with SA in this instance, it sounds more to be like a bored animal finding things to do.  In my experience with fosters, they rarely "settle into the routine" quickly.  There IS a honeymoon period that can last as long as 3 months, during which time you are lulled into thinking what a perfect dog you picked, then hit over the head with his "misbehavior" once he feels safe and comfortable and pretty darned sure that you're going to let him STAY.  When they truely feel safe is when you'll see their true colors.
 
The best thing you can do for your dog and for your house, is to either select a large crate for him, or confine him to a room that has been completely doggie proofed when you are gone.  Some dogs tho will chew baseboards, eat holes in carpeting, etc and there is just so much that you can remove from a room.  This is why I prefer the large crates....the only thing IN a crate is what I choose to put in one.  A frozen stuffed kong is a great thing to leave in the crate because it takes a LOT of work to get the stuff out of the kong, it entertains the dog, and tires him at least mentally.    Since he's a chewer, look into the really HARD rubber toys for him as well, so he has a safe something to chew on in the crate or room.  And do try to get him out for a really good romp before you have to leave in the morning so that he's good and tired.  It's hard to be destructive when your tongue is lolling on the floor.  This time is an adjustment for BOTH of you.  Be patient, be clear in your expectations and confine him in one way or another and you'll be thrilled with your future together!

hertelbrian, you still with us out there?

In my experience with fosters, they rarely "settle into the routine" quickly. There IS a honeymoon period that can last as long as 3 months, during which time you are lulled into thinking what a perfect dog you picked, then hit over the head with his "misbehavior" once he feels safe and comfortable and pretty darned sure that you're going to let him STAY. When they truely feel safe is when you'll see their true colors.

My experience has been the same. Thank you Glenda for putting it more succinctly.

Whew!! I saw me quoted in the notification and thought I was gonna get blasted again!! []

Can you share with us how to distinguish whether chewing behavior is seperation anxiety, boredom, or lack of maturity? What factors about the OP's situation point you towards SA? Why the hostility?

To the OP - you may want to try confinement in a room other than the bedroom - such as gating in the kitchen. Another option would be an Ex-Pen as opposed to an entire room? If you get a large enough Ex-Pen, it would have room for a dog bed, toys, and a little playing room for the dog, but yet restrict access to bedding, shoes, etc. You may also want to consider use of a DAP diffuser - that is Dog Appeasing Pheromone diffuser. It is a plug-in, sort of like a glade plug in, and it emits pheromones similar to those of a Mama dog while nursing her puppies. I've found these to be quite useful with one of my dogs who is thunderphobic.