Ok, I need help before I go crazy...

• 07-24-2007 3:59 PM

  nGoldenm Joined on 01-07-2007 Mississippi Posts 631 Points 0

  Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact This is driving me nuts. [:@] Max has lately developed a very bad habit. He gets into anything and everything he can while I am not at my apartment. Usually, this ends in destruction of whatever he focused his interest on that day. Some examples: The other day, I came back to find that my (brand new $2000) computer was in his sights. He was standing on top ([sm=eek.gif]) of it, and there were claw marks on the top where he had been digging on it. I caught him in the act that time, thank goodness. Not to mention, there was trash EVERYWHERE. But that was partly my fault, I forgot to put the garbage can on top of the refrigerator, the only place I thought he couldn't reach. Then the very next day, I came back to find the trash can on the ground and trash ripped up and strewn everywhere. The thing about it is, the trash can was on top of the refrigerator. I don't have any clue how he got up there. I think that he just kept jumping up toward it until it got knocked off. Then yesterday, I came back to find that he had somehow gotten on top of the counter and grabbed a box of Mr. Clean Magic erasers off of a shelf. He had torn these to pieces by the time I got home. The next day, I came back to find the dishes that had been in my sink before I left, were all over the floor. This could be dangerous if there are any knives in there. Thank goodness there wasn't. But 1 of my ceramic bowls is now in the trash because it was broken into pieces. [:@] There are other instances that are more minor then these. I'm at my wits end. I don't know what to do. I try to put everything up. But naturally, I'm human and I don't think of every possible thing that he could get and put it somewhere that you can only get to with a ladder. I don't have much storage space (or hardly any free space for that matter) so things pretty much have to stay where they are. He never messes with anything while I'm here. I would get a kennel and kennel train him, but I don't have the space for one big enough for him. I try to give him something to do while I'm gone, such as a frozen kong, but it doesn't help. I tried putting him in the bedroom, where there's not much, if anything he can get into. But then he digs and tears up the carpet and floors. All of this just started within the last month. If anybody has any suggestions, I'm open to them. This has to stop. And if you're still reading this incredibly long post, [sm=bravo.gif] and thank you. My other picture was way too big. And I couldn't bring myself to be entirely boring and not have something down here.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 4:03 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,204 Points 300	RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact Do you walk him before you leave? for how long? "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"
  	Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 4:07 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  walking lady Joined on 07-12-2007 Posts 191 Points 0

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact Ok, first how old is Max?  Does he get plenty of exercise?  Because to me he sounds like he's bored and under-stimulated.  The old saying a tired dog is a good dog is pretty true!!  If he already gets a lot of exercise, how about adding more things to his daily routine to work on his mind.  Dogs need to keep their minds active, too, how about some obedience.  If you don't want to go to classes, you don't need to, just you and Max is fine.    Since he doesn't get into anything when you're home, I don't see how you can stop him without putting him in a crate.  Is there any way you can squeeze one in somewhere, even as a temporary measure while you're working on re-training him?  He's in the habit now and you need to break the habit and replace it with something else. [image]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5e50477ef63ae4cdeb62570d23601ebe/e89ec0aa.jpg[/image]

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 4:26 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  nGoldenm Joined on 01-07-2007 Mississippi Posts 631 Points 0

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact ORIGINAL: espencer Do you walk him before you leave? for how long? Yes, I walk him the morning's before I leave. The time varies from day to day. Ina ll honesty though, it's really not long enough. I wish I could do more but 30-40 minutes is all I can do right now. When I get home in the afternoon though, we go out to the field and I let him run around and chase the ball around for a while. Again, it's not for as long as I would like but I've been incredibly busy this summer. I knew I was taking too many hours. [>:] ORIGINAL: walking lady Ok, first how old is Max? Does he get plenty of exercise? Because to me he sounds like he's bored and under-stimulated. The old saying a tired dog is a good dog is pretty true!! If he already gets a lot of exercise, how about adding more things to his daily routine to work on his mind. Dogs need to keep their minds active, too, how about some obedience. If you don't want to go to classes, you don't need to, just you and Max is fine. Since he doesn't get into anything when you're home, I don't see how you can stop him without putting him in a crate. Is there any way you can squeeze one in somewhere, even as a temporary measure while you're working on re-training him? He's in the habit now and you need to break the habit and replace it with something else. Max is somewhere around 3, maybe a little younger and no older then 4. I got him from a rescue so I don't know exactly. He gets exercise. I try to get in the same amount he's always had. Some days I can't, but I do try. He's been fine since I got him, around January. I don't have time to completely wear him out before I leave for school though. We do daily obedience training. He's very good at it. I also try to practice NILIF when I can. As far as the crate, the only place I have that I MIGHT be able to squeeze in a crate big enough, is the bedroom. But it will mean that I won't be able to get to the closet. When I move into my new place I could probably fit it in, I don't know yet. I should be moving sometime this week. The space issue is the main reason why I'm moving. Edited to add: I also have to think about the noise that he's gonna make when I put him in a crate. I put him in one while I was at my parents house once, to keep him out of stuff while we were going to be gone. He barked like mad. I can't have that here. If you get two noise complaints about your dog, my landlord requires that you remove it. I don't want to risk that. My other picture was way too big. And I couldn't bring myself to be entirely boring and not have something down here.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 4:48 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  Ixas_girl Joined on 02-01-2007 Southern California Posts 2,391 Points 550

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact Hi Goldenm, What a frustration! I wish you the best! Here are my thougts: Sounds like it was a little problem that got a lot worse. Maybe some quality touch time, like a massage, might be good. If you've had a busy school term, maybe he's just feeling really lonely and some healing touch would nurture him. Maybe a weekend day at the beach/in the woods would do a lot to raise his spirits, too. Can you use your 30-40 minutes in the morning to do something more tiring than a walk? Perhaps a run, bike ride, or playing catch? You can think of a bathroom like a large crate. Can you put him in there when you're gone? When I go out for more than a couple of hours, I leave kibble scattered around the house for Ixa to hunt and find. It's always all gone, so she does take the time to hunt it out. You could even skip his breakfast to encourage him to seek it out. Put the kibble in paper bags or cardboard boxes, and let him hunt and "kill" it. I have friends who leave empty cardboard boxes around to be the target of chewing and shredding - you can smear a little something yummy to make it more attractive. On a lighter note ... maybe he's giving you some tough love lessons about keeping your apartment cleaner! [] ETA: There's a thread in General Chat right now that might help, called " Lab eating/chewing everything in the house":http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=407042 http://dogandgirl.blogspot.com/ You're Good Enough, You're Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like You! ~ Stuart Smalley ~~~ Mary Poppins: I never explain anything.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 4:53 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 6,759 Points 360

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact My younger lab was a rescue too, so we really didn't know for sure how old she was but the vet guessed 2ish.  For about the first year, she was just like Max.  She chewed up everything she could get to.  We even have another dog, but that apparently wasn't entertaining enough. We started using bitter apple (don't waste your money), putting things away, etc. I know how frustrating it is.  I mean you can't put the water heater away so they don't chew the blanket around it [8|].  She did outgrow the phase though, so don't give up hope.  In the meantime, continue with the exercise (and increase it when you can), lots of kong or chew toys, and literally patrol before you leave everyday.  It's a hassle, but it'll become a habit to put everything you can away. If it's really precious...take it with you, but honestly it really will get better [] ~ Cathy ~

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 5:03 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 10,137 Points 735

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact http://www.hssc.org/documents/PetTipsPDFs/Dogs%20Dstrctive%20Chewing.pdf Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 5:36 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  nGoldenm Joined on 01-07-2007 Mississippi Posts 631 Points 0

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl Sounds like it was a little problem that got a lot worse. Maybe some quality touch time, like a massage, might be good. If you've had a busy school term, maybe he's just feeling really lonely and some healing touch would nurture him. Maybe a weekend day at the beach/in the woods would do a lot to raise his spirits, too. Can you use your 30-40 minutes in the morning to do something more tiring than a walk? Perhaps a run, bike ride, or playing catch? I agree with you about the being lonely. It makes me feel awful, but it is probably true. I do try and spend as much time as possible with him. If I go anywhere besides school, he comes with me. I'll also try and use that time in the morning to do something more tiring. You can think of a bathroom like a large crate. Can you put him in there when you're gone? Excellent idea. It would be much easier to ensure that there's not anything for him to get into while in there. I'll try it once I move to my new place, since then I'll be separated and in my own building. The barking shouldn't be a problem when I'm there. I'll have to make extra sure that he has plenty to do while in there though. He shut himself in there once while I was gone, and he almost went mad. I came back to find that he had dug at the concrete floor til the stain came off, and he was drenched in spit, or froth I should call it. But I kind of understand that. He accidentally did it, wasn't sure why he had ended up locked in there, had nothing to occupy his time, and it was storming outside. Not a good combination. On a lighter note ... maybe he's giving you some tough love lessons about keeping your apartment cleaner! [sm=lol.gif] I sure know its a mess right now. There's stuff everywhere since I'm getting ready to move, which doesn't help anything. My younger lab was a rescue too, so we really didn't know for sure how old she was but the vet guessed 2ish. For about the first year, she was just like Max. She chewed up everything she could get to. We even have another dog, but that apparently wasn't entertaining enough. We started using bitter apple (don't waste your money), putting things away, etc. I know how frustrating it is. I mean you can't put the water heater away so they don't chew the blanket around it . She did outgrow the phase though, so don't give up hope. In the meantime, continue with the exercise (and increase it when you can), lots of kong or chew toys, and literally patrol before you leave everyday. It's a hassle, but it'll become a habit to put everything you can away. If it's really precious...take it with you, but honestly it really will get better Yeah, the thought has crossed my mind that it could still be the puppy in him. Especially since he never really had a "puppyhood". Being bought as a christmas puppy, and then being relegated to the backyard chained to a doghouse for 2 years doesn't help anything. Thanks for the words of encouragement. My other picture was way too big. And I couldn't bring myself to be entirely boring and not have something down here.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 5:44 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  Ixas_girl Joined on 02-01-2007 Southern California Posts 2,391 Points 550

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact ORIGINAL: nGoldenm You can think of a bathroom like a large crate. Can you put him in there when you're gone? Excellent idea. It would be much easier to ensure that there's not anything for him to get into while in there. I'll try it once I move to my new place, since then I'll be separated and in my own building. The barking shouldn't be a problem when I'm there. It amazes me that you give your guy so much good energy while being a student. [] I can't imagine I'd have been able to pull it off! I don't really know anything about crate training, but it might help to read up on it, especially about introducing the dog to the crate (bathroom). Maybe spend some quality time in the bathroom with him, so he knows it as a happy place, before he gets left alone in there. Oh, and good luck with the move! http://dogandgirl.blogspot.com/ You're Good Enough, You're Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like You! ~ Stuart Smalley ~~~ Mary Poppins: I never explain anything.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 5:47 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  nGoldenm Joined on 01-07-2007 Mississippi Posts 631 Points 0	RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact Oh, he knows it's a good place. It's home to the bottomless water bowl! [sm=lol.gif] He also prefers to lay on the floor in there while I take a shower. My other picture was way too big. And I couldn't bring myself to be entirely boring and not have something down here.
  	Post Points: 0

• 07-24-2007 6:57 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  snooks Joined on 07-18-2007 British Columbia, Canada Posts 34 Points 0

  RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact I feel your pain.  My husband and I adopted a wonderful rottie by the name of Chewie.  He was the nicest dog, but lived up to his name.  at 2 yrs old he still got into everything unless he was dog tired when I left for work.  We resorted to the following things. 45 min brisk walk every morning, no fail.  Food frozen in a kong.  Dog walker in the afternoon.  45 min walk before dinner and another 1/2 hr walk before bed.  NOTHING could be left within his reach. He was confined to the kitchen when no one was home.  Everytime I didn't do one of those things, there was destruction.  Pillows, shoes, garbage, and a couple of dog beds. The saying a tired dog is a good dog couldn't have been truer.

  Post Points: 0

• 07-26-2007 5:11 PM

  In reply to nGoldenm

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330	RE: Ok, I need help before I go crazy... Reply Contact Mentholated Vicks Vapor Rub works much better than Bitter Apple to discourage chewing!  Nasty stuff.      Crate training: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/spt/SPT_Crate_Training_Info.htm http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/crate.htm
  	Filed under: chewing - discourage, crate training Post Points: 0