How to get dog to Stop chewing everything up?!?

In My Humble Opinion
21

If the crate is used this way, as a jail for time-outs, of course the dog will see this as punishment, and the crate as a place to avoid.

You want the dog to consider the crate as his secure place of refuge – the safe place he goes to when he wants to rest, or take a nap, or sleep at night, or just be by himself.

When he misbehaves, you should scold him and send him out of the room – you want him to go to his crate on his own, as his safe place to retreat to and ‘lick his wounds’. That means you never scold him when he’s in his crate. If it’s in the same room and he goes into his crate wile you’re scolding him, you have to stop scolding. (But this is fine – it means he has learned 2 important lessons: 1) I did something wrong, and annoyed my pack leader, and 2) My crate is my safe space to hide out for a while.)

P.S. Why Yelling at barking dogs doesn’t work.
In a dog pack, a dog barks when it sees possible danger (or prey); a nearby dog reinforces this by taking up the barking too, and soon the whole pack is alerted.
When your dog is excited by something, like the mailman walking toward your door, he barks to alert you. And you reinforce this by making loud yelling noises, too. Obviously he has done the right thing by alerting his pack to the dangerous mailman.

Yet somehow the pack leader now seems to be angry at me, for sounding the alarm that he reinforced by also yelling loudly? Something here is very confusing to my poor doggy mind!
Can you see why this is an unclear signal to a dog?

My mother, in her 80’s, had a house dog that would start barking as soon as anyone drove into our farmyard (actually, as soon as they started slowing down on the highway to turn into our quarter-mile driveway). When she did, my mother would just say, in a quiet, calm voice: “OK Jeannie, I know someone is coming. Good girl!”. And the dog would then stop barking, and go wait by the door.

22

Your dog does not have unlimited energy. Even my Border Collie doesn’t. A well-tired dog doesn’t think up trouble. I suggest putting in the time to RUN her for at least an hour before breakfast every day and again in the evening, and see if that has an effect, before trying anything else. An hour is the absolute minimum, and she needs to at least be trotting fast most of that time. My BC can run for two hours easy – I ride a horse and she runs behind – but then she will actually take a (brief) nap.

There are rigs to run dogs from bicycles, among other ideas. You don’t have to run yourself.

By the way, your dog does not feel guilty for chewing things up. She doesn’t even connect your scolding to the things she did in the past, even the very very recent past (like five minutes ago). She is just reacting to your anger with submission and fear. It is totally pointless for you to scold her unless you catch her in the act, which you can’t because you are not there. All it does is make her feel afraid of you.

If it was my dog, I would be setting up a play room for her with NOTHING in it that she could destroy, and LOTS of entertainment for her. I would be exercising her every morning and every evening in controlled but vigorous ways. I would be setting up play dates with compatible dogs – nothing tires out a high-energy dog like playing with another similar dog. And I’d be going to lots of different kinds of dog training events and classes. Goldens love to learn and are naturally obedient. They are naturals for Scent Work, formal Obedience, Agility, Retrieving, you name it.

Many people want their dogs to go into suspended animation while they are at work or asleep. But that’s crazy unrealistic except for the most comatose breeds. You need to invest time in your dog. Believe me it will pay off a thousandfold.

23

I must have comatose dogs. I believe they sleep when I am gone. I had a Rat terrier, smartest dog I ever had, and the naughtiest. I used to record her occasionally and she would lay down right where the camcorder could see her and look at the camera. Nobody believed it until I showed the tapes. I tried to catch her one holiday tearing up Christmas packages and pulling ornaments off, eating needles. Never caught it on film. That was the Christmas of no surprises, all the gifts were all exposed by the energizing Rat terrier who wouldn’t quit.
So, my advise: if she’s not spayed get that done. Put up everything you can, be vigilant. Punish when you catch her. And, wait, wait, wait. She will age out of this. I like the THC treats for a limited time. Good luck

24

It might just be me not being a dog person; but I must say, I can’t quite follow your logic here. How is anything in that sentence connected to another?

25

You don’t understand. To they dog, it sounds like “chews”.

26

Iceblocks with treats inside is an interesting idea, because she Loves ice & loves to work for something. That’s why I invested so much in Kong & other interactive toys, because she likes to be busy. One concern I’ll have to think through is that she has a dog door from the kitchen/family room into the back yard. I can’t block her dog door & confine her outside because the sun is too hot here, nor can I confine her inside because she needs to out to do her business. Plus she loves going in & out through her door. If the iceblock thing is something she could bring in the house, she’d do it. And funny you should ask, but just today I got her whole marrow filled bones at the butcher, which she seems to love. And she would definitely jump out of a playpen. We have a tall fence in our backyard, but she can get over all the dog gates that we’ve had installed in the house–she’s a big athletic girl.

Agree with you on the crate issue. We havent used the crate in a few years, but when we did, it was sort of her den (although she didn’t really like it because she doesn’t seem to like to be alone.

I also want to clarify that she is not a barker. She does bark sometimes when someone (esp the mailman) comes into the yard. But the only time barking was an issue was when she was crated when we were not home (according to neighbors). Otherwise barking is not an issue for her.

Some of your solutions won’t work in our situation due to logistics, house configuration etc, but play dates with compatible dogs is right on the money (and free!). I have a Nextdoor thread going on this and have found other neighbors with similar issues, which might just be the solution. I have a large enclosed yard, which most people in my area do not have. So I’ve set up some ‘meet & greets’ with other high energy neighborhood dogs. When our dog goes to doggy daycare, she is running around wrestling with other dogs, going in the pool (she loves water & swimming) & otherwise behaving like a maniac. When she comes home, she is exhausted, but at $50/day it can only be a once-in-a-while treat. But I’m trying to set something like that up at my home with neighborhood dogs. They would have to be house trained, know how to use a dog door & get along with cats, but if I can find the right dogs, with willing owners with compatible schedules, I think this will work.

She was spayed at 12 months & everyone assured me she would chill out after that. Nope, not even a little bit. And someone on my Nextdoor thread said he only adopts bulldogs because they are the laziest breed around. He claims he never even walks his dog because he doesn’t have to. If I can’t make the dog playdates happen on a regualr basis, I’m probably going to try THC. I also want to stress that although this thread sounds like an indictment on a bad dog, she is a delight who just happens to have a very outgoing, strong personality. If I ran a doggy daycare at the house with 10 or more rowdy dogs, she’d be in heaven. But I’d probably have to be committed.

27

Shoes smell very strongly of the owner / alpha.

Insert obligatory groan at very bad pun.

28

And I may be totally delusional, but I DO think she knows the difference between her toys she is allowed to chew up & what is off limits. We’ve been sitting here with her for hours & she’s gone from marrow bone, to treat dispensing ball filled with peanut butter (thanks for the tips, Dopers!), then on to her antler, tennis ball, etc. Granted most of these treats are brand new, so there’s extra interest, but she always does this when we’re hanging out with her—goes from chewing on one thing to the next. Taking them inside and out. Since puppyhood (when we sprayed her with vinegar water when she chewed on things that weren’t hers) she hasn’t chewed on anything but her toys when we’re around.

29

Dogs are notorious stealth bombers. They want to please you. When you’re not there, though, all bets are off. She sounds like a fun and active family member anyway. Keep working on it, she’ll come around. You sound very proactive.

30

Please do not leave your dog in a crate while you are away. Would you like to be locked in a closet eight hours per day? Do not take dog training advice from anybody who thinks that’s a good idea. She is a sentient being, not a toy to be placed in a box when you’re not using it. Leaving the crate open so that she go in and out of it at will is a great thing though. They need a space that is only their own, and will use it to feel safe when they are anxious. A dog needs a den.

A second dog is a great idea. Two dogs are always easier than one,precisely because they can keep each other company. Three dogs is usually (but not always) trouble, because then you can get into pack dynamics that don’t include the humans.

One thing that was really helpful with Celtdog (a former stray, so civilizing him was a process) was holding certain chew toys for him when I was home. Just in a nurturing way as if I were holding a baby bottle, I would hold onto the toy while he chewed it on the floor beside me. This way, when I was away, he would return to that toy and feel safe and protected when he chewed on it.

She still needs to learn what is hers and what is yours though. Celtling was young then and toys were everywhere. It was no easy task getting him to settle with his own things. Another thing that really helped was to give him a basket for his toys and always put them back in there. We corrected him any time he picked something up that didn’t come from his basket.

It also sounds like you’ve got a serious chewer there, so getting a handle on this is super important. Research super chewer toys and get her some.

Are you feeding her in the mornings? Anxious dogs are sometimes just really hungry.

That’s all I can think of at the moment. I hope some of it is helpful.

31

One thing to watch out for with those marrow bones (which are excellent) is that if she’s not used to them, she will likely have some stomach upset. Be prepared for letting her out more often for a day or two.

You need to keep her busy. She is bored. Imagine a relatively intelligent and very active 6-8 year old. You go away all day. She does what…? Whatever comes into her fluffy little head.

  1. She needs a safe space. If she can’t be trusted around your things, she can’t be with your things when you’re not there. It’s not her fault for destroying them, it’s your fault for leaving them where she can get to them. Puppy proof her room before you go.

  2. Exercise. Playdates, a friend, the dog park (the dog park is your friend). Try getting her more dog time. Dog parks are really great for this. She will run herself to exhaustion. If you can go in the morning, she will sleep half the day.

  3. Variety when she is home alone. Get her an assortment of toys and rotate them. She gets 2 or 3 a day, but they aren’t the same ones. Look into puzzle toys, where she has to work to get a treat. Take a Kong and fill it with a mixture of soft food and kibble, and then freeze it. Give it to her for variety, or as an incentive to go in her crate (but leave her door open). Perhaps the dog walker can switch toys at mid-day.

  4. Separation anxiety? She may be destructive due to separation anxiety. You can try various things like leaving the tv on (or music on), or giving her towels that smell like you to see if it helps.

  5. Stop scolding her unless you catch her actually doing something bad. She has absolutely no idea what is going on. She thinks you are angry, but she doesn’t know why.

32

We free feed, meaning that there is food in her bowl at all times. She is not food driven, as our previous dogs have been. She’s a decent eater (more of a grazer) but despite having good food in bowl always, she does not overeat & her weight is healthy. Our trainer said she is neither food, nor toy driven, but attention driven. Meaning that attention is what she craves. As much as the thought terrifies me, I think she may need a constant dog companion. She gets along with our cats, but her overbearing nature overwhelms them & they end up climbing up onto some place high to get away from her.

33

I thought I’d never get Celtdog’s jumping under control. “Down” was an order he just couldn’t comprehend. But he had “sit” so downpat that I decided to use it. I asked all comers to ignore him and refuse to pet him until he sat still and calm. The same with putting his leash on for walks, or giving a treat; nothing good was happening until he sat calmly.

Once he made the connection it was like magic. He would walk straight up to the visitor and sit calmly in front of them. I’d have to let them know that he was asking to be petted.

Agree with the exercise. Just going out back and throwing the ball for ten minutes each morning would probably make a huge difference. But do it first thing, and at about the same time every day.

Guilt depends upon the dog and the intelligence level. I had a German Shepherd who would meet us at the door looking guilty. If you said “show me” she’d lead you straight to whatever she had chewed or pooped on. There’s no question that she knew why she was in trouble and understood the corrections. But then, she was the best dog that ever lived. :smiley:

34

That’s Celtdog too. First dog I’ve ever had who didn’t clear the bowl every time. When we first got him he would wolf down anything, and then go after the trash. But once he got used to the idea that there would always be food, morning and night, he chilled out completely between meals. We gave him his favorite canned stuff 1/3 can morning and night and left kibble out during the day. It was a new concept for me!

Maybe try getting her one of these instead of a bowl? It’ll be one more thing to fill a little more time and exercise her brain.

35

It’s absolutely NOT true! The crate as punishment will only last a few weeks. After that the crate can be left out with a cover over the top, and his toys in and he’ll go back to using it as a retreat / hidey hole without any problem whatsoever.

It’s not being used as an ongoing punishment through months, just a couple of weeks to start. Once the dog doesn’t bark or chew your things there isn’t much need to crate them, in my experience. I’ve never crated my dogs after they’ve learned not to bark or chew stuff. Why would you?

Your trainer is recommending a shock collar because he knows y’all can’t manage the zero tolerance thing. You don’t want to jump up and go through the steps, EVERY time, over and over. For two long weeks, what a nightmare. I understand, I’ve been you and know a lot of others too.

All I can tell you is it’s much, MUCH, less work than dealing with a barking, chewing animal into adulthood. The dog you don’t take the time to train isn’t having a happy time being scolded, pissing you and the neighbours off, day in and day out. That’s NOT a happy life for you or your dog. Your dog is worth the investment. The longer you let it go on the harder it will be to reverse.

Something to think about anyway. Def wish you Good Luck, I know how challenging it can be!

36

Uh oh. She’s already on her second one today…but she has a dog door & never poops inside the house.

Her dog door is off the kitchen & she chews the kitchen cabinets (wood) & metal handles & the rug by the back door. She’s even chewed the rubber flap of her dog door-very orally fixated. Once we get this under control, we’ll replace them. I agree that this is caused by boredom in her case. She is not an anxious dog AT ALL. Highly cheerful, gregarious & always has to be doing something- very rough and tumble. She’d make a great working dog.

37

Time to build a patio out there. She’s only 3, you’ll have her for years and years. Make her a little paradise outside, with shade. Even shadesails will make it more comfortable for her out there.

Definitely try the bitter spray on the cupboards and hard surfaces she’s having a go at.

38

If I read Enola correctly, s/he can’t do zero tolerance because **s/he is not there **when the dog is barking, not because s/he doesn’t want to go through the steps. My dog responded well to a shock collar; she would still bark when appropriate, but not all day, every day. However, in this case it might be necessary to shave the poor things neck.

The dog should always see the crate as a refuge.

My newest dog has taken to the crate very well (at least, I always find her sleeping peacefully in there when I come home) but she doesn’t like being locked in when we are around. It helps if the only comfortable place to lie down is in there. I’m going to set up a doggy toy basket today, to see if that saves my socks and shoes.

I do not find having two dogs less work. They don’t keep each other entertained, they just fight for my attention.

I’ve always heard that allowing a dog to feed at will is terrible for discipline, but then one of my dogs is still chewing shoes, so there’s that. I’ll look into that bitter spray.

As for exercise, walking alone does not wear the younger one out, only lots of running and jumping in the dog park does that.

39

I’ve had dogs pretty much all my life. No two are alike other then they do respond to positive training (and love belly scritches).

Any time they do good, reward reward reward. Don’t scold or yell at the bad stuff. In a weird way they can see that as positive as they got your attention. For instance ignore them when they jump on you and walk away. If they pull on the leash, turn around and go the other direction. Do it again and again and again. A walk can turn into nothing but a bunch of circles.

For chewing, set them up to succeed. Its hard but don’t leave ANYTHING that they want to chew on available to them. Yes its hard and us stupid humans forget. And, you never know what they might find interesting. My wife and I currently have two Border Collie rescues. One loves my socks, the other apparently bras (found three of my wifes in the yard the other day. Brand new, never been worn). Some dogs will find your kindle interesting.

Had one dog that destroyed two king size feather pillows from the bed. You’ll never understand just how big of a mess that can make until you see if for yourself.

Remember, for all the mess and trouble, it’s worth it.

40

The nigh-indestructible Kong my mom’s dogs have had was a red one. I can’t imagine what an even-stronger black one would be like. Nylabones are pretty tough, but still well below the red Kong: They’ve gone through two or three of those. And real cow thighbones are nowhere near either: The current dog goes through one of those every few months.

And in addition to proper training techniques, I think some dogs just react differently to kennels than others. Mom’s previous dog, when she first got him, he would often get over-excited (especially with guests over), and she’d have to take him to his cage. But it quickly got to the point where she could just tell him “kennel up”, and he’d go on his own. And not long after that, he was able to recognize himself when he was starting to get too excited, and go without even being told. But none of that worked with the current dog.