Chewing

Send him to live with me!

Have you tried giving him a frozen kong while you're out? It might redirect him. That or you could try crate training again?

I would like an answer to this question as well, although I fear there is none. It probably comes with the territory of owning a bully breed, but the Lou Bear is chewing us out of house and home! And he's not even unattended during the day, so it's not boredom unless he considers us boring (which we probably are). Lou is a stealth chewer. His most recent victim was one of our dining room chairs. Oh, and when I was unloading the dishwasher today, he gleefully grabbed a wooden spoon and chewed it to pieces.

If this destructive, nervous behavior started after your Dalmation passed away, what about fostering a dog in need. There are dogs - yours included, I think - that need companionship at all times - but it doesn't necessarily have to be a person. It's very possible that as long as another living creature is in the house, your dog will be fine - just like he was with the Dalmation. Adoption would be wonderful, but I'm thinking maybe you're not ready(?) which is why I suggest fostering. Good luck to you and I'm so sorry for your loss.

antigone, you let Louie have whatever he wants. He is cute bebe. My advice is to stuff the kong and freeze it overnight. It'll take 'em a while to work the goodies out.

antigone wrote: Also, I think that sanctioned toys don't have the cachet for him that forbidden objects do. When he's running off with an object, he always watches me to gauge my response and seems disappointed when I don't react negatively.

We should probably get him a crate, but he's already a puppy school dropout. We're bad doggy parents.

Some dogs, just like kids, do like any attention, even negative attention. Maybe when he grabs something and starts running off with it, calmly go get a piece of his favorite treat (super scented cheese, jerky - whatever he finds irresistible) and call him with a happy tone. Make him do a few repetitions of some basic obedience (sit, lie down, roll over, whatever he knows) and then reward him. Do just enough so he knows he's being rewarded for the tricks and not for the theft. While he's eating, calmly take the object away (if it is in reach) and don't make a fuss over it. Then give him a kong or mega rawhide or bone or something else chewy and time-consuming and go back to whatever you were doing.

Just an idea - that's what I'd probably try if my girl had chewing/stealing issues. Thank goodness she doesn't, as I'm not the tidiest person around.

And as for the crate training - if you do it slowwwwwwwly, it is never too late. Just make it comfy and enticing and always leave the door open at first, toss some treats in there from time to time, get him voluntarily going in there and cat napping (dog napping?). Then eventually close the door and work that for some intervals.

One last idea that never hurts - exercise, lots of it. Beyond separation anxiety, boredom and restless energy can also contribute to stealing/chewing. If your pup is pooped, he won't be as inclined to steal stuff and have a marathon furniture chewing session. He'll be more likely to just sleep when you're gone, too. I read somewhere - "a tired dog is a good dog." I'm a believer, I see it in my own super energetic terrier.

This is a really serious problem (from the dogs I've seen it in) that does not have an easy solution, BUT it can get better with work. If you can, I strongly recommend finding a trainer that has worked on this before. Just using a crate and a kong isn't going to help, there's a whole method to how you use it for separation anxiety and a good trainer can help you with that. If a trainer isn't an option, try reading about it online.

I feel for you...it is so sad and frustrating when your dog is obviously so stressed.

Lots of exercise can be very helpful and if the dog would like it, you might try a couple of days a week at a dog daycare.

This dog could just get worse and worse and you'll see more damage to your home and the dog will hurt itself more. This type of problem does not just go away, imo.

The only trainer I've worked with around here is Annie Angell who used to be one of the Good Dog Foundation trainers (she quit to work more at her business). We weren't dealing with problems in class but I agree with her approach and she's really patient and good with dogs and people. She usually does group classes, but I would certainly ask her about doing a home visit for this. Her business is
http://www.mytwodogsinc.com/AboutUsPage.html

For little Louie, I bet he just needs some more exercise. Some crating even while your home might help him learn to have quiet time without entertainment.

Good luck!

Awwww...Louie looks happy!

My dog gets a very serious look on his face when he sees me carrying the kong--peanut butter is the love of his life. Beware, squirrels *can* chew through them. My pup left one outside overnight and by the time we got back from off-leash the next morning it was half-gone.