well I moved into my new place friday and its just me and the pooch. all the time I have had him he has always had other people or dogs around. at my old apt he was caged, but I dont have a cage now so I have been keeping him in the kitchen with a gate up. he has already chewed up the entire corner of both walls going into the kitchen and now has moved onto other things. this has to stop. I am getting a cage this sunday but I dont want to cage him cause back home over the summer he was fine when we put him in the wash room. there goes my deposit... I dont think there is really anything I can do.... he also will bark real loud and stuff too.... what can I do, he's an awsome dog, but I cant take this.

Does he have any chew toys?

Originally posted by Gen. Nonsense
Does he have any chew toys?
yes

He's upset about the changes. Don't feel bad about the cage, dogs like their crates. Its their den...they feel safe there. You can spray some bitter apple stuff on things so he won't chew, but the best thing for both of you is the cage. :roxy:

Originally posted by Roxywheels
He's upset about the changes. Don't feel bad about the cage, dogs like their crates. Its their den...they feel safe there. You can spray some bitter apple stuff on things so he won't chew, but the best thing for both of you is the cage. :roxy: Now your the fawkin Pet Psychic? When do you get your own show?:flipoff2:

Bitter Apple works good for a while, especially if you have a dog that LOVES to chew. You can also try Tabasco

Take some obediance classes with him, just the time spent with him will help, along with the training.

uhh simple solution.. ELECTRIC DOG COLLAR.. that is all.. if you can't figure it out.. you don't deserve your dog :D forget that humane shit.. shock yourself with it.. it's not that bad.. it's just irritating

Originally posted by Roxywheels
He's upset about the changes. Don't feel bad about the cage, dogs like their crates. Its their den...they feel safe there. You can spray some bitter apple stuff on things so he won't chew, but the best thing for both of you is the cage. :roxy:
I know he is upset, but I cant see why he just doesnt get over it. and putting tabasco and bitter apple isnt an option I'd have to put it on everything....

How old is he? :roxy:

Originally posted by Roxywheels
How old is he? :roxy:
3.5 year old yellow lab.

is there any kind of tranquilizers I can give? I dont want to make him wear a muzzle when hes in the cage(because of barking) I just cant see why this is so different than any other place we've stayed... oh well.

I bet if you put him in his cage and cover it up with a blanket he'll be fine. :roxy:

you'll tranq him but you won't shock him with a electric dog collar for about a week everytime he does something wrong till he learns? im not just making shit up.. i have a yellow lab that went through the exact same shit.. its not rocket science

Originally posted by synds9
you'll tranq him but you won't shock him with a electric dog collar for about a week everytime he does something wrong till he learns? im not just making shit up.. i have a yellow lab that went through the exact same shit.. its not rocket science
how can I do that i fI am not at home when it happens?

If he's in the cage and starts barking when you leave, it will not last long. Your dog is acting out due to the changes and new environment. If he has lived in a cage before, it won't be long until he gets used to it again. He is pissed and is testing you. If he barks and you let him out, he wins. If he barks and stays in the cage, he will stop barking (or lose his "voice"). Dogs are all about cause and effect. Just tough it out and make sure you demonstrate "tough love". Your old buddy will be back in no time.

Get the crate and bitter apple. Stay away from the electric collar and tranqs. If you must do something to stop barking I suggest a citronella collar. Your dog is chewing because it is upset and pissed. They do it for attention. You should get chew toys that are different to get it's attention (ie a nylabone, rawhide, hoof, pig ear, kong, things that they can eat as well as simply chew). Walk him as much as you can too. Being locked up all day, with a dog like that, I can see how it's frustrating him. Labs like to run. I think with time he'll adjust. Just be patient :)

Originally posted by synds9
uhh simple solution.. ELECTRIC DOG COLLAR.. that is all.. if you can't figure it out.. you don't deserve your dog :D forget that humane shit.. shock yourself with it.. it's not that bad.. it's just irritating

I have been rendered unconcious by one of those

Originally posted by Jeremy Johnson
If he's in the cage and starts barking when you leave, it will not last long. Your dog is acting out due to the changes and new environment. If he has lived in a cage before, it won't be long until he gets used to it again. He is pissed and is testing you. If he barks and you let him out, he wins. If he barks and stays in the cage, he will stop barking (or lose his "voice"). Dogs are all about cause and effect. Just tough it out and make sure you demonstrate "tough love". Your old buddy will be back in no time.
itd be nice if he would only bark when I put him in there and left. I will not remove him if he barks. BUT... in the last apt I recoreded him after I left and listened he did it the whole time... ~20 min at least
Once granny can bring me the cage hopefully things will be better.

whats with the blanket over the cage thing? supposed to calm him?

The blanket over the cage will make it more *den* like and help calm him :roxy:

careful with the blanket thing...you might over heat him....I wouldnt even consider it in a closed crate where the dog can not go to a cooler place...


shock collars are effective trainging tools, and used properly at parties on drunk people they are fun too :D


crate him when you leave in the morning and take him out and play with him as soon as you get home and you will have your "old" dog back in no time. also give him an old sweatshirt of yours or something in his crate so he can have your scent close by for security....


:usa:

Dogs are social animals. He needs a pal, consider getting another dog so he has someone to play with and keep him/her company when your not home.

***The Dog Man's Wife***

Originally posted by joes75bronco

itd be nice if he would only bark when I put him in there and left. I will not remove him if he barks. BUT... in the last apt I recoreded him after I left and listened he did it the whole time... ~20 min at least
Once granny can bring me the cage hopefully things will be better.

whats with the blanket over the cage thing? supposed to calm him?

HAH how did that happen? we usually get drunk and see who can handle it the longest on the highest setting

Originally posted by StepMonster
Dogs are social animals. He needs a pal, consider getting another dog so he has someone to play with and keep him/her company when your not home.

***The Dog Man's Wife***

i agree...get him a cat. i think your dog is bored.

i would find an adult cat that is already fixed and has short hair. try the local humane society or look for free cats in the paper. you won't notice the hair over the lab hair. with 2 dogs, they "pack" together and act like idiots. with a cat and a dog, they entertain each other and become friends.

cats are very easy to take care of. i travel a lot and can leave my cat alone for 3-4 days. i'll leave a big bowl of food and both toilet seats open (she won't drink out of a bowl, toilet water only) and she is fine. the only downside it you'll have to scoop up cat puke and hair balls every now and then.

Originally posted by StepMonster
Dogs are social animals. He needs a pal, consider getting another dog so he has someone to play with and keep him/her company when your not home.

***The Dog Man's Wife***

Agreed. I have two labs. They're like best buddies. They play together all damn day long. Sure makes my life a lot easier. :D

Trust me the crate is probably best for both of you.

My dog has had a hard time adjusting after his "mom" passed a few months. Storms never bothered him before, but one crack of thunder and he wanted out of his "doggy room".

Tom :usa:

Ja-suS!!
that's Skate's(?) handy work?

and I was upset when Sundance ate the legs off the coffe table.

I'm 100% behind the nasty flavor gel.
you'll need to experiment to seewhat works best.
Sundance actually likes the "bitter apple".
Little bastard took the spray bottle right off the counter and licked it dry.
"bitter lime" makes him shake his head and drag his tongue on the carpet. tabasco works wonderfully, too.

all your dog needs to learn is that wood tastes bad and he''l clean up his act.

It sounds like your dog is frustrated and bored. How much time do you spend with him each day? Does he get to sleep in your bedroom? Do you spend time outside together? E collars and bitter apple spray are a bandaid fix for adult dog chewing, and don't really address the dog's problem. I suggest reading "How to be your dog's best friend (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316610003/qid=1063375845/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-1753571-3533520?v=glance&s=books) " by the Monks of New Skete. Also, since you have a lab, doing some obedience and field training may give him something to work toward. I also suggest "The 10 Minute Retriever (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572233036/qid%3D1063375940/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-1753571-3533520)". Damn good books.

Originally posted by jeepnmatt
with 2 dogs, they "pack" together and act like idiots. with a cat and a dog, they entertain each other and become friends.


Not that I like cats but thats a great idea! I think I've even seen it action but never really paid attention.

My father is retired, he spends all day with his two dogs. If he leaves they both go ape shit and tear everything apart. The rest of the time they are very well behaved...for dogs...

Originally posted by proletariat
I also suggest "The 10 Minute Retriever (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572233036/qid%3D1063375940/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-1753571-3533520)". Damn good books.

Yup, and check out Water Dog. Classic training material written waaaaaaaay back when. Very simple and straightforward training techniques.

Originally posted by Sundowner
Ja-suS!!
that's Skate's(?) handy work?
Sundance actually likes the "bitter apple".


Yes, Skate should be hired out for demolition work!

That is too funny about Apple Bitter.... He loved the stuff, what ever I sprayed it on... he would chew even more. No, didn't have any on the door.

Also helps when I do my 1.5 mile walk in the evening with Skate. About 20-30 minutes of a good brisk walk to get that energy worked out of him.

He has been doing pretty good, but still loves to chew old books (something about the binding glue) when he can get to them! :(

Tom :usa:

I spend a lot of time with him. 2-3 walks a day. he sleeps in my room on his bed in the corner. I'll check out those books. I dont know if getting and training another dog is an option right now. I am about to start school back next week and dont have the time to put into a puppy. about the cat... wont he run away when I let him out? or will he stay around or what? that seems to be an idea, but I dont know. so the bitter apple is something I spreay on walls boxes and everything he could possibly chew on? will it discolor anything? does it smell terribly bad?
thanks for the replies

Cats will always come back to where they're fed. Get a cat and keep him indoors and feed him for about a week, then let him wander around outdoors. He'll come back as long as he's gotten used to the dog by then.

Also, leave the TV on for your dog in the mean time. Having some background noise to distract them can help a lot. Your dog is bored and anxious and he's in a new environment. Every time you leave, he's not sure you're coming back and doesn't want to be alone because he's always had "friends" around. Having the TV on is distracting enough that it can minimize some of his behaviors.

Originally posted by Schly
Cats will always come back to where they're fed. Get a cat and keep him indoors and feed him for about a week, then let him wander around outdoors. He'll come back as long as he's gotten used to the dog by then.

Also, leave the TV on for your dog in the mean time. Having some background noise to distract them can help a lot. Your dog is bored and anxious and he's in a new environment. Every time you leave, he's not sure you're coming back and doesn't want to be alone because he's always had "friends" around. Having the TV on is distracting enough that it can minimize some of his behaviors.
I do leave the radio on. a previous occurence led me to try that and it worked but no more.