Puppy Chewing!!

[chardonnay]

Hi Everyone,
Hope you are all well and happy [:)]
Does anyone have any helpful hints on how to stop our 8 month old puppy chewing everything in sight??!! [:(]
So far he'sdemolished coasters, plants, pens, cigaretts, etc, etc[:I]
His worst crimes have been over the past two weeks when he's eaten the telly remote, my reading glasses and last night my mobile phone!! [:(] (The phone is dead - no screen photo, reception or life. It was a brand new up grade as well - a Nokia worth £200!! [:(])
All help will e gratefully accepted!!
Chardonnay x

[moretolife]

the best thing we ever did was buy a puppy crate...all the dogs we have ever had used it and you will probably get mixed reviews on them and opinions etc...Most puppies only chew when unattended or bored....

if going out pop him in the crate and leave water and toys etc and he will be unlikely to chew except those thing she is "allowed to"...also great for toilet training as they very rarely soil or wet their bedding...

as a childminder it was invaluable for me to actually give the dog a place to call his own and get away from the crawling or todding kids..

after a time as he gets more mature...you can then leave the crate door open..but by then he will associate it with his bed and love the place....

Most vets and dog trainers advocate crating as a valuable training tool but there are some people who think its wrong...I love them and recommend them to everyone...dont use as a punishment and always reward them for going in and coming out with lots of claps and oozy voice and a wee treat..
hope all goes well

what did you get...we have a 9 year old black labrador

[plasticdaft]

Our dog was put in a crate when younger when we went out,and when you are in spend time teaching him what to chew and what not to.(he is a chocolate lab)(who ate 5 socks in one sitting and was on way to vets to get opened up when hey presto they appeared in the boot of my car!!!!)

[Skippy]

Sorry I can't help - I've never had a puppy (thank goodness!), only adult dogs. A friend of mine was going to get a crate but to be honest I don't agree with them - I don't like the idea of keeping an animal like a dog in a cage.

[chardonnay]

Hi All,
The puppy is the son of one of the OH's dogs - when he was married previously his ex-wife took the dogs but then after 18 months decided she didn't want them. The OH's son was so upset I said I'd have them as I'm a real softie for pouches!! [:)]
When they first arrived the OH mentioned how much weight the Scottie had put on - being a nurse I had a look and it wasn't weight it was pregnagcy!! [:)]
So on a Saturday I took on two dogs - a scottie and a westie and by Tuesday I had six digs, help!! [:D][:I]
We found very good homes for three of the pups and we agreed to the OH's son keeping one - I fell for the old "I'll look after it, clean ip after it........." How daft am I?? [:(]
As you will guess I clean up and look after it, but to be honest I love him to bits!! [:)]
Can we still do the crate thing when there are 2 other dogs, or do they all need crates? We do have a child gate, but only shut them in on rare occassions??!! [:)]
He does seem to chwe at night, so it may be a boredom issue??
[:)] [8D]

[plasticdaft]

You can just put the one in the crate if the rest are behaving. I also set up my video camera to see what the dogs got up to for an hour when we went out and found that our puppy settled quickly once in the routine of using the cage. We stopped using it when he was about 9 months old.

[chardonnay]

Hi,
That's great - we don't have a video camera mind you. One of the dogs is still having little "accidents" around the house?? We don't know who so are unsure who to tell off - we think it'sone of the older dogs, trying to get the puppy into trouble?? !! [:)]
It's a nightmare......[:)]

[Shining]

A crate is not cruel if used correctly. It's not for putting your dog in and going out for hours on end but as a training tool it's invaluable, I am into dog training in a big way and crate one of my dogs. He is blind in one eye with limited sight in the other and needs security of his surroundings.

Chewing is normal for that age he is going through the 'kevin' stage I'm afraid. Have you heard of a Kong? You can fill this with food stuff and he'll spend hours trying to get it out? As someone else boredom is the main cause of chewing and distraction is the best remedy for that.

[Wizzzard]

Hi Chardonnay

There is a Pet product called Bitter Apple Spray available from most good pet stores. By spraying onto the areas the puppy is fond of chewing he will be put off by the taste and smell. It is virtually odorless to humans and won't affect you.

[Shining]

Crates are invaluable with little ones and dogs too, as with most things there are fors and againsts them, but used correctly for the right purpose they do no harm.

[kallis3]

Our dog, when we first had him, took to chewing things. When we were out of the house, we made sure we removed things from harms way.

I would recommend taking the puppy to training classes.

[chardonnay]

Hi All,
I thought we were making progress by putting things away at night - little did I know how inventive the puppy would be!!! [:(]
Last night we put everyting away on the dining room table - usually a safe place??
This morning we have discovered the puppy can get onto the table and the OH's bluetooth is history - it's in tiny bits and the washing which I had just ironed is covered in muddy pawprints!!
I think I'll be buying a Kong and some apple spray today.....then re-washing the clothes!!
[:)] x

[cat 1]

[:D][:D][:D]
My lab puppy is now 15 months old!!!
She eats anything and everything.This week alone -a purse, a ten pound note, an electric toothbrush and she stole a carrot and a strawberry whilst I was preparing tea!
She is a master at theft.She knows she's naughty.She goes to her bed when she has 'done something wrong'.We don't tell her too, she just gets out of the way with her tail wiggling and mouth quivering.
Last night we thought she'd ate an earring and we have had to take her to the vets for chomping on a packet of immodium!
And for all this, we walk her, feed her, let her lie with us and give her lots of kisses!!! Who's mad?

[kallis3]

All puppies will chew - it's in their nature!

Things should be moved totally out of reach (dogs are notoriously clever at getting onto chairs!) or put away so there is no temptation.

I didn't find the kong any good myself. Our dog took one look at it and ignored it, regardless of whether there was any food inside - it was too much like hard work!

[MrsKnight]

I have never owned a dog or puppy - but fully intent to when the kids have left home[:D]
Im going to have to have something to love & mother[:D][:D]