Help with a chewing puppy

[morty130971]

Hi,

this is my first post on the forums and I am looking for some assistance with our 6 month old Cocker Spaniel Puppy Murphy.

We also have an 8 year old Rough Collie, so when I say alone I mean without Human company. Whenever he is left alone we dread coming back to see what he has chewed up. So far he has gone though 2 laptop cables, numerous letters, Books, DVD's and then yesterday we came home to see that he had destroyed his bed. He has plenty of toys and dog chews and only ever destroys things when he is left alone.

I am trying to steer away from using a cage, and am considering a muzzle to be used when he is left alone.

I know that there is a certain amount of chewing to be expected but it only seems to be human things that are getting chewed ....

Thanks

[Rats and Dogs]

How long is he left alone for?

If you don't want to crate him, how about using a play pen or restricting him to a safe room such as the kitchen, where there are no cables or things lying around. I wouldn't be keen on using a muzzle for any length of time, best just to keep all your human things out of his way.

[Karma]

How long is he left for?
What exercise does he get before he is left?
Why are you so opposed to a crate? (IMO it is a far better solution than a muzzle   )

At that age pups will chew - it really is up to you to ensure he doesn't have access to things you don't want him to chew...

There are ways to help this, but a little more information would help...  
(If it's any consolation, Honey destoyed 3 beds, a digital camera, my mobile phone, our sofa bed mattress and several pairs of shoes between the age of 4 months and a year   )

[morty130971]

Thanks for your replies.

He left with Chloe (Rough Collie) for 4 hours. He had plenty of toys and having learnt from previous times, all the human things were removed.

We have an open planned house so we cant really shut him in a room alone. We have a cat flap which he uses to take himself out into the garden to toilet and is usually where we find most of the toys we give him to chew.

We leaned more to a muzzle as didn't want to "cage" him, if that makes sense.

Another issue is we are going to France in August and Murphy is going to be staying with my OH's aunt and their Springer. They have a spotless house, so again we are worrried he is going to wreck it .....

Thanks again

[SkyeSue]

I don't have a lot of experience, but I would suggest that it would be really good for your pup if you could crate train him. Try not to think of it as a "cage" , many dogs will happily adapt to being in a crate, its like a safe wee den for them  If you could crate train, this would also solve the problem when you are away..there's lots of threads about crate training on here...just do a search    Good luck 

[Karma]

As SkyeSue says, a crate really isn't like caging a dog... it's a den. 

Puppies will chew, but it can also be caused by boredom or stress... and if this is the case by muzzling him you are likely to come home to scratched walls, a dug up garden etc... I also don't like the idea of muzzling for any length of time... he would be unable to groom himself, or to nibble the grass... and what would happen if he was unwell? 

You need to make sure he is really tired (physically and mentally) before he is left - 4 hours is quite a long time for a pup (some cope much better than others with the length of time they are left).  Is he exercised before you go out?  Do you do any regular training with him to keep him mentally exercised?  Have you taught him to chew his chew toys? (Not all dogs automatically "get" the idea that chew toys are there to be chewed!)
How many times a week is he left for 4 hours?  How does he get on with your other dog?

[bibathediva]

Agree with all Karma has said and IMO i think a muzzle on a pup is quite cruel    he is only doing what all pups do and if he is bored he is more likely to chew  if you can crate train him it would also help when you take him away from home as he will still feel like he has his own familiar space 

[kalem]

Would really not advise a muzzle   Think of it this way if he got caught on something and he couldnt pull himself free he could really really cause himself harm (or even worse)   many a dog has got itself caught up with a collar, which is why I Never leave my dogs collar on in the house,  so a Muzzle could be the same  

I would definately introduce a crate, it keeps them safe, makes them feel secure, keeps them away from Human possessions and things he should not be playing with, with the right training for his crate he will end up a safe and happy chappy, you dont have to use it forever  

[cazza]

I am crate training at the moment - I love the crate as I know they are safe etc

Fern was in her crate till about 2 yrs old when left at home - and still sleeps in it at night occassionally now

i definately wouldn't muzzle your 6 month old for what I believe (my opinion) is normal puppy behaviour

[Rats and Dogs]

I wonder if you're thinking that a crate is just a bare cage with the dog trapped inside it?

Duggie has a large 36" crate that has his bed at one end, his water and food bowls and toys at the other, and a fleece blanket over the outside of it so that he feels safe and secure and has his own things around him. I leave some chewy toys and a filled kong with him as well as his cuddly toys so that he doesn't get bored, and if he is going to be staying with anyone all that will go with him.

[sassie]

I put Larnie into a puppy pen which takes up a quarter of the room, have you thought about doing this and walking your puppy so he is 'empty'and tired before being left, you can get quite heavy duty ones - I've got a simple one as will be crate training Larnie when she has grown out of the pen.

Also that way his kongs and toys will also be in the pen, as well as his bed, drinking bowl, etc. - it might be worth a go.

[smartietopdog]

I think everyone has their stories to tell on what their puppy has eaten over time!!
I never crated any of mine, just restricted them to one room, for damage limitation. Even then, walls get chewed, doors scratched, table legs eaten.........................it's just a fact of having a puppy, and when hes all grown out of it, you will look back and think its funny, honest!!

My first cocker - Chewitt - started in the car on the way home, hence his name, he had all sots of things in his first 2 years, electric razors, wedding photos, the front of OH car stereo, floor tiles.............................

[cazza]

I think everyone has their stories to tell on what their puppy has eaten over time!!
I never crated any of mine, just restricted them to one room, for damage limitation. Even then, walls get chewed, doors scratched, table legs eaten.........................it's just a fact of having a puppy, and when hes all grown out of it, you will look back and think its funny, honest!!My first cocker - Chewitt - started in the car on the way home, hence his name, he had all sots of things in his first 2 years, electric razors, wedding photos, the front of OH car stereo, floor tiles.............................

I am going thro the puppy stage again at the mo and TBH I had forgotton how much the chewing and play biting happened  so it's so true you look back and either think it's funny or look back like me with rose tinted glasses on - only to go thro it again and think it WAS never this bad was it 

[johndoran]

Bonnie Boo has had a crate from a pup and has allways slept in it at night with the door closed without any problems she will also trot off and lie down in it any time she wants some chill time. Its more like a little den she has her bed and loads of soft toys in there, water as well ,the top and sides are covered with a throw to make it more cosy. Its just like a part of the furniture now i would definitely give it a try

[Mudmagnets]

1 (of many) things that would concern me with a muzzle for that long a period, how about access to his water bowl? . As you probably realise - not sure what sort of muzzle you are thinking about  but 4 hours seems a long while in this situation.