NBR: about my dog.

mteston · August 2011

We adopted a 1.5yr old Labradoodle retriever when we moved to WA around 8 months ago. She's a very sweet dog, she loves to play and she won't let our 3 year old get close to the fence closest to our neighbors because they have dogs also but they have mean barks. lol.

She is trained to go in her crate, house trained, etc. A few months after we got her, I was babysitting early in the mornings so when DH got up for work I was gone. It was his job to let our dog out and put her in her crate before he left (there was snow on the ground and I'm not leaving my dog out there in the cold) Well, one morning he forgot to put her up, anxiety set in (I'm guessing) and I got home around 11am to find my $100 pair of Clark's Wallaby's chewed up. It was just one. DH didn't seem to care since it wasn't his stuff. The next day, I come home around 11am again thinking our dog is put up and I get home to find DS favorite book, DH ABU hat, and my Under Armour tennis shoes. Guess who got mad at the dog? DH! She chewed up both pair of my go-to shoes. But it was his fault because he left her out 2 days in a row!

We are now on our 3rd water hose because she chewed up our other 2. She really is a good dog and I don't want to get rid of her. We can't leave anything outside on the porch because she tears it up. DS stepped in dog poop one day in the yard while he was playing and left his shoes on the steps and she chewed both of them up.

My question is, do you think getting a 2nd dog would calm her down or do you think I'd have an extra animal tearing things up? I really don't want 2 dogs but if it would calm her down I'd totally do it. Any opinions? Chewing things and being super hyper are her only flaws. She is great around other animals, she doesn't beg for food at the dinner table, she lets you bathe her with no problem, she lets DS do pretty much anything too her or she just walks away. I'd also hate to get a 2nd dog who doesn't like DS.

hollinor · August 2011

I think your dog would only teach a new dog her bad tricks. Our poodle Miley is an excellent dog, her only fault is that she goes ballistic when she sees another small dog. We fostered a puppy for a few months, and she taught him to do the same thing! So I wouldn't suggest that if that is the only reason you're going to get a 2nd dog.

MrsClark8109 · August 2011

Part of it sounds like a DH training problem. We have 2 chihuhaua's (mine) and 1 lab (DH's) the lab chews. I make sure to keep her away from my stuff that could be chewed (she doesnt get free roam of the house when we aren't home) but rather has to stay in the garage...DH leaves stuff in the garage and it gets chewed. I usually have the discussion that goes like this "Who is the dog? Who is the human? Who should be smart enough to pick up their stuff?"

mrsgabus · August 2011

It could go either way... we bought our beagle so that our shep mix would have a friend... They have taught each other things and in the end my beagle is king of the house. He tells my sheppard off when he is misbehaving lol. However I would really look into all other options first as a second dog is more responsibility and could turn out bad.

I have three dogs btw.

RadicalDreamer143 · August 2011

I think both your current dog, and your DH, would benefit from training. I wouldn't get a new dog when you are about to have another child.

ces25c · August 2011

I agree with PPs, a second dog could calm her or could just teach the other dog her bad behaviors.

It's a PITA, but you probably just have to be really careful about putting everything out of her reach. Obedience training or new chew toys can help, but our dog still chews something up now and then. We just make sure that everything is in closets or out of her reach.

Idomoodou2 · August 2011

I agree with the PP about getting a second dog. It probably won't help the situation. It'll be more beneficial to the dog as well as your sanity just to train the DH and the dog that you currently have. When we first got our dog he chewed everything. And like you, it was usually my stuff and i would be told just to "suck it up" but once the dog got to one of my husband's things that dog has been constantly put in his room (we have a room in our house that it too small to be a closet and generally doesn't fit anything except for our dog) and the chewing has slowed down alot.

Try having a convrosation with your husband and remind yourself as well to put things away/up so that the dog can not get to anything. We also utilize a squirt bottle. When he would start to chew things and we would catch him we'd squirt him and say no. Side note the squirt bottle also worked wonders for him barking at people who walk by our house.

Stephiehun · August 2011

She needs training, more exercise, and supervision. If she's chewing things in the house, she needs to be crated whenever you go out.

More exercise will help tire her out so she isn't as bored. Labs and poodles are both very smart, active breeds - some puzzle toys could help, too.

Another dog won't help train her - you'll just end up with 2 crazy dogs and twice as many chewed up things.

She should NOT be left outside all day if that's what you're currently doing. Who knows what could happen to her?

lovelymissautumn · August 2011

Labs chew. Especially when they aren't stimulated enough, they have a lot of energy! Frequent walks, trips to the dog park, running around the back yard, etc. might help calm her down but might not completely eliminate the problem. You also have to train her, which is much easier said than done. Labs are smart though! For now maybe try exercising her more and being extra mindful about where things are when you're not around and she's not in her cage.

Ginny0211 · August 2011

I have two dogs. My older dog never chewed up anything, not even her own toys. My 1 1/2 yr old dog was a HUGE challenge. He chewed on my couch, baseboards, shoes, socks, books, remotes....He chewed EVERYTHING - including my very favorite pair of shoes. Thankfully, finally at 1yr and 1/2, I can now trust him to not destroy our stuff while we are home. I can't remember the last time he chewed on something he wasn't suppose to... it has been at least 6 months, but I still don't think he is ready for total freedom like my other dog. I gave her total freedom at about 4 months old, but due to my other's history and since he is still very much a puppy, he goes in the crate when we are not home.

When he was a baby puppy and was going through teething the only way my whole house was not destroyed was Kongs with peanut butter, bones, and Bitter Apple spray. I made sure he had lots of stuff to chew on that he was suppose to chew and I sprayed my stuff with Bitter Apple. It is a non toxic spray that has a bitter taste. You can get it at Petsmart. It saved my couch. He only had to chew on my couch once with that stuff on it to deter him to never do it again. Bitter Apple alone was not enough - you have to catch him in the act and make a big deal about it. Say "NO NO" in a very stern voice and take it away. Then give LOTS of praise when they play and chew on what's they are not suppose to. This did the trick for us.

Good Luck!

JenMike4 · August 2011

Labs are chewers, I have a purbred English Lab and to say the least we got lucky and she wasn't much of a chewer (only ate one of my shoes once). However she's a barker.

Her sister (my mom's dog) was a chewer she seemed to grow out of it around 2.5/3 (both girls are 7 now) . My mom was really good about putting things up and giving her a stern NO when she saw her with stuff. She also made sure Jessi had tons of chew toys laying around the house for her, including kongs. Also I remember when she saw Jessi with something she wasn't suppose to have she would grab a toy of Jessi's take away what she wasn't suppose to have and give her the chew toy. It sounds crazy but it would work b/c Jessi would go right on chewing with the toy mom gave her. Things you don't want her chewing could have a mouse trap by it, or in it, that way if she goes for it she'll set off the trap and it would scare her. MIL did this to keep her dog off the counters and sofas it took the trap going off 2 or 3 times before her dog got the hint.

NurseLaLa · August 2011

No, don't get another dog. DH needs to be more diligent in crating your pup. It's best for your dog's safety.

diana563 · August 2011

i dont think that getting another dog will solve the problem... i wanted tot refer you to this site, that i find amazing and i learned a lot from training my own dog. its called wwwtheamazingdogtrainingman.com this guy has plenty of videos on you tube that u can watch for free... unless u want a more specific advice and then its better if u do a subscription. anyways he only uses positive reinforcement, teaches about proper ways of redirecting behavior... the only trick is if u want your dog to stop doing something u actually have to be there to catch it.

also petsmart offers those kong toys that stimulate dogs mind and keep them busy... chew toys accessible to the dog will maybe help him choose the bone over the shoe

good luck to you, labs are awesome!!

FabulousMrs.P · August 2011

I don't think that a second dog will help. Instead you need to up her exercise level. Maybe DH can take her for a brisk walk before he leaves for work in the morning. Remember a tired dog is a happy dog.

In addition, you need to leave her with something she CAN chew on...a favorite bone, a buster cubes, kong...something that is accessible to her. When she is chewing on her chew toy, praise her for doing so.If you catch her chewing something she shouldn't then you need to correct her and redirect her behavior to the chew toys.

I would also suggest that your hubby take the dog to a training class. It will help him to understand a better way of dealing with these issues.

camedowncrushing · August 2011

I don't really understand when you say "put up." Does that mean in or out? Do you leave your dog outside while you are not home?

It sounds like your dog and H need to go to training. Your dog needs more exercise, and when left at home (inside) needs to be given chew toys.

I would not even be looking at a second dog if I were you.

Djcieply · August 2011

Definitely do not get a second dog. It will probably just make the problem worse, since your DH can not do what he is supposed to with one dog he's not going to all of a sudden be able to do it with two. Like PP's have said if your dog chews dont let it have run of the house or the yard when you are gone, dogs shouldnt be left outside unattended anyway.

Does your dog have plenty of its own toys to chew on? Our dog destroys toys but has never chewed on anything he wasnt supposed to. It also sounds like your dog needs more "to do" even if it is putting peanut butter in a KONG toy and letting your dog work on that. If you cant get your dog out for walks everyday or if the weather is just not good try a used treadmill, we got one for $60. I wouldnt get one that cost anymore than that your dog may take to it or they may hate it but I have seen it work.

pghjen · August 2011

I crated my lab until she was three years old because she had some chewing tendencies. If I read your post correctly, it sounds like your DH isn't being consistent in crating the dog. The crate is the best place for the dog when you are gone - they can't chew anything that is off limits and the know they are safe there. I wouldn't recommend a second dog with another baby on the way - two dogs are great because they entertain each other, but they are still a lot of extra work.

MattisMom · August 2011

I just skimmed though PP's answers, so forgive me if I'm repeating.

Training and making sure everyone in the house is on the same page with where she's left out and what is left in her path will help, as will corrective actions if/when you catch her in the act. But just leaving a ton of chew toys out may not be the best short-term solution. Laberdoodles combine two very intelligent breeds and need stimulation. Labs are also a breed that stays in a teenage state a bit longer than some others. At 1.5 years, yours is still between puppy and adult, so she may calm down a bit in another year or two.

A chew toy that takes some "work" to get a treat out will be good. And a different toy every day or switching between three or four will also help to avoid boredom. There are also devices that store multiple toys in a container with a timer and ejects one toy at a time at set intervals. So they dog gets a suprise new toy every few hours. Magic! Especially if the toy gets ejected from a place out of immediate sight. Here's a link to one. It's sorta pricey, but just so you get the idea: https://www.petgadgets.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=222&content_id=89

Hope this is helpful. Good luck!

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