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English Bulldog Chewing Walls

18 17:02:49

Question
QUESTION: I have a seventh month old English Bulldog who loves to chew on the corners of the walls, door frames and doors. She is kept in the kitchen (by baby gates) for about five to six hours two times a week. I am home M-F with her all day long. We have our laundry room attached to the kitchen which leads to the garage, and that is the door that she likes to chew on. I have used Bitter Apple and it does not seem to bother her. She does not chew when we are there. I always leave her with plenty of toys, but she still keeps chewing. Could this be because of her breed? Or is this because I am home so much with her during the week?

ANSWER:     Hi Christina,

     Just like human babies do, puppies chew, especially when they're teething, but more than likely teething isn't the problem. It sounds like she is bored. Every dog needs a job to do, and sitting penned up for six hours twice a week isn't much of a job. How often do you take her on walks? She should be going at least twice a day, every day. She could also be nervous from being away from you, called seperation anxiety.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Cassie,
Thank-you so much for your response. I thought that maybe separation anxiety could be her problem. Should I extend her area? Also, I forgot to mention that the door frame she is chewing on leads towards the exit (out into the garage); could that be why she is only chewing on that wall? Because she leaves the other six walls, frames alone. Is there anything for separation anxiety? I do walk her everyday and she gets plenty of other exercise throughout the week. Also, if I have to leave during the week, it is only for about two or three hours, and she doesn't even touch the walls or frames, so maybe she is dependent on me to much.

ANSWER:     Hello again,
        Do you have a descent-sized backyard? If so, then I would recommend letting her roam around and explore the outdoors for a couple hours a day. Be sure that there is no way for her to escape from the yard! The door frame leading toward the garage could be coincidental, or there could be a gas leak or something triggering her anxiety, causing her to want into the garage. Separation anxiety can only be fixed with more time spent with the animal. Try getting her a companion. Visit your local animal shelter this week and see if you find the perfect dog for her.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Cassie,
Thanks again for your response, but I do have another question. We do have a good sized backyard but it is not fenced in. Also, I live in Florida so I think it is too hot to have her out for too much time. I take her to my mother's three times a week where she can run around in the fenced backyard with my mother's Australian Shepherd. She is at my mother's 12-15 hours a week. Also, we are spending time with her, I am home with her M-F all day long. I have thought about getting her a companion. Do two bulldogs do well together?
Thanks Again for helping me out. Christina

Answer
   Hi Christina,
        Yes, I do believe that Bulldogs get along well, but it really depends on the individual. I would recommend getting an older female for her. If you'd like, I could find one for you. I have successfully found homes for dogs on two different occasions. I'll continue to send you links through Allexperts. Here is one:

http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?breed=bulldog&tmpl=&preview=&name=

In order to find you a dog, I need you to take this quiz: http://us.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DBS and give me your city name. Thank you!