QuestionQUESTION: Our 1 year old basset has been chewing everything and is getting worse. Last week, he chewed a hole in our carpet. Yesterday, he ate my son's senior yearbook. Today, he ate a cushion of the sofa (inside and out). I'm at wits end. What should we do?
ANSWER: Mary,
With such a brief explanation of his behavior I can only offer you suggestions based on assumptions.
If he's chewing 'everything' there are a two main concerns...he either wasn't taught proper behavior as a puppy or he's not being supervised properly (or both). A dog that is supervised would not be able to eat an entire cushion.
If he's chewing things in front of you, tell him 'eh-eh', remove the item from him and replace it with a toy of his telling him 'good toy'. You'll need to be extremely vigilant and do this each time.
If he's chewing when you aren't home, I would suggest crate training him.
Dogs that are destructive in this manner tend to do so out of boredom. Only you know if he's being properly exercised (30 minute walk each day) and mentally stimulated. If he's not, doing so will help. Enroll in an obedience class, start visiting the dog park, etc. Tire him out.
If you'd like to be more specific I may be able to offer better assistance.
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QUESTION: Thanks.
To be more specific, you're right, it's when he's unsupervised. I think he needs attention but we're not home for about 5 hours a day. We did crate train him as a puppy and he's totally housetrained, but we've been letting him roam the family room/laundry room area while we're at work and that's when he's chewing.
Should dogs be crated past puppyhood?
Thank you.
AnswerEach individual dog is different. The mistake most people make is assuming their dog is old enough and letting them have free roam without 'practicing' or un-crate training first. Being in a small, safe area such as a crate and then let loose in an entire room or home can be overwhelming for some dogs...can be an invitation for others. In either case, causing destruction relieves boredom and stress.
When deciding to begin leaving a dog 'out', start with small times. 5 minutes each day for a week, 10 minutes the next, 20 minutes the next, 40 the next, an hour the next. Once you can leave him along for an hour, chances are you're pretty safe leaving him out of the crate. Most dogs will do what they're going to do within 30 minutes of being left alone. At any point he destroys something or eliminates in the house, go back to leaving him for the time amount he was able to deal with.
Being gone to work is normal for most families. Because you've chosen to bring a dog into the home, you'll need to be sure his needs are met. (Aside from the normal feeding and letting out). If you buckle down and start mentally stimulating him, you'll find that things get better. Even using treat dispensing toys will help if you just can't find the time to practice things daily (obedience, tricks, etc.) Again, though, he should be getting a 30 minute walk each day. Preferably prior to crating. It will tire him out and being a Basset, exercise is important to keep his back healthy later in life.
Google NILF. It's a great training method and will establish you as the leader which, in turn, will establish his role in the family. Being solid in his role will also help. :)
Keep in mind, too, that in addition to making you want to pull your hair out, his destructive habits are a physical danger to himself. He runs the risk of toenail damage (if he's scratching things), tooth damage and/or impaction (depending on what he's eating/swallowing). Keeping him crated until he understands what's expected of him will not only save your belongings but will keep him safe.
Because he's housebroken, you can get the largest crate you can afford to give him some more room. :)
