QuestionHELLO NICOLE,
I am currently having trouble with my Bassetts. I have 2 boys they will be 1 on July 15.. The problem is when I leave them out side, they have recently been eating my porch.... I left them on there leashes for about a hour. When I came back to let them in they ate 5 poles off my railing on my porch.. Like beavers... The also ate the lattis...I also had to start placing them in there crates when I leave for work or bed because they have started eating my wood in my house! Thats all they chew is wood and of course that once a month flip flop...But what can I do with the wood..Are they lacking something...Because they had a problem with eating there feces.. They stopped and now its wood...Dunno what to do... It's very costly and annoying ... Thanks
AnswerI'm sorry Salenia, but I'm cracking up! Like beavers...lol!! I know it's not funny to you but it really is funny. :)
I share your pain, my BH went through 2 couches and a loveseat (all replacing the one before) before his Mr. Destructo days were over with.
I don't know what food you're feeding but if you're feeding a common bagged food, chances are they aren't lacking anything. Dogs chew out of boredom or stress...it's up to you to figure which it is.
Leaving them tied out on leashes is NEVER a good idea. There has been many a dog strangled by being tethered in this manner. They are much safer (as is your house) being crated...keep to it!
The only way to curb this habit is to make sure they are getting plenty of exercise (walks are important for their backs as well) and correcting them when they start to chew. If you aren't around when they're doing it, there's nothing for you to correct. You have a 2 second window to either praise or correct behavior.
If they do it in front of you, clap your hands loudly to distract them and tell them 'eh-eh'. Walk them away from the wood. This might take 5 times, it may take 500...you'll need to gather up all your patience.
If they are NOT doing it in front of you, there's nothing you can do, unfortunately, about correcting the behavior. What you can try, though, is spraying down the wood with bitter apple spray or another deterant (from the pet store)...they may or may not work.
Your best bet is to keep them crated when you're gone and keep an eye on them when you're home. :)
