2. 5 year old Golden Retriever who eats everything!

Question
I have a 2.5 year old Golden Retriever who has been eating everything in my
apartment.  He didn't chew at all when he was 3 months- 1 year old.  It just
keeps getting worse and worse.  He started chewing paper or plastic when I
would leave the house.  I "dog proof" the house before I leave, but in the past
two weeks, he has figured out how to get up on the counter and tables to find
things to chew.  Last week he got in my kitchen cabinet and ate an entire box
of Sudafed!  Yesterday he got in my sewing box and chewed up needles.  I am
afraid for his health!  I can't find a crate big enough to hold him (he is huge!)
and he digs holes if I leave him in his dog run.  I work from home, so he gets
lots of attention all day.  If I leave him for 5 minutes he will eat something.   
What can I do?  Is there any type of humane muzzle that would work?  If so,
could he drink water with it on?  I am at my wits end!  

Answer
Your are right to be concerned about his health.  Check the Sudafed label.  Acetophen and Ibruprophen can be deadly to dogs.  I think you should be able to find a crate for him.  It only needs to be big enough for him to stretch out in.  You could also go to a tie down.  That is just a short length of chain firmly anchored at one end and a snap at the other.  

Stronger leadership would help too.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm