Chewing

Question
I read with great interest your answer to another dog owner about mousetraps keeping a dog from chewing.  I have a 20 month old black lab mix, tremendously sweet but a mad chewer.  He was neutered at 18 months, right after I adopted him from a shelter.  I keep him in a crate when I'm not within watching distance, he and I are in obedience class, and my voice sounds like something out of a horror film when I discipline him these days.  We're making progress, but still.  How would I use a mousetrap to change his behavior?  I worry about injuring him seriously--after all, those things kill the little critters.  I'd be on tenterhooks if I set a mousetrap and then waited in another room for it to go off on his nose or paw and him to howl.  Is it safe?

Answer
I have used them for years with no problems even with relatively young puppies.  There is another technique I have never used that you might be more comfortable with.  

Counter Surfing

Does your Foster Puppy counter surf; constantly checking the tables and counters for a tasty morsel that he is sure was left there just for him? If so, teach him The Can Can! For The Can Can you will need about 6 cans (empty pop cans with a few rocks or pennies inside them and a little piece of duct tape over the hole works well). Stack the cans in a pyramid on top of a piece of cardboard or paper to which you have attached a piece of string. Tie the string to the object that your Foster Puppy most desires from the counter top. It may be a dish towel or if it is food he is seeking, use a paper towel that you have used to pat down a piece of meat or maybe some meat juice. Then wait. When the object is snatched from the counter top the pyramid of cans will come crashing down, startling the thief. Your puppy will be caught in the act red pawed! You have just created a self correction! It may take several repetitions to get the point across, but soon your puppy will decide that it just isn't worth taking the chance.

Longer range, the trend is away from aversive techniques.  Damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice give it an ''Ah, ah, ah!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of his toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.