Agressive chewing

Question
QUESTION: Recently adopted a female black lab/retrieve mix we exercise the her an average of 3 hrs a day- walking or swimming/fetching. Yet when we get home she sledom lays down and looks for things to chew/ destroy. She has a Kong (with treats) buit still chews up her blankets in her bed or any thing else she cna get ahold of. Is this to be expected, can this behavior be changed?

ANSWER: Most young Labs and Goldens are that way.  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 her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.  When you can't watch it, crate it.  

Other dogs may not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for dogs to open too.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate. Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.


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

QUESTION: Sounds like this is typical behavior. You mentioned peanut butter in the Kong... any brand or is there some we should avoid for a dog?
Today we put her in her crate (door open) in a kennel outside w/water (temps around 34degrees) she will be there about 8 hours before we can get home, new to dog ownership, is this okay?

Answer
Any old peanut butter that you would eat should be fine.  

I don't think a crate will give her the protection she needs to be out all day in the cold.  It would different for a dog outside all the time that can grow a heavy coat as the weather cools.  If somebody could make it back over lunch to give her a break, you could leave her in the house in the crate.  Perhaps you could find a neighbor or a professional dog walker to give her a break.  If you are going to leave her out, she needs a good tight dog house, just big enough for her, an offset door, and plenty of straw or other bedding.  

If you leave her out in the summer, she needs a secure water dish and shade.