Chewing Everything

Question
QUESTION: We have a 4 month old Golden Retriever that chews on EVERYTHING. I have bought and sprayed Bitter Apple spray on the furniture but he also takes and chews up paper, toys, shoes, clothes, blankets
(everything) He has a ton of toys that he can chew up but he still goes after everything else.  How do we teach him what is ok to chew and what isn't?

ANSWER: 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.

A mousetrap is very effective in making a dog leave something alone. Most dogs will stay away from anywhere they were surprised by a snap. The best part is that it is not you that is correcting the dog. It works whether you are around or not. The mousetrap is very patient and is always on task as long as you reset it.

Better than mousetraps when you aren't around is the crate. 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: Thanks that is very helpful.  I am going to get a crate for him but I am worried about how long he is locked up.  Sometimes we are away for the entire day (like 8-5), is it ok to leave my puppy locked up for that long? What if he goes to the bathroom in the crate?  

Answer
We have done well leaving puppies 4-5 hours in a crate.  If you can't make it back to give him a mid day break, see if neighbor or a professional dog walker can.  If you force it to foul the crate by leaving it too long, it may be very hard to stop.  

After 6 months to a year, you could try doggy daycare.