my labs chewing problem

Question
I have a 1 1/2 yr. old black lab. She likes to chew most everything. However, she doesn't chew any furniture or really any large items. Mainly she likes to pull tags off from shirts (she's quite good at getting it off without ripping the shirt) or zippers from her bed or backpacks. She'll shred any soft toy (loves pulling stuffing out of things). She's crated most of the day and we keep most everything away from her but she'll put her legs through the slots in the crate and bring things to her even if you think they're far enough away or out of her reach. If she can't reach something then she'll find a wire and eat it into tiny shreds. I've bought every kind of toy imagined which she'll either eat within an hour or get bored with it within an hour. She only destroys things when we're not home, which leads me to believe she's bored and may have a little separation anxiety. I have rarely caught her "in the act" which makes disciplining her difficult. She has no other behavior problems. She knows who is boss and listens very well in every other aspect. I'm at an end's loss here.

Answer
Hello, Tera. You're right when you say she's probably bored while you're away. Have you tried Nylabones? If not, you might give one a try. Go with the ones that are labled "Durable" (like the one pictured here: http://www.nylabone.com/products/non-edible/durable-chews/chicken-flavor-bone.ht... ). It doesn't have to be huge; in fact, I get the 'Wolf' size. I have two German shepherds and a pitbull/chow cross. They last a good long time, and none of my dogs (all of whom are power chewers and destroy just about anything else I give them) have managed to break off pieces of these.

You might also try buying a black Kong (http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/3531.jpg) and smearing something yummy on the inside to keep her occupied. You can use just about anything, but here are a few ideas:

1. peanut butter
2. cream cheese
3. canned dog or cat food (the 'ground' kind)
4. plain, canned pumpkin
5. liver mush
6. plain yogurt
7. any of the above with some dry food mixed in

Remember to feed her slightly less if you decide to go this route, because she's liable to pack on some excess weight, as labs are prone to do! Do not completely fill the Kong, but rather use a knife to smear it all around on the inside. Then, freeze the Kong overnight to help make it last longer and make less of a mess. ;^)


I'd suggest not buying any more plush toys for a while. She may grow out of the 'dismembering stuffies' stage, and she may not. She's still young, especially for a lab, so she still has some maturing to do.

The only thing I can suggest, as far as keeping her from tearing shirt tags and zippers off, is to not let her out of your sight, even for a moment, when she's out of her crate. If she's reaching out and pulling things in to her while she's crated, then put the crate in the center of the room, or consider getting a solid-walled crate. Surely you can position it so that she is not able to reach out and get ahold of things.

Are you able to perhaps keep her outside during the day, in a secure kennel or if your yard is fenced? That might be a viable option as well.


I'd recommmend that you keep with the obedience training, and also exercise her more. Take her for at least one, 30-45 minute walk each day, and play with her to help tire her mind and body out.