I have shared in other posts several examples of epic destruction from my dogs (all rescues). Being in a new environment can be very stressful.

Some dogs are just chewers... esp retrievers. My dogs will counter surf and they are 15 and 10. Everything goes up (we are also shitty trainers when it comes to consistency - easier to train us to put stuff up).

So those Kong toys that you can hide treats in - give them something to chew and work on - keeps their mind busy.

She isn't hungry (dogs are opportunists - they will eat whatever, whenever if given the chance... mine love litter covered kitty poop), just stress.

Also exercise the crap out of her - a tired dog is a happy dog.

I feel for you - I have lost a couch, chair, espresso machine (cord was eaten), lamps (more cords), plates shattered, apartment deposit poofed because of the damage done to carpeting, vet bills out the wazoo because not sure what was eaten and if toxic, countless garbage cans dragged around, underwear and handkerchiefs eaten, paper towels shredded, lots of clothes with pockets missing because I forgot I left treats in them, and that is the short list.

9.99 at Petco.

My husband: are you telling me you're buying one a day to keep her busy.

Me: That's easy for you to say.


I do exercise her as much as I can.

I just know that when they have had a chance to run their little hearts out they just conk out.

I am on the fence about those bones - they can really wear down the teeth (we used them a lot but now that our furballs are older, their teeth have been worn down from all the chewing).

Those kong toys are great...don't waste your time with the Kong filling or treats - just cram them with whatever you have at home. They are pretty indestructible (the red ones are for average chewers, black ones for monster chewers, I think they have different ones for seniors and pups).

Watching them try to figure out how to get the treats out is great. Esp when they figure out if they bounce them hard enough - then it's just great fun.

They make a thing called Rescue Remedy for dogs - it is aromatherapy of essential oils that calms them down (in case stress is an issue). I have used lavender essential oil on my older dog and she loves it.

I am giving you a big hug because I know the stress of a chewer. Take pictures and start a dog "shaming" (I don't think it's shaming when they look so pleased with themselves) instagram - man back in the day, my black Lab would have been an internet sensation

The Demon Dog herself.

i love her. She's up to something.

This is her with her BFF and partner in crime

And I don't mean chewed it apart. I mean he ate the damn foam from the cushions (of the second couch). That cost $1700 to remove from his belly. He also ate a brake seal, a chocolate cake I tossed in the trash (vet bill), garbage (which he then peed on), kitty rocha (and then he peed on the litter, but only after dragging it from the tile to the carpet to pee on).

Was your dog home alone? The aforementioned dog, the dearly departed Knuckles, had very bad separation anxiety. I couldn't leave for five minutes, and even if my husband was home with him, my leaving sent him into a panic.

I don't know if it mattered, but my old dog had used it a few times. So it probably had her scent on it. She had another bed that she loved dearly, and preferred. It was flat in the middle, but she was okay with it. I just bought the new dog a Kong bed. So far, so good.

The loaf of bread occurred just minutes after I returned and let her out.

There is something else I haven't mentioned. Yesterday, I found her with the top part of the garlic powder bottle. Garlic is supposed to be poisonous to animals. This is what is freaky. I found the sifter part of the bottle, but not the bottle or the garlic. There was no sign of garlic powder anywhere, and no smell of garlic from her mouth or elsewhere. I have seen her hide things before, so I looked around, but can't find the bottle anywhere, nor the garlic.

In the past she has sucked out toothpaste tubes and neosporin. I am worried she is going to eat something that will shorten her life. Right now, she seems indestructible.

She still thinks she is a puppy. At 43 pounds now and always wants to sit on my shoulder. Gah!

The garlic would've made her sick by now I guess...but that bottle missing is weird. Hopefully she buried it somewhere. My sister's dog does that: buries her "things." Knuckles used to bury rawhides in the yard, then dig them up months later...muddy, soggy, buggy messes.

My lab destructor just ripped the foam out and redecorated the studio apt with fluffs of foam everywhere.

All my dogs try to get the kitty litter and my poor cat always has his box vandalized. He is 17 so to make inaccessible to the dogs now, makes it inaccessible to him.

Chocolate - my lab ate so much chocolate. We became experts at administering the dosage of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. How did he get to the chocolate you may ask. The little fucker moved an office chair (wheels) across the studio apartment into the kitchen, climbed on the kitchen counter and opened the upper cabinets.

Why wasn't he in a kennel? He was - he could bust out.

Separation anxiety is something that needs to be discussed more...IMO.. nothing can prepare you for a hard core anxious dog. They have a determination that blows the mind.

I will admit there are times when I just have to sit back and admire the destruction. Like when my lab pushed his water dish to the chair (my one remaining piece of living room furniture when I had the studio) to destroy. I was so smart...I sprayed that chair with a bottle of bitter apple. So he would lick it off, rinse then chew and repeat. Man I miss that dog

That dog was a nutcase. He would dig under the fence and run laps around the house, then pass out on the front porch. Once, I came home from work and saw the dogcatcher chasing him down the street; I pulled over in my car, opened the door and he jumped right in.

But the kitty rocha...oh the kitty rocha.

Vet: Heartland Animal Hospital, how can I help you?
Me: This is nadine_mn
Vet: Oh Hello, Lienie? (name of destucto Lab)
Me: Yes
Vet: What did he eat?

Then the options: He'll be fine, bring him in, or induce vomiting.

His file at the vet was easily 2-3 inches thick. Our other dog's file was just a few pieces of paper.

Our vet referred to kitty rocha as crunchies... frickin' delicacy in our house.

Dried or fresh, doesn't matter. I literally have to race her to the box once it is, um, detected, which is difficult, 'cause her nose, knows much faster than mine.

You like them to be smart, but not too smart.

She does prefer to snuggle than sleep on her dog mat on the floor.

Going for the DNA test next month.

kept busy enough to tire them out for naps etc.