So...The new dog is destructive. Need Pet Advise, please!!

We got a dachshund a couple of weeks ago. She's a sweet dog, but we've noticed some problems. She's chewed up the wall in the kitchen trying to gnaw her way out of it. Today Skip came home, and rather than the usual everything being topsy turvy, the foam that made up the bed was everywhere. In small Pieces. She ripped open the cover and tore it up completely. THe only thing left in tact was the pillow that went inside it. We think she's really bored during the day, but she doesn't really play with toys. We leave the tv on for noise.
What do we need to do here?! We're at a complete loss. We have a small kennel that we're going to have to keep her in for eight hours a day if we can't figure something out. She was kennel trained before we got her, but I didn't want to leave her in there all day. I really hate to do that, but what else can I do? Can someone please help us out? Thanks.
Duckie

It sometimes work, sometimes doesn't.

Avoid the "sour apple" spray. Some dogs like that. Go for the real stuff.

Some dogs freak out from boredom or fear of being alone during the day.

Some dogs do much better when there's another dog with them. They keep each other company.

I have heard of vets prescribing meds to calm animals down so they are less destructive. Though I don't know if I really like that idea. :(

Still, consulting your vet might be a good idea. Whatever you do, I hope you find a solution. :hug:

:hi: :loveya:

She needs a dog companion or to be tired out at night to sleep during the day. Maybe try a long walk in the morning?

Didn't have that problem
Have had with some of our German Shepherds when they were puppies.
How old is she?

Some dogs are just destructive when left alone.
Maybe telling you they don't WANT to be alone?

Whatever.
I understand about not wanting to leave her cooped up.
Could you leave her in a bathroom where she can have room to move around but not much she can tear up?
Get rid of bathmats, towels she can reach, etc.
And flip the shower curtain up over the rod where she can't reach it.
Give her a nice treat when you get home as a reward for being 'good'.
Good luck, Duckie.
It's frustrating

our pup stayed in it for the first few months. it isn't punnishment. they actually grow to like it as their "den"

you can ween him off when he is a little older a little at a time

:D

Maybe my experience is different due to different breeds, but I've had the best results with my dogs by avoiding the kennel as much as possible in the early days. It's true they can grow to like it, but I found personally that the breeds we owned adjusted far quicker to "house rules" if we kept an eye on them and gave them free run for a few days. If Duckie can't do this for whatever reason, perhaps the kennel is a better option than the kitchen, but part of me still doesn't like it. Again, this might be only my experience talking, but I've raised a few new dogs that despise the kennel early on.

ask any vet. especially smaller breeds

And was told anything over 5 hours is too much. Especially for young dogs. In fact, I was told not to expect a dog to go longer without a "bathroom break" than I can go myself. Do you go 8 hours without peeing?

i used to come home to let him out when he was little (but i worked close to home).

I worked for 2 vets in my youth and they both recommended kennels for a variety of reasons. if you can't get home to let him/her out, have a neighbor do it for you.

but all in all kennel training is a great way to go.

My beagle has three kennels--one on each floor. She practically lives in them, of her own free will. But I never close her in one for more than a few hours--like three or four. If I had to keep her locked up for longer than that, I'd have found her a better home. They are living creatures and need attention and stimulation.

The dog will be so busy chasing the cat it won't have time to chew anything up.

If the dog ignores the cat, it will attack.

A new dog is a tremendous responsibility. It needs a week or so of near-constant contact with its owners to adjust to a new environment, become thoroughly house-trained, and get an idea what the rules of the house are. You can't leave a new dog alone all day without attention or it will find ways of getting your attention. Once the dog is used to the surroundings, its owners and their rules, leaving it alone for more time is acceptable. Can you put a dog run out back?

in Oklahoma.

in July.

for 8 hours?

use the kennel and train on the weekends

and actually help the dog as it provides an instinctive den. they feel safe there

I think you make a good point. I have heard from several vets years ago that it's OK. People who keep working dogs do it a lot.
Duckie

It may be the differing breeds' behavioral inclinations, their individual personalities, or whatever--suffice to say I found new-dog adjustment went a lot easier when 6+ hour kennel alone-time was delayed for a week or so.

BUT - I changed my work schedule for the first month I had my new dog so that she wouldn't be home alone for more than 4 hours at a go. Once we bonded and we had established our pack dynamic, I was able to leave her in the crate for 7-8 hours when needed.

I recommend these books - The Art of Raising a Puppy and How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend, both by the Monks of New Skete. http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

We were told when we got the dog, that they were leaving her in her kennel for hours. She's always been in an apartment. She's two. She actually likes the kennel. When we first got her, it was her security blanket. I guess I should have realized it.
Duckie

We still get out and do stuff for a couple hours, but we usually leave her in the kitchen (baby gate, obviously not working) or let her roam free if we'll be gone for less than two hours.
Duckie

We've had so many big, loud storms lately, I wonder if that's aggravating her somewhat?

I would caution you on the crate if it's wire--I used to crate my BT when I first got her. Maggie seemed to do just fine until I came home one day and found that she had somehow pried open the hooks that held the top to the sides and squeezed out a space about 4 inches wide. I walked in and there she was at the door, all happy to see me, and the crate door was CLOSED AND LATCHED. It totally freaked me out--she could have easily strangled herself. I don't know how she could possibly have done that--I can hardly pull it apart, and she did it TWICE. Luckily, she's really good about staying out, so I quit the crate really fast after that.

Good luck--I'm sure you'll figure something out.

Maybe she needs a couple of days per week at doggie day care. There are a couple in town, but unfortunately they're not close to downtown.

BUt if she's in, she's fine. Didn't even move last night when we had our loudest one.
Duckie

And, from what you say, her previous routine was to be crated during the day. There is NOTHING wrong with crating an adult dog, especially one already crate trained. Her routine is already disrupted by going to a new home. Are you placing her crate in the kitchen when you're gone? If not, she could be freaking about being kept away from her safe spot.

Many people view crating as cruel or a punishment, it is not when done properly. Many a dog has been made much happier and more secure with crate training.

on National Geographic channel. Starts at 8pm.
His techniques have really helped our dogs.

My first advice is to enroll your dog in obedience class. Not just because they need to learn to obey, but because it stimulates their brains, gives them a sense of purpose. Most instructors will want you to practice 15 minutes once or twice a day. This gives your dog something to focus on when your with her, and she'll be less bored, even when you're away.

I also recommend feeding her with one of the many devices that require she work to get her food--a molecuball or Buster Cube. My beagle is fed in a "molecule ball" that she has to roll around to make her food come out. I give her this just before I leave for work in the morning, and another "dose" in the evening.

And walking, walking, walking!! I walk my dog at least twice a day. Again, this stimulates her. Also gives her something to look forward to.

I guess if I had to emphasize one of these, it would be to get one of the "food-dispensing" toys, so your dog is working for at least part of the time you're gone.

Oh, and consider using rescue remedy or another relaxant for her.

Once in the morning, once when we get home, once mid evening and once before we go to bed, weather permitting. We know Dachshunds are prone to being overweight.
Duckie

Mine goes to class once a week, and has friends there, and likes the instructor, and loves to do the work between classes. We walk in the local park with lots of kids, other dogs, people. We also go to a dog park about once a week, where she runs with other dogs. And she has toys up the yin-yang! Not to mention three cat siblings.

I treat my dog like a kid. Whenever there's a "dog activity" in town, we're there. They are living creatures with brains and personalities and interests. They like their crates, but they shouldn't spend all day every day there.

And I treat her like a princess. She doesn't know what to do with toys. She has a little pink baby bear her Granny gave her, yes, she calls herself her Granny, and she carries her around. She just doesn't fetch.
I don't have the money for classes, and as for attention, people fall all over themselves when they see her while we're on our walks. We are out for at least a half an hour each time. We live near the OKC National Memorial, so people are always in our neighborhood, and we live in a high rise apartment building, so there's people here all time.
I wish I could afford to take her to doggy day care every day, but I can't. So, I have to do what I have to do.
Duckie

ALL dogs need obedience training--at least "puppy kindergarten". Anything less is negligence.

That's a joke, right?

imperative? negligence? go overboard in your judgementalism much?

I used to think the kennels were mean. I have since seen them work and work well. The dogs aqctually like having a space of their own.

Once the dog grows out of the terrorist stage you can just leave the kennel opened and it'll prolly go in it on his own.

:hi:

Remember that almost everything is a learning process for your pup. Right now she probably doesn't know that its not ok to tear up the bed or eat the walls.
Patience seems to work better than frustration when training a dog. (Easier said than done, right?)

For a while I used a child gate to section off a room that I puppy-proofed instead of keeping my dog in a kennel.

If there are specific type things that your pup tends to chew on, try getting some "sour apple" spray. That almost instantly cured my Beagle of his chewing. They sell it at most pet stores.

A toy that can hold a puppy's short attention often involves a treat or reward. They sell different types of toys that you can hide a biscuit in. But they often lack the instant gratification factor that gets a dog interested in the first place. Try putting some peanut butter in a water bottle. That'll keep most dogs busy for quite some time.

and...

GOOD LUCK!

train them, and return them better behaved. This is a bit expensive, but it would cure you of the frustration of her destructive behaviors.

For people who have a lot of money.

Repairing your kitchen will cost money too. It's a matter of where you want to spend it.

None of the other suggestions I made cost much. You can shop around for obedience classes. There's a wide range of rates.

Dogs aren't free. If you wanted something cheap and easy, you should have gotten fish.

I don't want something cheap and easy, but I can't spend thousands so someone else can raise my dog. I want to do it myself. Hence the asking for advice.
I understand where you are coming from and I get it.
Duckie

We had one come to the house to help us with our second dog and it made a big difference and its a hell of a lot cheaper than sending the dog to boarding school for a few weeks.

I would start using the kennel again. My wife was against it and that was fine when we just had one dog but once the second dog arrived they would get into all kinds of mischife during the day. You may find that she likes going in it to take naps on her own.

traits -and within that, each dog has it's own personality.

Here's something about Daschunds that might be helpful.

Also call the Dachshund Rescue Group in your area and see if there isn't a member who does some 'training'. I used to have a young woman come to my home 2x a week to work my Dobermans. (I worked long days). They loved it and I felt less guilty about not being there. It shouldn't be very expensive. Explain your situation. Dog lovers like to help other dog lovers.

You might also check the library for a dachshund breeders book with training hints.

so they can keep each other company. Always has
worked for us. Maybe the breeder has a "loaner pup"
so you can see if it works with your little one.
She sounds bored and lonely. Good luck.

I have two kitties(brothers) who are
too busy annoying each other to become bored.

That's when they're not sleeping.

Hi, Duckie!

:hi:

1. Another dog for companionship
2. The Dog Whisperer -- if you don't have cable TV, you can get a DVD from Cesar's web site

They also chewed up a linoleum floor. They grew out of it, though.

www.amazon.com/How-Behave-Your-Dog-Behaves/dp/0793805430

It's called How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves

Ms. Yin gives a nice capsule summary of the history of domesticated dogs, and uses the knowledge of that history to provide useful insights into the way to think like a dog. Much of the book is a rehashing of operant conditioning (for anyone who remembers Psych 101), but it's a good jumping off point for learning how your dog thinks and why she does certain things (like being destructive when left alone).

I do recommend a crate, but you might want to break her in slowly to it, because I agree that eight hours can be a long time - no dog wants to have an accident, but they especially don't want to have one in their den; and 8 eight hours is a lot to ask of the wee bladder of a dachshund (pun, sadly, intended).

I am assuming this is a pup, like mine was. He chewed up my shoes and other items in the house when I was at work. Part of it was anxiety of being left alone in a new environment, I'm sure. But the other thing that seemed to help was getting better nutrition. (He was a stray that I adopted at the shelter) He was malnurished to say the least. Once his nutrition improved on a regular basis, he stopped most of his chewing behavior.

Use it.

she needs food toys. way more interesting than toy toys.
and use the crate. she'll be ok. mycritters think all animals are people. the dog whisperer is great, and rails pretty constantly about people who think dogs are their babies.

Some people have issues with crate training but I have found it to be simply the best method for preventing destructive behavior and for potty training. A well-stuffed Kong will keep puppy occupied for a long time (you can even freeze stuff in there so it feels good for a teething puppy). I would also suggest leaving on the radio or TV at a soft volume so that your dog isn't distracted by every noise from outside.

and expecting them to pee on a human schedule is, well, cruel. Locking up a dog because its behavior in inconvenient for you shows you should be doing something other than owning a dog.

Really, get fish. You put 'em in a bowl or tank, and they never need to come out a again. Works just the way some here use a dog crate.

f'ing dangerous? eating non-food items can be a real dangerous hobby for a dog to have.
i've had dogs all my life. they all seemed to make it through the night without peeing, all seemed to make it through the day when i had to work. millions of people have both jobs and dogs. some of those dogs are unhappy, some are happy as they can be. not really a solid correlation there.
jeez.

None of them have ever been crated for a full 8 hour day. Nor has any of them engaged in the kind of destructive behavior described in the OP. Not once.

There are ways to care for a dog which do not entail locking it in a crate all day. But the OP doesn't want to put forth the effort or spend the money to do those things.

The writer of the OP should invest the time and money to have a well-behaved dog. Or get a goldfish.

And you're rude and I'm really glad I didn't listen to you about it. I'm putting forth a lot of effort, why else would I post for advice, but I'm not going to spend HUNDREDS (I don't have) on fixing a problem that has been fixed in 24 hours by crating my dog. Sorry you don't like it, but my dog was happier, more playful and better behaved today than she has been in weeks. All thanks to Matcom encouraging me to crate her.

Sounds like you've done the right thing and you'll all be happier as a result (even your dog!). You know, even human babies are confined out of harms way when they're not being directly supervised.

The way I look at it, it's part of the deal of domestication. There's give and take on the part of both the animal and the person and there's no denying that animals live longer and healthier lives as a result.

making you the lord high poobah of who should have a dog and how they should treat it.
you have got to be in the top ten most sanctimonious know-it-alls on du.

locked up. I can see how that's hard for you to grasp.

We let her have water from the time we get home until the time we take her out for the last time, and she drinks a lot of it. She pees in the morning, then has no more water until we get home and let her out. She's FINE. There were no accidents, and she held it for like a quarter mile to her favorite spot down like two blocks. She's better behaved than she's been for weeks.
You need to realize that there are valid opinions other than just your own.
And, Sweetie, talking in the third person is pretentious.
Duckie

to destroy, and she didn't destroy anything. Well done. Oh, and they never pee in their crate, no matter how badly they need to. Doesn't mean they don't need to.

My dog spent the day looking out her favorite window and hanging with her cat siblings. She wasn't locked up and she didn't destroy anything.

And the word "Sweetie' is sexist and condescending.

it is a PERFECT training device and not cruel at all. and, sweetie, the little pup was MUCH happier for it than she has been.

me thinks you need a grip

This means they should have access to a den, and be able to go into it...when the dog chooses. My dog has three dens--one on each floor. She spends much time there. But I rarely close one with her in it, and never for more than a couple of hours (again, rarely that).

What a dog needs is attention and stimulation. Not being locked in a small space. I don't doubt the dog seemed happy--to seem her guardians and to be let out of the crate. I'd have seemed happy too.

But again, a happy dog can be happy without being locked up all day. Locking them up is easy. And cheap, which, you'll recall, was an important factor for the OP.

I've got a grip. And a dog with a Canine Good Citizen certificate who can do rally obedience work off leash...who's never destroyed my kitchen.

I also crate trained my 14 yr old shepherd/keeshound mix when he was a puppy.

My lab puppy CRIES to get into her crate when she is tired. She will get frustrated with us sometimes if we are in her way when she is trying to enter it.

Speak to that which you know. Allow others the same respect. I would not presume to tell YOU what to do with your pets or your children, please show the same respect to others.

before you got her. 2 years is an adult dog. If she had been trained for two years to have a certain type of routine and now it is changing, her adjustment period will be substantial. The chewing could possibly be the result of the possibility that she was not left ALONE without the crate for most of her young life so she still is not aware of proper behavior when she is suddenly left alone without her crate. A dog can happily exist with a few favored objects in a crate for several hours.


If i might make a suggestion...try keeping her crated for at least two days while you are away at work. If possible RECORD the sounds. If she is in a limbo as to which style she prefers she may whine or whimper the first day. If she is genuinely more comfortable in the crate the sounds she makes should decrease by the second day. If not try leaving her crate open and available to her during the day.

Since you have not commented on any "accidents" while she is outside the crate on days you and your husb. work, i would have to assume the worry over 8 hours being to long without a potty break are unfounded. A crate trained dog who is un crated for an period of time that is to long for their bladder to handle would have found an "out of the way" spot to urinate already.

Truth is, what is most important, is that the DOG is allowed to feel as comfortable as she possibly can while conforming to the family she now resides with. Everyone will have an anecdote or opinion but YOU will know your dog best (much like a parent knows her child best). Listen to what she is trying to tell you. And best of luck.

Crating was a great idea. SHe's more playful and happy than she has been since we got her. THanks for the encouragement.
Duckie

dog. I agree with the kenneling suggestions. With our last puppy, a whippet, we kept him kenneled when we weren't home and at night when we were housebreaking him and the furniture destruction with him was only an old chair that he had help with from his older fur brother whippet. You might want to try a DEP defuser. They are supposed to help with seperation anxiety. Many greyhound owners swear by them. Our greys were pretty mellow and didn't seem to need them. I believe that PetsMart sells them. Another suggestion is to get get a kong (type of dog toy) and fill it with peanut butter. Dogs love the taste and it takes them some time to get it out of the kong so they are kept active.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html

These paragraphs seem especially relevant:

Too Much Time In The Crate. A crate isn't a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. For example, if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again all night, he's spending too much time in too small a space. Other arrangements should be made to meet his physical and emotional needs.

And:

Separation Anxiety. Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but he may injure himself in an attempt to escape from the crate. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counter-conditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help.

I'd go with crating for the time being. She's only been there 2 weeks, and not knowing her backstory, I'm inclined to think that she is suffering a little separation anxiety.

If you worried about crating her for 8 hours, I can understand. She's a small dog, so buy a bigger crate. Get something like the 1648 model from the Life Stages line made by Midwest. It folds up and will store easily overnight. Put lots of toys in there. She'll have a ton of extra space, and she'll be safe (as will your personal belongings).

FLvegan, she's done so well today, and she's like a different dog, more playful and happier than she has been in a while. She feels more secure, and wasn't crying when I walked in like she usually was. I think the crate is back to stay. Thanks everyone who has encouraged it.
:grouphug:
Duckie

i know both of you will be ready to open that crate door, but walk away when she whines, and don't take her out until she stops. you might have to go halfway with that for a few days. but do not reinforce her neediness and separation problems.
and don't let mycritters make you feel like a bad dog mom.
i highly recommend the dog whisperer. he has a book also. so many of the little things i have learned from him work like a charm.
take care duckie. good luck. hey- what is her name? is she the only dog?

And I am currently owned by 2 of them. The first one I had was really destructive, chewing anything that had value -- shoes, clothing, furniture, hats, towels -- I guess he kinda liked chewing cloth. One of my current dogs likes to get ahold of toilet paper and confetti the whole bathroom. My other current likes to take trash out of baskets in the bathrooms and spread it all over the house. He is especially fond of spreading my most intimate trash around the house if you know what I mean. So when I had these 3 together the bathrooms would get destroyed. But I found that taking the toilet paper off of the roller, putting the trash up high and removing all towels would keep my bathrooms in tip-top shape. I also found that they were much happier spending the day in our half-bath/laundry room than they were if they were left out. I think they felt that they only had to defend the one room and not the whole house, so they were less anxious in there.

If yours gets peace from being in the crate, leave her in the crate! But maybe leave her a little water just in case she gets thirsty. Mine only drink what they need and don't (usually!) have accidents. Have faith in how you know your dog and don't let the anti-crating folks make you feel bad for doing what you know is best for your dog.

And good luck! :hug: