Puppy Problem - long

[leighe]

I was crying when I came to work today because I had to put our puppy in her kennel for the day. She is a 7 month old beagle/? mix and she weighs about 30 lbs. When we took her (my sister rescued her but couldn't keep her because of her living situation) we made it clear that she would have to be an inside dog - because of neighboorhood fencing situation. The first vet my sister took her to said she was probably a beagle/small to medium breed mix and would be about 20-25 lbs. Okay - great.

Well, she is now obviously going to be bigger than that. Although she is really sweet, she is the most willful dog I have ever seen! Even our vet said so. He told us an electric/invisible fence probably wouldn't work for her. My MIL and I were getting ready to take her for a walk at MIL's house. MIL slipped her leash under this wrought iron park bench type thing while she ran the mail in the house (she does the same thing with their full grown lab) and Maggie (the puppy) didn't want to wait so she managed to pull the bench off of their porch! I can't even pick the thing up it's so heavy. She strained so hard to do it that she left a little trail of poo behind her. She's been to puppy training and is really good about bathroom, coming when called, things like that. The problem is that she is absolutely destroys things when we leave her in the house - even with the baby gates up. Instead of knocking the gate over - which she probably could do - she chewed up the wall and the woodwork so she could squeeze through. So far she's totally destroyed a door, an antique chair, and about a million pair of shoes - yes, we have finally learned to put them up.

Any ideas? I can live with this if it's just a puppy thing that will pass. I just hate to have to keep her penned up in her kennel all day - I'm gone from about 7:45 - 3:30.

Help Dis experts!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I got 2 puppies 2 months ago. Both of them are 5 months. Yes, lots of fun.

#1) Dogs need exercise, exercise, exercise. This dog needs to be walked prior to you going to work for at least 40 mins. And it needs to walk at a heel at your side, not all over the place.

#2) I would crate during the day.

#3) Evening walk at a heel.

Do this daily. It is hard at first but it will do 2 things, release the energy for the dog AND train your dog that you are the pack leader (must walk at a heel).

 

[goofyforlife]

It could be a puppy thing ...or it could be that you have a dog that will suffer from seperation anxiety and destroy stuff when left alone....

If it's the latter...Your vet might be able to prescribe something similar to doggie prozac. (just to relax her; not really drug her).

Good luck....

And don't feel too guilty about leaving her in her cage....Most dogs will sleep all day when left alone....As long as the kennel is big enough and is comfy (i.e. has a pillow or blanket)....

 

[leighe]

Great advice! She gets a walk in the morning (probably only about 20-30 minutes though) and a long walk the afternoon - maybe I should make the morning walk longer. I just feel guilty about leaving her shut up all day. She was crying so when I left the house this morning I thought my heart was going to break!

 

[crazee4mickey]

We have a 6 month old lab and he chews absolutely everything!! We have a huge yard and built a 6 foot high fence-there were 2 spots which were about 4-5 feet and he jumped those like nothing!
He has eaten holes in our deck, all of the kids toys in the backyard, shoes---as my parents say "you wouldn't put the stuff he chews into a newborn babies crib for fear they would chew on it and choke, so why would you in a puppies yard?" I hadn't thought of it like that before, but it makes sense.
We put him in his large indoor kennel when we are at work and school-we come home at lunch so he gets to come out and play--plus he gets tons of exercise morning, noon and night but he still finds trouble! I think its just a puppies nature, not sure how much is just related to being a puppy but we hope he grows out of it someday!

 

[icebrat001]

I think it's a mental game when the dog cries when you leave. My dogs do that, but within 3 minutes they shut up. I think they cry because often times when you hear them crying you feel bad for them and give them the attention they want.

Our dogs have crates but when we are gone they are good and don't destroy the house or potty so they get the entire house. When we are home we put them in the crate for an hour or so to get crate time, and often times, they choose to sleep in their crate at night or nap time.

I guess it just depends on the dog.

Have you looked into a personal trainer to come to the house? they can work wonders on most dogs.

Goodluck

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Great advice! She gets a walk in the morning (probably only about 20-30 minutes though) and a long walk the afternoon - maybe I should make the morning walk longer. I just feel guilty about leaving her shut up all day. She was crying so when I left the house this morning I thought my heart was going to break!

Is she walking at a heel? That can make a difference.

How does she walk? Is she eyes on you, at your side OR looking all over the place?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

As long as she is getting a nice walk in the morning do not feel guilty about the kennel during the day! We kennel our dog at night and she does not mind at all. And in our case it's not that I'm concerned about Sheena getting into trouble at night, but if she were to see something (anything...) outside she would bark her ear-piercing bark and wake up the household and it gives our cats a break from her.

Make sure you give your dog a biscuit, etc as you are putting her in the crate. She will then start to associate the crate with a treat (didn't say that dogs are real smart LOL). Maybe give her a buster cube filled with some treats that she can play with/work on. Or one of those Kong toys (I think it's called Kong) that can be filled with peanut butter and frozen. Or a Booda velvet.

Also, make sure that the crate is big enough so that she has some room to move around.

Good luck and hang in there. You were wonderful to take the dog in!

T&B

 

[Hercules10]

Get a rubber hose and beat the crap out of her! JUST KIDDING!!

My 10 month old shepherd is part goat also. Goof-ball chews on everything and I really don't think it's a 'head of the pack' issue. Puppies chew and chew and chew. She gets 3-5 hours of play with her big brother, plus walks, and she'll still chews on whatever she can get her paws on.

Crating is fine. It's like their own little safe haven and they're happy.

Also get lots and lots of toys. We have a designated area for all her chew toys so she knows what's approved and what's not. Also circulate the toys. maybe get 9 chew toys, leave 3 out and change them daily so she doesn't get bored with the same toys.

Good luck and hang in there. It do get better!

 

[O2BNWDW]

I would leave the TV or the radio on for her when you are gone. That way if she is suffering from separation anxiety hearing the TV may help.
As far as chewing - well that is what puppies do. That is how they learn about the world around them. Not to mention teething.

Maybe you could get her a nylabone so that she has an "approved" chew toy. Chewing can also help them release anxiety.

Also be sure all bedding in the crate is Doggy approved. No towels or anything she could choke on and do not leave her collar on. As long as the crate is large enough that she can sit with her head not touching the roof and turn around comfortably she should be ok in it. Her crate will be "secure" place as you will soon see.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just want to add my pups are crated because they would both eat the house! They get to be out when someone is around to supervise. Alot of times they go "night-night" in their crate all on their own.

 

[sue1013]

Please don't fee guilty about crating the dog all day. I did feel bad when we crated ours all day. About 3 yrs ago I started working from home 2 days a week. The 2 days I am home those dogs do nothing but sleep all day! They don't want to go out just sleep. Since realizing what they do all day I no longer feel bad.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Also be sure all bedding in the crate is Doggy approved. No towels or anything she could choke on and do not leave her collar on.

OOPs...that is something I am not doing. So what is "approved". Everything I see the dogs can eat so I just gave them a blanket.

 

[Disney Doll]

As long as the crate is the propepr size for your dog, don't feel bad about leaving him in there. Their crate becomes like their bedroom, they like to go in there, they feel safe. Remember, dogs are by ancestry "den" and "pack" animals...when they are in their crates, they are in their den. Just don't use the crate as punishment.

When we first got Ted at 10 months old, he was quite "active" (some would have said hyper ). When he was getting too wound up, we'd put him in his crate with his cuddle toy and a cookie, and let him settle down. Sort of like a 'time-out" but not for being bad, just for settling down. There are times now where, if there is a lot of commotion in my house, Ted will go down and just lie in his crate.We leave the door open all the time now so he can go in & out at will. But he's 11, so he's not into the puppy stuff anymore, like chewing etc.

You do need to do obedience training with him though. If you don't know how to do it, then go to an obedience class with the dog. Dogs are pack animals, and will compete to be leader of the pack. You must take control and set the humans in your household up as the leader of your dog's "pack". At this point, your dog's pack is anyone who lives in your house. The dog should learn heel first, then sit, stay, down(lie down), come, off(get off). You must work with the dog daily and consistently with the commnads, and you must be consistent in giving the commands, as must everyone on your household. If you don't want the dog on the furniture, for example, everyone in the house must be sure not to let the dog on the furniture.

Also, because your dog is young, he may be teething, like a baby does. He must have many things to chew on at his disposal, and obviously they must be acceptable things. If there is a way to get a couple of his toys to have your scent on them, that would be good too.

The bottom line is a dog is like a child...they need to learn, through consistency & discipline (which does not include hitting the dog...not that I think you do, I'm just saying...)who is boss.

 

[Cyndirella]

Make sure you are not making a big deal out of leaving the house. I learned that if I make a big production out of leaving (lingering over her too long, telling her bye repeatedly, coming back to check on her, etc.) my dog would whine and give me a serious guilt trip. If I just say "Bye, be a good dog" and leave I don't hear a peep out of her.

She's not crated but is confined to the laundry/mud room area while we are gone. But - she's older and not a chewer. Next pup I get, I am definitely crating.

 

[WilmaBud]

If she's part beagle, the electric fence will not work. Beagles get on to a scent, and they are GONE! Even if you have a regular fence, you can leave them unattended for long period of time because they'll dig out. Also, beagles are generally obstinate (luckily, they're also sooo darn cute and loving ).

I'd definitely crate your pup. They actually come to love their crates, like the crate is their special haven. Don't feel guilty at all. It sounds as if you're very patient.

 

[Hercules10]

OOPs...that is something I am not doing. So what is "approved". Everything I see the dogs can eat so I just gave them a blanket.

Most pet stores have paddings for crates. This is important also to avoid hygromas. Hygromas are more in large breed puppies and is a result from them resting their elbows on hard surfaces before a callus can form to cushion the elbow.

Also here is a very good break away collar for those concerned with choking.

http://www.breakawaycollar.com/index.cfm

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks...I am still learning too.

 

[leighe]

Thanks so much for the replies. This helps a lot.

Usually she does walk at a heel - but she will take off after something from time to time. She also has certain chew toys. She's been to obedience training and is great when we're with her - she's just destructive when we're not around.

I'm going to try to extend her morning walk tomorrow and leave a treat with her in her kennel.

 

[JVL1018]

Is she walking at a heel? That can make a difference.

How does she walk? Is she eyes on you, at your side OR looking all over the place?

Any tips on how ot train a dog to do that?
We have a black lab who was a year in April.
She will pull my arm out of the socket when we go for walks.
I think part of the problem is that we rarely take her for walks.

We have a large fenced backyard where we play with her, throwing balls and such, but I'd like to take her for walks.
I just don't know how to train her to not yank. The only time she doesn't is after I run with her and she is tired. LOL