training issue... chewing advice needed!

Chic · 03-24-2008, 07:13 AM

A little background....

We got a lab mix from the pound last July. According to the pound they thought she was around nine months old then.... that would make her around 1 1/2 years old now. Right after we got her she didn't chew things... until we had had her about two weeks. Then she chewed our hose in the back yard. It has totally escilated from there. She has been very destructive... lawn chairs, another hose, grill cover, bug zapper cord, toys, shoes, whatever she can get her hands on... or should I say teeth. In the house or outside. We have been using the "replacement" training method. Giving her something she can chew on (her own dog toys) to replace what she is not supposed to chew on. That worked pretty well for a while but it's not working now. At first, She would only do it when we weren't around so we started crating her while we were gone... now she will do it if I'm in another room or even in the same room and just not paying attention. She's getting sneaky about it.

This morning we found the TV remote chewed beyond repair. She was crated last night so she must have done it before bed and we just didn't catch her. To DH this was the ultimate no no. He's ready to take her back to the pound.

Anyone have any idea what to do or try next?

Jess6092 · 03-24-2008, 07:20 AM

She needs a JOB! How often do you take her for walks? Do training sessions? She has a lot of pent up energy and needs to learn a positive way to use it. Did you do any obedience or puppy classes with her? I also highly suggest beginner agility classes! I bet you will see a huge difference when you start spending time making her do something productive with her energy. Plus it's always fun for the humans too! Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm no expert but I do have lots of experience with those energetic pups!

short_kid · 03-24-2008, 07:22 AM

My parents have a chocolate lab that would do the same thing. His favorite thing to chew was anything electrical. He had destroyed two out door swings, he eat the seats of my girls bikes, Chewed the cable that came off the satellite dish. I don't know how many times dad had to repair vehicles because Cash chewed the wires off them for towing. It would just go on and on and on. They tried giving him something else to chew on, it didn't work. They tried using the no chew spray, but you can't spray everything. He is now kept kenneled unless someone is outside with him. Dad got a shock collar last year and put it on him. Never let him see the remote. Anytime he was caught in the act of chewing on something he got a poke. He is better about chewing but only if you are out with him.

Chic · 03-24-2008, 07:58 AM

I haven't done a training session with her in a while. We covered the basic sit, lay down, heel, come and stay plus she can do a couple tricks like roll over, turn around, and shake left or right on cue. She is very energetic so maybe she just needs more time. She didn't really show an interest in fetch at all... one of the biggest energy burners of all time.

I've been tossing around the idea of trying to train her to chase geese. I run a campground that is on a lake and we have a horrible goose problem. If I could teach her to chase them but not catch them that would be great. Any ideas on training methods for that?

Oh, and I rarely take her for walks. She goes outside alot and we have a large yard. Our other dog is older and not into playing anymore. Maybe a companion would help.... although I hesitate to get another energetic dog.

gbarmranch · 03-24-2008, 08:15 AM

She needs to be walked - playing in the yard doesn't push her enough to get rid of that energy labs are noted for.. or play fetch with her until she is tired out a few times a day.. it will alleviate a lot of those issues you are having now...

pasomystic · 03-24-2008, 08:29 AM

Agree with above advice. A tired high energy dog is a good high energy dog!
The chewing is her only outlet if she is not well exercised. This is why it is so important to know the breed requirements before picking a new family member, research beforehand saves both belongings and dog lives.

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03-24-2008, 07:13 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	training issue... chewing advice needed! A little background.... We got a lab mix from the pound last July. According to the pound they thought she was around nine months old then.... that would make her around 1 1/2 years old now. Right after we got her she didn't chew things... until we had had her about two weeks. Then she chewed our hose in the back yard. It has totally escilated from there. She has been very destructive... lawn chairs, another hose, grill cover, bug zapper cord, toys, shoes, whatever she can get her hands on... or should I say teeth. In the house or outside. We have been using the "replacement" training method. Giving her something she can chew on (her own dog toys) to replace what she is not supposed to chew on. That worked pretty well for a while but it's not working now. At first, She would only do it when we weren't around so we started crating her while we were gone... now she will do it if I'm in another room or even in the same room and just not paying attention. She's getting sneaky about it. This morning we found the TV remote chewed beyond repair. She was crated last night so she must have done it before bed and we just didn't catch her. To DH this was the ultimate no no. He's ready to take her back to the pound. Anyone have any idea what to do or try next? __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

03-24-2008, 07:20 AM
Jess6092 Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,575	She needs a JOB! How often do you take her for walks? Do training sessions? She has a lot of pent up energy and needs to learn a positive way to use it. Did you do any obedience or puppy classes with her? I also highly suggest beginner agility classes! I bet you will see a huge difference when you start spending time making her do something productive with her energy. Plus it's always fun for the humans too! Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm no expert but I do have lots of experience with those energetic pups!

03-24-2008, 07:22 AM
short_kid Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 3,168	My parents have a chocolate lab that would do the same thing. His favorite thing to chew was anything electrical. He had destroyed two out door swings, he eat the seats of my girls bikes, Chewed the cable that came off the satellite dish. I don't know how many times dad had to repair vehicles because Cash chewed the wires off them for towing. It would just go on and on and on. They tried giving him something else to chew on, it didn't work. They tried using the no chew spray, but you can't spray everything. He is now kept kenneled unless someone is outside with him. Dad got a shock collar last year and put it on him. Never let him see the remote. Anytime he was caught in the act of chewing on something he got a poke. He is better about chewing but only if you are out with him.

03-24-2008, 07:58 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	I haven't done a training session with her in a while. We covered the basic sit, lay down, heel, come and stay plus she can do a couple tricks like roll over, turn around, and shake left or right on cue. She is very energetic so maybe she just needs more time. She didn't really show an interest in fetch at all... one of the biggest energy burners of all time. I've been tossing around the idea of trying to train her to chase geese. I run a campground that is on a lake and we have a horrible goose problem. If I could teach her to chase them but not catch them that would be great. Any ideas on training methods for that? Oh, and I rarely take her for walks. She goes outside alot and we have a large yard. Our other dog is older and not into playing anymore. Maybe a companion would help.... although I hesitate to get another energetic dog. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale Last edited by Chic : 03-24-2008 at 08:02 AM.

03-24-2008, 08:15 AM
gbarmranch Pasture Pet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 32,635	She needs to be walked - playing in the yard doesn't push her enough to get rid of that energy labs are noted for.. or play fetch with her until she is tired out a few times a day.. it will alleviate a lot of those issues you are having now... __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Quality Foundation Quarter Horses If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." Augustine of Hippo

03-24-2008, 08:29 AM
pasomystic Coming two Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,935	Agree with above advice. A tired high energy dog is a good high energy dog! The chewing is her only outlet if she is not well exercised. This is why it is so important to know the breed requirements before picking a new family member, research beforehand saves both belongings and dog lives. __________________ We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are.