Can you train a dog not to tear the house apart while you're gone?

1. 80

   LisaKoskiposted 11 years ago

   Can you train a dog not to tear the house apart while you're gone?
   
   I got a new puppy and she's almost five months old. Had her for a week now and while my boyfriend and I are gone at work she always tears everything apart that she can find. She mostly gets papers but also some random plastic things, including my boyfriend's wallet and its contents.Is this only because she's started losing her baby teeth and she'll grow out of it? Or do I need to train her to stop somehow? If so, how do I do that?
   
   

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2. 93

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   The easiest solution is to crate train and provide as many of her own chew toys as possible. Praise her when she does good. Don't give her negative attention when you get home by yelling or getting angry. If you are going to be gone more than a few hours you will need someone to let her out the crate. Also make sure she is getting plenty of exercise. Try walking her before you leave for work or play fetch for 30 minutes. Anything you can do to wear her out before going to work will help.

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3. 81

   Bukarellaposted 11 years ago

   I'm not a fan of keeping your dog in a crate for many hours a day. That leaves you with only so many options with a teething, energetic puppy. Here are your options, if placing your pup in a doggy daycare is not an option...
   
   1. Take your dog for a long walk every morning right before you leave. Tired dog is a well behaved dog.
   2. Get safe toys and chewies for your pup to play with.
   3. Puppy-proof your kitchen, hide the trash, put away wooden chairs in a different room, keep counters clean and use baby-gates to keep your pup one room.
   4. Consider daycare for at least 1-2 days a week.
   
   Oh, and of course make sure you are watching for development of bad habits when you ARE home. Keep her in the same room with you, stop unwanted behavior right away, redirect her to her toys when you see her reaching for something she shouldn't be playing with. Sign her up for class, and do your homework.
   Creating a well-mannered dog takes time and patience. You will get there, but only if you are willing to do the work.

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4. 66

   ptosisposted 11 years ago

   Can leave you dog in the bathroom if have no crate. Also need to have somebody take the dog out to 'do his business' .   don't give old shoes  for chew toys. Dogs don't know which shoes are 'good' or 'bad'.
   
   Bukarella had good advice.

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5. 69

   Mazzy Boleroposted 11 years ago

   I saw this problem dealt with on one of those dog training programs on TV.  The dog expert said this was caused by separation anxiety.  The dog panics if left alone.   They left the dog, first for just a minute or so, the time they could leave it before it started chewing, then gradually for longer and longer.  Each time the dog was learning that they would come back - it wasn't being abandoned.  It worked with that dog, but they didn't leave it for a time equivalent to a whole working day, that's a really long time to a dog. 
   
   The suggestion already made of a walk or run is good because then maybe it will go to sleep.  When I went out to work full time, a vet told me to leave food as well as water, even if the dog doesn't eat it, as this lessens its anxiety. 
   
   Mind you, your dog is still a puppy and it's a pup's instinct to chew.  So maybe it will get better with time.

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