Chewer's...Need Advice

[lmalito]

Hey everyone...I have a slight issue with my pups! Well 2 out of the 3 really...my little Boston doesnt do anything but its my boxer and pit that are about to drive us insane. We have started to leave the pit out while we are at work to see if we can trust him...we started off by just running little errands and he did great...well now the past 2 days he has been out he has ruined 2 pair of my shoes (favorites too)!!! I know its partially my fault b/c I leave them out and my fiance constantly tells me to pick them up and put them in the closet but I never do...so I know this would help with the situation some...but its not just shoes!!! With the boxer we have to dog proof the entire house...shut doors, clear off the coffee table, etc. and yet he STILL finds something!!! the other day when he was out he ate a flashlight...:rolleyes: I am kind of hoping that you guys have some ideas that we can use to get these pups straight!!! Our only discipline method is to spank (with an empty 2-liter bottle of coke that has dry macaroni in it b/c its the noise that freaks them out...it doesnt hurt them...normally all we have to do is shake the bottle and they all sit) and then we put them in the kennel by themself for about 5-10 min.!! But what are some things we can do to get them out of this habit of finding anything to chew on?? Our pit is about 10months and the boxer is 1 1/2 yr. so its not like they are in the puppy chewing phase or maybe they are!!!

[JustSteph]

Well unless you catch them in the act of chewing,you can't punish them, they won't undestand. And I was always told and read that you never use the kennel for punishment. Never, it is to be a safe haven for them. Like a den. If they can not be left alone without chewing, then they are getting bored. I would start to kennel them again. How long are you gone? If it's all day then they are still pretty young and still considered puppies. Do they have plenty of toys to play with. Our pups will be 6 months next month (3rd) and we will leave them out in the house if we leave for 2 hours at the most. I know they would get bored any longer and probably chew something. Sorry I didn't have anything to fix your problem. Maybe someone else will.

[Amber23]

I would definalty exersize and play with them before you leave. They are high energy dogs and they need to release that somehow. I would suggest doing some obedience classes with them. They are very fun and you will see a big difference in them. I wouldn't "spank" them, but thats just me I guess. I have only used positive re-enforcement with my animals and they are very well behaved. I have done training classes with them that are only positive and also we take agility classes. They have a blast and so do I!

I would keep them kenneled during the day till they mature more also. I agree that a kennel should NEVER be used as punishment. It should always be the "safe" place for your dog to go.

[PatchO'Pits]

Apbts are always big chewers ... get some nylabones and yes, like others have said LOTS of exercise.

They are considered pups until at least 2 and then may be more reliable about not chewing things.

LOL and put your shoes away LOL
Actually the house needs to be puppy proofed as well.

Seriously though a crate is the safest place as others have suggested

[lmalito]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!!! Harley got a hold of another pair of flip flops...this time my favorite brown ones!!! :( I guess I need to learn my lesson and be a responsible "parent" and put things like that away!!! I have noticed that Harley LOVE loves to chew...more so than the other two...he is constantly on a bone or a rope toy!! When we leave...we leave the toys out so that it gives them something to do...they never seem to go for that though!!! :) So I guess the real way to resolve this issue starts with me picking my stuff up and making sure the house is puppy proof!!!

[jones]

18 months is generally regarded to be the EARLIEST you can try leaving dogs home alone uncrated. For very mouthy dogs it may be something more like 2 to 2.5 years! From the age of 7 months until 18 mo or more, the adolescent dog's adult teeth are setting in the jaw and this gives them a powerful urge to chew. They're also young, punchy, full of energy... a recipe for disaster when unattended. Dogs this age have been known to chew through drywall, doorways, windowsills, you name it, so in a way you are lucky to have "only" lost some shoes. ;) I like the suggestions to exercise more, but if I were you I'd go back to crating for a few more months and then go for another trial run of home alone time.

[lmalito]

Yeah it looks like we will be going back to the basics with the crate again!!! I think we will continue to leave the boxer out a little at a time...but as far as Harley goes he will be staying in the crate for a bit longer!!! I have heard of some of those stories where the dog just demolishes something like a wall and we cant afford to have that kind of damage to our little rent house right now! :)