Need some help with my dog.

[mistermullens]

I have a pit bull mix, her name is Charlie, that we rescued and is one of the sweetest dogs on the planet. We had never had a pit bull until about 6 months ago. We knew she would chew on some things but we didn't realize how bad it could be. She as plenty of toys and another dog to keep her company. She was ok at first and like our other dog, we were able to let her have the run of the house while we were at work. Then she ate almost all of the cushions on our both sofas. Crate time. Our first dog did very well with crate training, but Charlie did not. She ate a whole through the plastic crate so she could escape. No big deal, we'll just get a metal one. Wrong. Check out this video.

Charlie Wins

We then decide to keep her in the bathroom which she has done very well with until now. We just moved into our first house a couple of months ago and we are very proud. Charlie, who doesn't make any payments, decides to eat two of the door jams which I will most likely have to replace. Needless to say the money is adding up and its something we can't afford to keep doing. I love this dog and when I even think about getting rid of her I get kinda upset with myself for even thinking it. I don't want to get rid of her, we can't afford professional training, and I don't know what to do next. I know there are a lot of dog lovers here so I'm hoping you guys can give me some good advice. Thanks

[SixStringSlinger]

I think there's some kind of spray or something that tastes horrible to dogs, made specifically for this problem. Just pray some on whatever she's chewing up, and maybe make her toys a little more enticing. Maybe take a bite of leftover beef or something and rub it all over to give it the flavor and the smell.

I assume that such a spray wouldn't be in any way harmful to her besides tasting like hell, and that you wouldn't be bothered by it (smell, etc.), either.

[Big Smokey]

Sounds like a classic case of separation anxiety. We are going though this with our Wirehaired Griffon, Cora. Our older dog died this fall and she has been getting SA issues worse and worse since he passed. Basically she has been peeing in the house if we go out in the evening. She is fully house-trained and her bladder is strong, hasn't peed in the house in years.... If you google Canine Separation Anxiety, you will get some good info. Two of the classic symptoms are destructive chewing and going in the house....

[getbent]

Charlie needs to be in a different situation. The chewing stuff is boredom and frustration. She's not getting enough of the right attention and she sounds lost and confused as to her role in the 'pack'.

I think you should find a retired couple or a retired person who will spend time with Charley, walk her, etc... that can be just more than a younger person who has to work and is gone a lot can do.

A friend of mine had a black lab that ate the linoleum off the floor in their mud room, bathroom and most of their kitchen when they lived in Starkville, MS... they changed their entire routine to spend more time with the dog and make sure he was exercised and had a defined role in the family... then he stopped.

Someone else may have a better idea, but I think it may not be a good fit. Our neighbor just took his german shepherd to a friend to live... the dog had become psychotic (rolling a boulder all over the yard until her snout was bloody... we share a common fence and the dog ate through 3 giant pieces to get into our yard... I sat with her for an hour or so just petting her... but, she probably is not gonna be 'okay'... so sad....

[eryque]

Originally Posted by Big Smokey

Sounds like a classic case of separation anxiety.... If you google Canine Separation Anxiety, you will get some good info. Two of the classic symptoms are destructive chewing and going in the house....

That's absolutely what it sounds like to me, and there's no "anti-chew" remedy that will fix that. You gotta treat the ailment, not the symptoms.

[Pete Galati]

How old is Charlie? Is she less than 3 years old?

[morroben]

My dog Isis had some serious separation anxiety issues when she was younger. She chewed her way out of crates, like your's did. The vet put her on Valium for a while, but it didn't help much and I didn't like drugging her.
This book made a big difference for us...
http://www.amazon.com/Latchkey-Dog-L.../dp/0062736663

[mistermullens]

Charlie is about a year and half old. Maybe slightly older. We got her from a rescue that spends their Saturdays at PetSmart, who in turn rescued her from a drug dealers house. She was chained to a tree with another dog without food. She was adopted, but shortly after the lady who adopted her committed suicide. Charlie returned to the rescue. She was adopted again by another lady who just couldn't take care of her so again she returned, once again, to the rescue. Then we came along. Like I said, she's been through a lot.

[Telenator]

Like others have said, it's seperation anxiety. The dog needs to be walked on a leash and also off the leash only when she is well behaved.

Please don't think this is hokey but, watch that show "The Dog Whisperer." I have watched several episodes and have completely trained my neighbors dog and others by applying the techniques. It really works!

[blacklinefish]

Originally Posted by getbent

She's not getting enough of the right attention and she sounds lost and confused as to her role in the 'pack'.

Sometimes the "right attention" only makes sense to animals, and not to people. Some dogs really dig the "pack" thing, and sometimes you have to get to their level. This could even mean getting down on the floor with them. If you trust the dog, then you could establish dominance by getting in the dog's face more.

For problem situations, I've even physically pinned the dog and got right in their face. Just stared it down until it looks away. In a pack situation, the dominant dog sometimes puts its mouth around the neck of the subordinates. They know it can kill them, and that strengthens dominance.

I use to have all kinds of problems with my dog's brother. He lives in another state, and did not respect me (growled, cowered, even bit me and drew blood). I did all of the above and it was just not working. So, I took it outside and I urinated on it. I am not kidding, and that changed everything. When we visit, that dog comes right up to me to get me to greet me. Hasn't bit me since!

I'm not sure if this helps with chewing, but maybe the dog would be happier if it was 100% confident that it was in your pack. So, get in its face a little more.

--gh

[fuzzferatu]

Originally Posted by blacklinefish

I use to have all kinds of problems with my dog's brother. He lives in another state, and did not respect me (growled, cowered, even bit me and drew blood). I did all of the above and it was just not working. So, I took it outside and I urinated on it. I am not kidding, and that changed everything. When we visit, that dog comes right up to me to get me to greet me. Hasn't bit me since!

This approach can also help with office politics.

[Rumble]

I used to have a 110 lb pit bull mutt who chewed up my couch. He grew out of it and lived to be 13. Pits are very intelligent, and they get attached to people. This leads to separation anxiety, and with good brains and strong jaws, they can vent some serious frustration. I rarely left my boy inside the house alone until he got older (like 5 or 6). There are more interesting things outside anyway. If I were you I'd get a fence or, as a last resort, a lead to leave her on outside. She'll probably chill out after a while. Good luck.

[Colt W. Knight]

Some vets carry medicine for seperation anxiety; however, I am not a big fan of medicating anything unless its absolutely neccassary.

[Ricky D.]

Two sofas, two door jambs, and no end in sight. A few bucks for professional help would be cheaper than having this pet eat your furniture and level your house.

The dog is angry about being abandoned all day. Angry at you. The dog knows that the destruction upsets you. You had better get professional help with this. Don't think for a moment that this can't get worse.

And please don't leave the dog outdoors all day when no one is home. If there were an incident involving a neighbor or a child, your life would change forever.

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by mistermullens

Charlie is about a year and half old. Maybe slightly older. We got her from a rescue that spends their Saturdays at PetSmart, who in turn rescued her from a drug dealers house. She was chained to a tree with another dog without food. She was adopted, but shortly after the lady who adopted her committed suicide. Charlie returned to the rescue. She was adopted again by another lady who just couldn't take care of her so again she returned, once again, to the rescue. Then we came along. Like I said, she's been through a lot.

That's still pretty young. My Belgian Malinois chewed things up for a surprisingly long time. He's about 3 years old now, and he seems to finally be done chewing things up.

Much as he loved my old Pointer who raised him, it might have actually helped when I lost her to cancer because now he gets all the attention.

I was pretty worried about what it'd do to him to lose her because it was rather inevitable since she was older than most Pointers live to be, but it worked out ok for the most part, and I try to borrow my neighbor's dogs ever 2 or 3 days so he'll still have dog friends around once in a while.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by blacklinefish

Sometimes the "right attention" only makes sense to animals, and not to people. Some dogs really dig the "pack" thing, and sometimes you have to get to their level. This could even mean getting down on the floor with them. If you trust the dog, then you could establish dominance by getting in the dog's face more.

For problem situations, I've even physically pinned the dog and got right in their face. Just stared it down until it looks away. In a pack situation, the dominant dog sometimes puts its mouth around the neck of the subordinates. They know it can kill them, and that strengthens dominance.

I use to have all kinds of problems with my dog's brother. He lives in another state, and did not respect me (growled, cowered, even bit me and drew blood). I did all of the above and it was just not working. So, I took it outside and I urinated on it. I am not kidding, and that changed everything. When we visit, that dog comes right up to me to get me to greet me. Hasn't bit me since!

I'm not sure if this helps with chewing, but maybe the dog would be happier if it was 100% confident that it was in your pack. So, get in its face a little more.

--gh

Yep. I know what you are talking about...

[furrfurrfurr]

Originally Posted by blacklinefish

I use to have all kinds of problems with my dog's brother. He lives in another state, and did not respect me (growled, cowered, even bit me and drew blood). I did all of the above and it was just not working. So, I took it outside and I urinated on it. I am not kidding, and that changed everything. When we visit, that dog comes right up to me to get me to greet me. Hasn't bit me since!
--gh

This may be the funniest thing I've ever read.

Man, I love this place.

[garytelecastor]

In addition to all of the above-exercise, exercise, exercise.

And I love the Dog Whisperer

[boris bubbanov]

Man, you came to the Bad Dog Cafe with a misbehaving dog!

We definitely gotta move this thread.

You have a full time dog there. Are you committed? If not.....


Bubbanov

[timgreene]

its the cheap plastic clips holding the door to the crate closed. get a couple strong metal clips like the ends of a dog leash, and use those to clip the door closed in several places.

[happy_dude2341]

how about a dog run in you back yard? i think it is cruel to keep him locked in a small cage or a bathroom all day. if you can't get a run i would get rid of the dog.

I use to have all kinds of problems with my dog's brother. He lives in another state, and did not respect me (growled, cowered, even bit me and drew blood). I did all of the above and it was just not working. So, I took it outside and I urinated on it. I am not kidding, and that changed everything. When we visit, that dog comes right up to me to get me to greet me. Hasn't bit me since!

WTF

[Boubou]

I suggest you look into the dog whisperer, buy a book, buy one of the TV series
Dog Whisperer

[SabuJSE]

Crates, done correctly, are not cruel. It's like a wolf den to them. Training (positive reinforcement) will also go a long way, as well, not to mention spend more time with the dog and make sure he's tuckered out before you leave.

This is like having a kid. And all the time that needs to be spent with said kid.

Physical abuse of any type is never needed, when the rest is done correctly.