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Posts: 3
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 08-15-2003 09:30 PM         

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Hello,
My 6 month old German Shephard gets very naughty when we go to work during the day.We had him in a crate for a while when he was little and did ok.We thought since he was so good we would give him more freedom and put a gate up in our kitchen.He has been in the kitchen for about 3 months and had no problems until last week. He has started to destroy things in my kitchen and in general has started becoming somewhat rammy .Could this possibly be the start of his "teenage"years?Or possibly hormones?
Any input on this would be appreciated.
Wanda

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Posts: 473
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 08-15-2003 10:20 PM            

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Sounds like it could possibly be seperation anxiety. Maybe giving him a kong filled with frozen peanut butter would keep him occupied for a while when you are gone.

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Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 08-15-2003 10:29 PM            

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How long are you leaving him alone at home for? It sounds to me that it is more likely boredom. I have a 2 year old Aussie and we didn't start letting him stay out of the kennel while we were gone until he was two. I also have an 8 month old pup and we still kennel him while we are gone. 6 months is still very young..it's alot to expect him to not get into some trouble while you are away. It would be like expecting your 3 year old child to stay safe while you were not home. I would continue kenneling him while you are away, make sure he has a chew toy or something like a Kong stuffed with something good that will keep him busy with an activity. I would never leave an adult dog in a kennel for more than 6 hours at any given time...with a puppy it is considerably less. Taking him out for a good romp in the morning before you leave for work will take the edge off all that energy. Coming home at your lunch to let him go potty and run a bit is great if you can work that out. Another idea may be an X-pen to keep him confined safely, he can have toys and such to occupy him and he can walk around a bit more. Just some ideas, hope they are helpful.

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Posts: 4
From:Farmington,Missouri,Usa
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-17-2003 12:54 AM            

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I can suggest getting him a playmate.my dogs are big (well most of them).so they stay outside in a fenced in yard while we are gone.

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Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-18-2003 01:06 PM            

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My Aussie is 4 months old and would get into all kinds of mischief if left unsuperivised for long. I crate her when I am not home and make sure it is never longer than 3 hours at a time. Your dog is too young to be left out and free to destroy things- he is bored and anxious about being alone in the house. Crate training naturally "calms" them down as long as they are getting plenty of exercise and attention, and as long as it is not overused. 6 hours max, otherwise it becomes a torture chamber.

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