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Posts: 4
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-02-2003 02:48 PM         

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A Boston Terrier,8 1/2 months old waits until I leave and eats everything other than his stuff. Digs holes in the carpet, shreds it from there.He's A super-dog. I hide it he finds it and eats it.Ate all my bedspreads (3) Shredded my pillows, Eats cat litter, ate a wardrobe,(broke into the tall laundry hamper) ate all my shoes, he's so little, and these common things are so high up how does he do it. Just when I think I outsmarted him,he got me!..........Obedience School? He's only bad when he knows I'm gone.Advise me please!

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Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 05-02-2003 03:44 PM         

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To keep him from going to surgery, you really need to crate him while you are gone. Just for his own protection. Give him plenty of his own chew toys and if you see him chew on something of yours tell him no and give him one of his things. But crate while you are gone until he is trustworthy.

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Posts: 238
From:miami, fl, usa
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 05-02-2003 06:22 PM         

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it sounds like it may be separation anxiety, since the destruction occurs when you are not home.. i'd suggest talking with a dog behaviorist, they may be able to help you understand the behavior better, work on decreasing the anxiety, and of course there are meds if necessary.. good luck to you both.. keep us updated

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Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 05-02-2003 09:52 PM         

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I definitely suggest you crate your pup to avoid your pup hurting himself. Separation anxiety isnt so much of a deal at 8 weeks but your pup does need to get used to you being gone. It is probably not so much as your pup having separation anxiety as it is your pup not being used to being left alone which no pup should be left alone to have free roam of the house while noone is there to supervise. That is how they get hurt so I would definitely recommend crate training.

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Posts: 238
From:miami, fl, usa
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 05-02-2003 10:41 PM         

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she said the pup was 8 1/2 months, not 8 weeks, that is why i thought separation anxiety may be a possibility for the destructive behavior..

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Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 05-02-2003 10:56 PM         

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Sounds like he's one BORED pup. Do you do anything to tire him out before you leave him? If not, then you need to FIND something (flyball, catch, agility, fetch, swimming, running, jogging, obedience, ANYTHING he likes to do that will tire him out). Many dogs that are destructive when left alone don't really have any "problems", but are just so bored from lack of exercise/stimuli that they find their own "jobs" and entertainment... in this case, demolishing everything you own probably seems (to him) like a fine outlet for his frustrations. A crate is also a very good idea, or if you're unwilling to crate him, at least block him into one "safe" (NOTHING he could get into) room or area. He may pout and throw a fit at first, but it's a lot better than him getting a digestive system blockage from one of his "meals" and ending up having major surgery, or dead. You could also try "setting him up" a few times, but this doesn't work with a lot of dogs, and if not done properly, it can backfire on you. To do that, you would leave the house, get in your car, and drive off as usual. Stop a little ways down the street, then quietly walk back up. Wait by a window (won't work if he can see you or hears you), and when he gets into something, fling the door open, tell him "NO", take whatever it is he has, then give him something he CAN have, like a kong toy filled with treats, and praise him like crazy when he takes it. Do NOT get angry, do NOT scream at him, do NOT snatch him up by his collar or shove the "evidence" in his face (not saying that you would do any of those things, but those are just some things that you definitely don't want to do). Things to be careful of when doing this are: that you scare him so much when you come in that he runs off; that you don't give him something he CAN have, otherwise, he'll just find something else of yours; that you've gotten the message across with just a few "set-ups", or he'll figure out what's going on and you won't be able to fool him into thinking you really aren't home, so he'll behave then, but not when you're REALLY gone. Personally, I'd use at least the top two things, then if all else failed, maybe try the third (depends on the individual dog and their personality). Keep him crated anytime you're not at home at first, then you can try letting him loose for short periods of time (after a good exercise session and with some "entertaining" toys), slowly working up to longer amounts of time loose.

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posted 05-03-2003 09:38 PM           

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Great Advice Goob.

Exercise is definitely the key, a tired is a good dog. A bored dog a destructive dog. This dog also needs stimulation!!! I agree, building up to longer periods of being left alone is the way to go.

Also leave NOTHING out except his toys when he is not crated - put away shoes, papers, bedding, litter, etc., that way when you are around and he's free damage is kept to a min.

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Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 05-03-2003 10:00 PM         

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Sorry I mistaken the age. Ok let me change my response to this. It could be seperation anxiety. I definitely suggest you try to tire him out before you leave. Does he whine when you leave? Act really anxious? Jump up on the door when you leave? If he does it could be separation anxiety. I would recommend reading the book the dog who loved too much by Dr Nicholas Dodman. Great book that gave me good ideas on how to deal with separation anxiety. What worked with me with at the time my year and a half rotty was leaving the house for literally seconds at a time. Then working up to minutes then hours anytime she became excited or anxious I would back up and work from the time I was last until she was ok again and then would work up again. Her separation anxiety is now basically gone. Just some advice. Also try leaving a shirt that you wore but hadnt washed yet with your pup before you leave. I would still recommend crate training.There are many good reasons to crate train but I wont go into all of them. I couldnt crate train Abby as she was deathly afraid of any confined space so we use baby gates with my dogs in empty spare bedrooms. It works well. They can see out so they dont feel clostaphobic and they can move around. I would still recommend trying crate training first though.

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Posts: 97
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 05-05-2003 04:15 AM         

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He needs really good exercise/workout before you go out, for starters. Obedience school is also a good idea for general all-round behaviour. Crating by all means, if you're not out for too long. Otherwise confine him in a safe area.
A treat-filled kong is always an excellent boredom-breaker -- Goob's advice is very good.

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Posts: 110
From:Madison, MS
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-05-2003 05:47 PM         

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We had a 6 month old poodle who did this. We bought her at 6 months.....she tore up everything in site while we were away and we were NOT SAVY enough then to know to CRATE her (thought it was cruel, now I believe it's cruel to she and I ..NOT TO CRATE) ANYWAY, we got rid of her the day she got my precious and valued bible down and began to tear it up.

NOPE...she had to go. Should have gotten a crate at that point, but thought we just weren't right for a dog.

My husband says I always treat them like they are human ....and I must take the lead and treat them like a GOOD DOG.

Have you tried the crate ? Obedience training ?

That's my only suggestion. Hope it goes better....GO OUT AND BUY YOURSELF A CRATE NOW. It'll change your life and hers/his.

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