misselaineyus

Thought I'd try to add some photos. They are at 8 weeks; 6months & 9 months. Je2910 - I bought some citronella smelling gel crystals when he was born to keep him off the garden - he walked straight over them. We've even tried putting deep heat on furniture to no avail. I gave him some rawhide sticks which temporarily stopped the chewing.

My apologies blacklabrador, I have been mistaken. I should not be reading posts when I should be in bed. Thank you for confirming my thoughts. I can live with the current destruction, as long as I'm not teaching him any long term bad habits. We expected this behaviour to continue for the next 2-4 years. What are everyone's thoughts on check chains. I contacted the obedience club and they request that your dog be put on a check chain. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Unfortunately it is the only obedience club here.

WOW! I'm a little shocked and thankful. Vernie, and everyone else, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. This is completely disgraceful! Recently we thought our 9 month old lab had injured his elbow, shoulder or hip and took him to the vet. He was prescribed Rimadyl. We were not once given any advice or warnings of undesired side effects (it was not our usual vet). However, as a nurse I am aware that all drugs have side effects. It has no doubt made me a touch complacent, I glanced over the brochure with little consideration. It is for this reason that I am quite thankful. Never again. Thank you to all for a very informative thread. I had absolutely no idea that Rimadyl had such a fatal record with labs, or any other breed, and will never use it again.

Hi everyone, I am new to the lab area, well the puppy area full stop. I apologise to anyone who has read my similar post in another thread - just want lots of ideas and thoughts We have a 9 month old choc lab (Sorry blacklabrador, didn't actually realise they were flavour of the month - Just knew we didn't see too many around here, so many people comment how rare they are. We bought him because of the red dirt up here). He is a bit of a handful some days, but I wouldn't say he was completely destructive. He hasn't mastered all his commands, and obviously we have not taught this enough. We started him on retriever training with a friend when he was 5 months old, but unfortunately due to outside circumstances this only lasted 6 weeks. We will be commencing formal obedience training in the coming weeks (for both pup & our benefit). I had read that it was not best to chastise a pup for being naughty if you didn't catch him in the act. Our problem is that I'm now wondering if we have given him too much lee-way. I was expecting a completely unruly, destructive pup...he's had his days! He's chewn the old wooden outdoor furniture (honestly were not worried about the furniture as we will be buying new stuff in a few years time), sneakily chewed some of the skirting inside, massacred our chilli and basil bushes (yes chilli!), and is now pulling passionfruit vines off the fence ( they were only just starting to really grow!). I can accept all this chewing as I expected it to be much worse, but I'm unsure if I should be accepting it. He has heaps of toys that I rotate so he doesn't get bored, granted I could walk him more, he is inside lying at my feet whenever I'm home. How can I stop him chewing so much when I'm not home to witness it. He has a thing for chewing wood, and has done for a few months now, the vet doesn't seem concerned but I don't know if I should be. Blacklabrador, how old is your lab? How do you have such an awesome entertaining area and backyard!! I am keen to hear your thoughts on my ratbag pup.