Chewing

[Rozzie]

FB friend has a 2 year old Lappie who chews random things at night time. Dog is outside. I have suggested crate training (too sensitive and other dog will fret) and a dog run with only allowed to be chewed items. That's a cruel idea.

Anyone have any ideas. I thought confinement would be the go since I assume the humans of the house actually sleep during the night and so can't watch the dog.

[Weasels]

Frozen Kongs.

Edit: and training on what is and isn't appropriate chews during the day.

Edited March 4, 2012 by Weasels

[Staff'n'Toller]

Maybe the dog has some underlying anxiety- either separation anxiety or about whatever goes on outdoors overnight.?

[Rozzie]

Apparently there isn't an issue in the daytime. Anything is fair game at night, beds a particular favourite.

I agree SnT about the separation, which is why I suggested crating inside.

[Staff'n'Toller]

Ours have always been in the laundry on beds at night with a baby gate.

Very recently I have introduced crates with open doors and the older ones took to it beautifully.

I crate trained the younger one and he would be fine with the door locked all night, Crate Games dvd is the best for this sort of thing, then building up longer periods locked in the crate (during the day would be best) with his people around, then he could be locked in the crate at night - if that is ever needed.

If it's anywhere like our area, he's probably just being constantly woken at night by the night animals and then up at the crack of dawn. :laugh:

[sas]

Chewing can be fun, chewing can feel good, so if it isn't anxiety based it's just what it is.

Crate at night is a very easy and simple solution.

[becks]

i would suggest pet insureance for all the operations to remove inappropriate objects from the dogs stomach - then see if containment seems not so bad afterall!

[Red Fox]

If they won't remove the dog from the chew-able items or the items from the dog they aren't going to solve the problem. Suggest a smaller fenced off section (with beds/kennels and toys) inside of the back yard for sleeping instead of a dog run and see if that is less 'cruel'.

[Weasels]

The reason I like kongs is that you don't need a diagnosis on the chewing first. If the dog is anxious, the licking and sucking will ease its anxiety, and if it's bored the kong will give it something to focus on and provide a more apprealing chew target than a chair leg, for example. And it requires a shorter training period than crate training, although of course crate training as well would be good too.

Plus how is keeping the dog in a run more cruel than confining it to the backyard? It's still an enclosed space, just a safer one! Plus as to SecretKei's point - some Bunning's dog fence, a few star pickets, a hoe and an afternoon is all you need to create a 'dog-section' of the backyard.