mowgliandme Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 (edited) Puppy is left in a play pen when unsupervised where she cant get up to too much mischief! She is very well behaved in there. This is for when she is out of the playpen with me, around the house. She is 11weeks old and toilet trained but not very chew trained :/ My response has been SRR (Startle, Redirect and Reward) method so if she tries to pull out a plant while in the yard, I’ll say OI or clap, give her something else to chew on and then praise her for chewing the right thing…but lately it just hasn’t been working, she doesn’t want what I’m offering her most of the time she even rejects a chicken filled kong in favour of chewing my drawer handle! Or rejects a pigs ear/nylabone in favour of chewing the chair leg at a café… In these cases I have been removing her from the situation by picking her up, moving her away and trying to redirect her away from the thing that she is after … but a lot of the times she will try to dash straight back. She is a very confident puppy and loves to play with absolutely everything, - looks like she would much rather play with something new than something she’s already seen? And she has a lot of toys, at least 30+ which i rotate so she has a few each day I have tried keeping her on leash in the house so she just cant get to things but I feel its ruining my leash work training? and it doesn’t really teach her she can’t have those things when off leash? She is not very persistent with chewing either…even when she has a stuffed kong or a raw meaty bone she only chews it for a little while, couple of minutes? and then leaves it mostly uneaten to play with something else/have a nap - although i usually give her these when she is tired and i am leaving her in the play pen Any suggestions? Edited August 8, 2016 by mowgliandme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Vicks vapour rubs works well on wood. I speak from experience :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 At 11 weeks there's no way I could leave mine unsupervised. I have VERY busy puppies. I would rather swap them in and out of the pen and alternate with lots of 1:1 training sessions, supervised free play and socialisation outings. When they are outside of the pen they get my undivided attention. It's hard work the first 6-12 months but it pays off incredibly well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 (edited) Thanks I'll try the vicks on wooden things The spotted devil this is for the supervised free play sessions as i dont want to keep her in the pen for long (so i take her in the yard and family room where she doesnt respond very well to the startle, redirect and reward)... she is in the play pen when unsupervised (not very long - max 2 hours) and goes on socialisation outings and does a fair bit of training too :) Edited August 8, 2016 by mowgliandme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 So set her up for success! I use cheap compost panels to fence off precious plants and furniture. Sandpit for digging? Clam shell for splashing? Frozen chicken wings or half frames for munching? Turn your supervised sessions into fun games of recall, tug and play. Be more fun than the environment. It can be hard work sometimes I do know!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Do you have a schedule/list of things you do with your puppies The Spotted Devil? I am home and do have a lot of time to invest in setting her up to be a balanced happy dog. (I don’t think I’ll be home full time for the whole of next year but at least a few more months) What kind of games do you play with your puppies to make yourself more fun than the environment? If i have roast chicken/mince she wont even explore the environment at all.... She does like tug but only for maybe 30 seconds then she prefers to just sit and chew toys or just pounce and play with them with her paws..? she doesn’t know fetch and I don’t think I want to teach her as my housemates dog is completely ball OCD and it would lead to conflict between them. I'm going to get her a clam shell today :) And what is the progression between initially fencing off your furniture and eventually letting them go unsupervised without dogs chewing it? Is it that you’ve told them to leave it/redirected them so many times in your presence that they just no longer go for it? Edited August 9, 2016 by mowgliandme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Find more interesting toys ,Kongs aren't for every pup nor are pig ears & the likes .Remember the back yard is there domain ,if it isn't fun they will find there own amusement & don't be so "routined" the pup has no fun or joy .They will chew things so put them away just like having a toddler first walking ,if its in there reach its a free for all . Mind you our pups aren't big chewers because we arent so routined ,there toys are soft teddies & things that play games with them & make sole life more fun . Also keep in mind im sure some dogs thrive on the reaction they get from being naughty ,i say this in the sense that touch more direction can make a dog disconnect from what is fun & they get a bigger thrill from being told off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 'm definitely not a routine type of person and am quite spontaneous but have really been trying to be consistent (in terms of responses to nipping and chewing, commands and toilet training) with the puppy so she learns better? Her day isnt particularly routined either and I always take a variety of toys wherever i take her I will look into more types of toys for her, maybe more puzzle solving type ones as she already has chews, balls, soft toys, squeaky ones, rope ones, kongs, variety of textures etc. She does play with them and chew pigs ears and kongs in her pen though - must not be exciting enough outside of it though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) My two chewed things till they were about two years old if I left things laying around. My girl used to lay on her day-bed bed & chew the timber cladding on my house My 5 yo still likes to chew up the odd plastic buckle if I leave a collar or harness laying around. Really the only solution is to make sure she can't get hold of things she shouldn't because she is only 11 weeks old...you have a long way to go yet :) Edited August 9, 2016 by sheena Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Guess so! My previous puppy (14 years ago now) would never chew or play with anything unless someone was playing with her, otherwise she'd just sit next to you - this puppy is definitely not like her at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Guess so! My previous puppy (14 years ago now) would never chew or play with anything unless someone was playing with her, otherwise she'd just sit next to you - this puppy is definitely not like her at all! Same breed ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Do you have a schedule/list of things you do with your puppies The Spotted Devil? I am home and do have a lot of time to invest in setting her up to be a balanced happy dog. (I don’t think I’ll be home full time for the whole of next year but at least a few more months) What kind of games do you play with your puppies to make yourself more fun than the environment? If i have roast chicken/mince she wont even explore the environment at all.... She does like tug but only for maybe 30 seconds then she prefers to just sit and chew toys or just pounce and play with them with her paws..? she doesn’t know fetch and I don’t think I want to teach her as my housemates dog is completely ball OCD and it would lead to conflict between them. I'm going to get her a clam shell today :) And what is the progression between initially fencing off your furniture and eventually letting them go unsupervised without dogs chewing it? Is it that you’ve told them to leave it/redirected them so many times in your presence that they just no longer go for it? For a start, when the pup is distracted I just use it as information. And wind it back a notch. So I might go play tug in the boring bathroom and bring out distractions in there that I can control. I use AWESOME treats in high distraction environments. You can't force a pup to pay attention so you just gotta be more fun and/or change the environment. I'm a big Susan Garrett fan and these are some things we do - crate games, games of choice, play with the toy I've got (I switch toys and do stupid stuff until pup chooses the right toy and then we party and tug!), tugging in the presence of distractions (eg food, dogs, cats, outside), impulse control (release tug and sit to play again, increasing time sitting and distractions and arousal), body awareness (videos on my website - in signature) which involves lots of shaping, hide and seek, Recaller games (eg restrained recalls), collar grab game (ie touch collar-treat) - it's endless :laugh: Inside I like to build value for lying on their bed. Chewing wise, it will pass I promise :D Try different things - whole carrots, deer antlers are great too. My youngster is an absolute tear away. I just love her to bits and now all the hard work is really paying off. High drive with great focus - it's such a thrill to watch her get it together although she stil has her moments LOL #bonkerswithengagement Edited August 9, 2016 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Don't overthink it ;) just wondering, too - and I have no idea- but could some of it be because she is always "on" when with you ? being with you is a signal to be awake & doing stuff ? I have never had a 'chewy' pup , thank goodness ! What does she do when just left outside ? these might interest you too :) LINK 1 LINK 2 Edited August 9, 2016 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Shes just had a fun play in the clam shell filled with water - definitely a water loving pup - she even tries to splash in her water bowl. And as timing would have it she just figured out the doggy door today too (I've been holding it progressively less open for a week now), soo now the house is pretty wet too after her first ever "non encouraged" dash inside :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Guess so! My previous puppy (14 years ago now) would never chew or play with anything unless someone was playing with her, otherwise she'd just sit next to you - this puppy is definitely not like her at all! Same breed ?? Different breeds, this one is a cobberdog and the older dog was a mixed small white fluffy (very gentle personality) dog but who liked sleeping/cuddling a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Don't overthink it ;) just wondering, too - and I have no idea- but could some of it be because she is always "on" when with you ? being with you is a signal to be awake & doing stuff ? I have never had a 'chewy' pup , thank goodness ! What does she do when just left outside ? these might interest you too :) LINK 1 LINK 2 She does settle in my presence too, we have been following kikopups videos and also reward calm behaviour We haven't yelled at her (except once by accident when I wasnt thinking - just a loud no I think that I have just over thought it - she might have just a bout of crazy cause she didnt play for very long with the other dog yesterday and had too much energy? Because today she has been very responsive and attentive.. When she is left outside (well with supervision) she runs around and chews toys and leaves and sticks and sniffs things, occasionally grabs a plant and tries to chew on that too, chases the other dog if he wants to play, I practise recalls with her when im sure she will come, follows me around sometimes, plays a bit of tug, has done some basic sit and down training, then eventually settles down with something to chew (she prefers sticks over toys) outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Sounds like you're both doing great! Keep it light and fun and remember how breathtakingly NEW everything is to her. Sensory overload!!! Oh and you want to see crazy...that's my gal :laugh: Edited August 9, 2016 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Thank you TSD - i'll going to look into those games for her as well :) Thank you everyone for the suggestions - sorry for the whingey post but yesterday and for part of Sunday it just seemed like nothing was working on her! Today she is being soo good, i think I didnt exercise her enough on those days Edited August 9, 2016 by mowgliandme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Guess so! My previous puppy (14 years ago now) would never chew or play with anything unless someone was playing with her, otherwise she'd just sit next to you - this puppy is definitely not like her at all! Same breed ?? Different breeds, this one is a cobberdog and the older dog was a mixed small white fluffy (very gentle personality) dog but who liked sleeping/cuddling a lot What's a cobberdog? I know it's some sort of a cross breed but can't think what for the life of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgliandme Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Guess so! My previous puppy (14 years ago now) would never chew or play with anything unless someone was playing with her, otherwise she'd just sit next to you - this puppy is definitely not like her at all! Same breed ?? Different breeds, this one is a cobberdog and the older dog was a mixed small white fluffy (very gentle personality) dog but who liked sleeping/cuddling a lot What's a cobberdog? I know it's some sort of a cross breed but can't think what for the life of me. It's mostly a multi-generation labrador x poodle, but also has some spaniels in there - its a breed in development at the moment. I think the MDBA are trying to register it as a Cobberdog and there another group called the Australian Labradoodle Association which is registering it as an "Australian Labradoodle" Edited August 9, 2016 by mowgliandme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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