Question:

>Sabrina writes the following: >First don’t give you dog anything to chew. >Technically you are endorsing his chewing.<BR>

<BR> *****Sabrina – I note further down in this post that you have aspirations to be a dog trainer.  The above advise is silly.  Dogs NEED to chew.  Restricting them from chewing APPROPRIATE objects is NOT going to teach them to not chew the forbidden things.  How much reading and seminar attending have you done?<BR> <BR> <<.  If you allow your dog to chew a toy  but don’t allow him to chew a shoe your dog will not know the difference. <BR> <BR> Dogs can learn which toys are THEIRS, quite easily.  Give toys that are not like household objects (ie – not an OLD shoe), makes it much easier for them. Giving them a nylabone will not make them confuse it with a shoe.<BR> <BR> >  I am taking a Trainer’s Course >at<BR> >Facility called North American Guard Dog Training which is excellent. >They<BR> >do Guard work and Obedience plus tracking, movie shots, a lot of police >dog<BR> >work, agility, flyball etc.  They even can direct you to Rescue training. ><BR>

<BR> trainer, they lack teaching COMMON SENSE.  After you "pass" their course, you’ll undoubtedly be "certified".  I hope the general public understands that there is no LEGAL certification for dog trainers, and that piece of paper means little.  PLEASE get yourself some "real life" apprenticeship and learning.  You have a long way to go.<BR> <BR> <BR> Janet Boss<BR> Best Friends Dog Obedience<BR> "Nice Manners for the Family Pet"<BR> <BR> "Read your question for the obvious answer"

Response:

>First don’t give you dog anything to chew.  Technically you are endorsing >his chewing.

Huh ? What about the poor thing when its teething ?? My dogs have both been taught to chew appropriate things. Of course the golden learned much faster than the lab is<G>. IMO they need something to chew on to keep their teeth clean and white and especially when they are teething. Can’t you remember when you had molars coming in and how sore that was ? I can’t imagine not letting my dogs chew….on their toys. They can and DO distinguish between good and bad chewies. (Of course, Ceilidh, the lab is going to be a year old on Saturday…..and still occasionally gets into something she’s not supposed to….but that’s my fault and a lab puppy’s nature <G>) I had a lab years ago, Bubba, when I had no idea how to train a dog. I never gave him his own chews when I left him alone…..and we went thru 3 couches,assorted windowsills, and many other items. The only inappropriate thing Rudy has EVER chewed was one tip off of a shoelace when he was about 3 months old. He gets tons of toys to play with. MaryBeth

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First don’t give you dog anything to chew.  Technically you are endorsing his chewing.  Another very tiring method which I have done and it’s not fun is put you dog on leash for 30 days. That means that everytime you leave the room you dog follows with you and if he starts chewing on something you can correct him by a sharp "no" and then give him a command which he knows and praise him for doing it.  This will encourage your dog to please you and it will start a positive bond between the two of you.  If you allow your dog to chew a toy  but don’t allow him to chew a shoe your dog will not know the difference.  Hittng your dog is a form of attention. Essentially you have taught you dog to chew to get attention whether it be positive attention or negative attention.  This is correctable and you can salvage you relationship with  your dog.  I am taking a Trainer’s Course at Facility called North American Guard Dog Training which is excellent.  They do Guard work and Obedience plus tracking, movie shots, a lot of police dog work, agility, flyball etc.  They even can direct you to Rescue training. If you would like to call the Number is (604) 574-9757.  It is located in British Columbia Canada.  Talk to Jane,  she is excellent and she is part owner.  she is not judgmental and very easy to get along with.  You dog does not need to be put down and if you need more help my email address is – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive > chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, > gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his > mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started > slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking > him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, > such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, > and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I > slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was > chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started > urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen > submissive urination. > Keebo knows he’s done wrong.  If he’s chewing a forbidden item, he runs > and hides when he hears me coming, but keeps right on chewing if it’s a > toy.  There’s no question about "to chew or not to chew."  If I haven’t > given it to him, he can’t chew it.  Keebo knows this.   > He is a bright dog, who has learned sit, down, stay, and the basics of > heel, and he often comes when called.   Housebreaking was effortless and > by the book. > He is very affiliative, but evidences separation anxiety.  He will follow > me around from room to room like a shadow.  He barks and/or cries his head > off without ceasing if I’m within his range of vision while he’s tied up > on his cable trolley, for example, if I’m riding the mower or working in > the garden.  This is very irritating to me.  One night a friend baby-sat > him, and he walked from room to room, whining. > Keebo is excessively oral, I think.  If you pet him, he wants to chew your > hand.  If you take him for a walk, he wants to chew your hand.  If you > watch TV with him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you play a game with > him, he wants to chew you. If you go for a ride in the car. . .you get the > picture.  He won’t stop jumping up on you and putting his tongue in your > mouth, eyes, or ears, and he continues these behaviors even when he knows > they are unwelcome. > I live on 20 acres but unfortunately share it with a family with two small > children.  The children’s father is a lawyer who is paranoid about the > possibility of a dog bite.  This family do not want to interact with > Keebo, period.  Keebo runs to their house whenever he sees someone there, > prompting an angry phone call.   > If I can’t extinguish such behaviors, I’m going to have Keebo put to > sleep:  Repeat-offense destructive chewing, jumping on people, trespassing > on the other family’s "territory."  Mainly, I don’t want to be losing my > temper over his recalcitrance.  He could have a good life with me, I > think, walking around with me, chasing rabbits & squirrels, swimming in > the pond, going for rides, sleeping indoors every night, etc., but I’ll > not keep him alive as a prisoner.  My pervious dog exhibited none of these > behavior problems, and I never struck her. > One big question I have is this:  Have I already undermined my > relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby > inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological?  Is this > degree of chewing correctible, or does it represent some conditioning set > from birth?  Unlike my previous dog, Keebo came to me without a twinkle in > his eye–as if he had been mistreated. I accepted him anyway.  Was it a > mistake? > Please help!  And thank you very much. > — > My real mailbox is saulie at centuryinter dot net

Response:

>If during that 15 minutes of horseplay, >he picked up something that he wasn’t supposed to in his mouth (usually a >shoe) he’d get popped with it, and the cycle would start over. He no longer >chews anything but rawhide bones (goes thru em like kleenex!) or his toys… >oh, he also chews on our other dog too

Do you pop him on the nose with the other dog too?  :-) (Sorry) Geoffrey

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Hi, there has been many replies and suggestions so all I have to say is this : When any of my dogs chewed the wrong thing the only reaction was where did I screw up this time? Why did I leave the object where it could reach? Was it dangling enticingly where it said "chew me"? (This happened to a pair of headphones) Why was I not watching it closely? Why didn’t I put the pup in a safe place? You get my drift… Puppies will be puppies and they will want to chew. So besides training and re-directing them…sometimes it’s ourselves that we have to train – to take as much temptation away as possible until the phrase passes. –Delphina

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>>   Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, > such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, >Please tell me this is a troll!!

It’s a troll. C’mon — "Scroop Moth?"  Sheesh! — Mark Shaw (and Maggie)   PGP public key at ftp.netcom.com:/pub/ms/mshaw "A dog is the only animal who has seen his god."           -Anonymous

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> Quote: >  Have I already undermined my > relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby > inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological? > By everything you have done, you’ve ruined your relationship with this poor > dog. And probably his possible relationship with anyone else. > Please see if you can find a loving, informed, home for him. And do NOT get > another dog! > Jane Webb > M&M

Get off yer high horse. Those of us that believe in both positive and negative  instruction are just a good of dog owners as you are. The dog has not been ‘ruined’ in any way, it just needs lots of attention, and lots of toys. To the original poster: I can’t tell you what’s right for your dog, each one is an individual. I can tell you what worked for our habitual chewer. One pop on the snout with whatever he was chewing, and then a period of ‘down stay’ in the same room with us (about 5 minutes). After he was ‘free’, we’d hand him a rawhide or chew toy, play tug of war with him, pour loving affection on him for about 15 minutes. If during that 15 minutes of horseplay, he picked up something that he wasn’t supposed to in his mouth (usually a shoe) he’d get popped with it, and the cycle would start over. He no longer chews anything but rawhide bones (goes thru em like kleenex!) or his toys… oh, he also chews on our other dog too Dave

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>Please tell me this is a troll!! >Cammy

This is a troll. Susan

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"Uh..  The dog doesn’t seem to fear the owner (it just knows what to do to get away with bad doggie behaviors).. the dog still has a desire to be with the owner, etc.      " Uh? Doesn’t seem to fear? I think I saw "cowering in submission somewhere in there…Also, Just because a dog still has a desire to be with an owner doesn’t mean it doesn’t have psych. problems or even dislikes the owner..An abused child will cling to an abusive parent even more to get the love and attention they deserve (and if its only bad attention they get, they will take it).. "Of one who possessed Beauty Without Vanity, Strength Without Insolence, Courage Without Ferocity,                 And All the Virtues of Man Without his Vices…."(Byron)

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zzendod sez: >I’m going to let my lesser subject like Lynn K. and Chinchuba handle this. Nah. If I’m gonna spend time talking to trolls, they should at least be intelligent enough to be somewhat entertaining or it’s just not  worth the aggravation. In short, more like you, Michael. The mentor of trolling. The pinnacle of flamebait. The epitome of annoying. > Maybe some shock collar tips from Suzi could help?

Now, zzenie. You really should remember that the cardinal rule to great electronic training is NEVER to lose your temper. Even if the original post were not merely flamebait, this person  would NOT be a good candidate for electronic training greatness. And now that you mention it, you seem to be getting *your* dander up a lot recently. Reactive, vindictive posts do not bode well upon your candidacy as the technological wiz kid that you claim you *could* be.  Let’s try this again. Take a deep breath… relax…. oooohhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Susan F.

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> Quote: >  Have I already undermined my > relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby > inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological? > By everything you have done, you’ve ruined your relationship with this poor > dog. And probably his possible relationship with anyone else. > Please see if you can find a loving, informed, home for him. And do NOT get > another dog! > Jane Webb > M&M

I hope the original poster was a troll.  But if not, then I agree with you totally.  As to ruining the dog’s relationship with anyone else, though, I disagree.  We recently rescued a dog who had been even more severely mistreated in his original home for the first two years of his life.  It only took him a few weeks to trust us and display his loving nature.  We have placed him with a family who knows dogs and adores him. I’m happy to report that he is now loving and well behaved.  I’m always amazed by how resilient most dogs are.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->OK,  you say you’ve had a dog before but obviously you don’t know much >about having or handling dogs.  If you can’t control your temper for >something you have NOT taught the dog not to do, you shouldn’t have a dog >(or children for that matter).  Period.   <snip> >Do some training.  Don’t let the dog outside alone if it roams (i.e., to >paranoid lawyer neighbor’s house).  Take the dog out on a leash and start >TRAINING it to stay with you.  A class can show you how. >Even though you abuse this dog, it obviously is attached to you if it >follows you around.  DOGS DO THAT — THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO LIKE BEING WITH >YOU.  This is not a problem or a flaw. >Training a sit/stay can curb the jumping/unwelcome licking stuff.  But you >have to TRAIN the dog — they don’t come preprogrammed.  Again, a class can >help you do this. >If this all seems like too much work, please give the dog up for adoption. >Don’t get another one.  Just because YOU can’t handle him doesn’t mean >someone else can’t.  Putting him down is cruel and selfish — there is >NOTHING wrong with this dog except for an idiot of an owner.

Excellent advice.  Get your head out of your butt and get to class. P.D. Jackson – Canine Behaviorist Canine Behavioral Services http://members.aol.com/K9Behavior/index.html Publisher of "Dog Bytes" – a canine training/behavior/dog tips newsletter

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> Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive > chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, > gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his > mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started > slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking > him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, > such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, > and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I > slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was > chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started > urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen > submissive urination.

Please tell me this is a troll!! Cammy

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Quote: There is a trick, derived from an old trick farmers would use when they had a dog who was a chicken killer. The ole albatross cure! Jane Webb M&M

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>   Ok, you’re going to need help with this, but be forewarned- some people

will be very resentful that your temper has gotten out of hand. I have seen   this sort of behavior before, and I confess…it was me at one time. I lashed out at my dog because I could not control distructive chewing.   Dogs, like kids, are capable of evoking all kinds of feelings in us. These are issues that WE have to deal with before we can effectively deal with difficult situations. It sounds like the initial poster may have an anger-management problem with the dog being the subject of the acting-out. If this be the case, owner has to either independently or with professional support sort out his feelings before he can effectively deal with the dog.

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A fence or overhead run and a nice sized dog crate will resolve most of your problems with the dog’s behavior. You are misinterpreting the dog’s behavior using human reactions as your guide – everyone does it its hard for us not to What your dog is reacting to is your anger and your body posture voice etc when you catch him chewing Most likely instead of ‘knowing’ the chew behavior is wrong he knows that you get insane sometimes when you come home – this scares him into the submissive behavior upon your arrival. Leaving him in a crate when you go out with legal chew toys only means you will come home and NOT need to be angry with him – this will make life nicer for both of you. If he sneaks off to do this when you are home – keep him leashed to you! or gated into the same room with you. I suggest you also plant some ‘chew bait’ (preferably items already destroyed by him<g>) and coat it liberally with Bitter Apple, Sour Grapes or some other such product that tastes awful to allow him to self correct the behavior. Its great that he likes people and is willing to seek them out for companionship. Sure beats a pet who hates people. Because your neighbor does not care for this friendliness a method of keeping the dog from harm through his love of people is your responsibility. A dog pen or a small fenced area for unsupervised potty trips plus plenty of leashed or directed exercise in your company should resolve this. I prefer a fence to a runner as the fence will also fence out those pesky next door kids and keep them away from your dog. Finally remember that young dogs are BURSTING with energy and that a tired dog in most cases is a very good dog Tire your puppy out at least TWICE a day this will in addition to providing social interaction the dog craves also limit the need he has to chew off excess energy Good Luck Nancy emailed as well as posted – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive > chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, > gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his > mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started > slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking > him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, > such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, > and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I > slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was > chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started > urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen > submissive urination. > Keebo knows he’s done wrong.  If he’s chewing a forbidden item, he runs > and hides when he hears me coming, but keeps right on chewing if it’s a > toy.  There’s no question about "to chew or not to chew."  If I haven’t > given it to him, he can’t chew it.  Keebo knows this.   > He is a bright dog, who has learned sit, down, stay, and the basics of > heel, and he often comes when called.   Housebreaking was effortless and > by the book. > He is very affiliative, but evidences separation anxiety.  He will follow > me around from room to room like a shadow.  He barks and/or cries his head > off without ceasing if I’m within his range of vision while he’s tied up > on his cable trolley, for example, if I’m riding the mower or working in > the garden.  This is very irritating to me.  One night a friend baby-sat > him, and he walked from room to room, whining. > Keebo is excessively oral, I think.  If you pet him, he wants to chew your > hand.  If you take him for a walk, he wants to chew your hand.  If you > watch TV with him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you play a game with > him, he wants to chew you. If you go for a ride in the car. . .you get the > picture.  He won’t stop jumping up on you and putting his tongue in your > mouth, eyes, or ears, and he continues these behaviors even when he knows > they are unwelcome. > I live on 20 acres but unfortunately share it with a family with two small > children.  The children’s father is a lawyer who is paranoid about the > possibility of a dog bite.  This family do not want to interact with > Keebo, period.  Keebo runs to their house whenever he sees someone there, > prompting an angry phone call.   > If I can’t extinguish such behaviors, I’m going to have Keebo put to > sleep:  Repeat-offense destructive chewing, jumping on people, trespassing > on the other family’s "territory."  Mainly, I don’t want to be losing my > temper over his recalcitrance.  He could have a good life with me, I > think, walking around with me, chasing rabbits & squirrels, swimming in > the pond, going for rides, sleeping indoors every night, etc., but I’ll > not keep him alive as a prisoner.  My pervious dog exhibited none of these > behavior problems, and I never struck her. > One big question I have is this:  Have I already undermined my > relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby > inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological?  Is this > degree of chewing correctible, or does it represent some conditioning set > from birth?  Unlike my previous dog, Keebo came to me without a twinkle in > his eye–as if he had been mistreated. I accepted him anyway.  Was it a > mistake? > Please help!  And thank you very much. > — > My real mailbox is saulie at centuryinter dot net

Response:

> Uh oh. Wait till Zen guy gets a load of this thread!

I’m going to let my lesser subject like Lynn K. and Chinchuba handle this.  It’s something to keep them occupied.  Maybe some shock collar tips from Suzi could help?  This problem is far too easy for me to comment on. I’m busy right now doing important things. The Very Important and Busy King http://changethemuzzle.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Please please please, don’t hit the dog anymore. Please?  Leave the room, count > to ten. Try the bitter apple, it really does work. Please don’t put him to > sleep for chewing inappropriate objects. Find a new owner before doing this. > Get professional help from a trainer. Just please stop hitting the dog. > Suzanne

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You don’t have to hit, for Anubis’s sake!  There is a trick, derived from an old trick farmers would use when they had a dog who was a chicken killer.  Let us suppose your dog has been chewing on a sandal (I had this problem with Dr. Scholl’s sandals).  You look at the damage, bite your tongue (well, one DAMN! is permitted), then calmly take the sandal and hook it to the dog’s collar.  If a book, again tie it about the dog’s neck so it dangles loosely.  No yelling, no screaming . . . just leave the sandal or whatever hanging from the collar for 12-24 hours.  It should GENTLY tap the dog when he moves.  This is not painful, but it is annoying, and does set up an avoidance response not to you– which is what your dog is doing because your response has been excessive–but to whatever it has been chewing. In fact, shortly after fastening the sandal about his collar, invite him to go for a walk. Meanwhile, get a copy of MOTHER KNOWS BEST: THE NATURAL WAY TO TRAIN YOUR DOG, or DOG PROBLEMS, both by Carol Lea Benjamin, or PEOPLE, POOCHES, AND PROBLEMS by Job Michael Evans, or GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS by Brian Kilcommen.  (If you cannot find them through a bookstore near you, you can get them from Cherrybrook, or by SM> mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started SM> slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking SM> him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, SM> such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, SM> and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I SM> slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was SM> chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started SM> urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen SM> submissive urination.     If your "mut" hadn’t a forgiving temperament, he’d take your hand     off the next time you use a belt on him.  Ever hear of overkill?     That’s what you are doing–and ruining a dog in the process. SM> Keebo knows he’s done wrong.  If he’s chewing a forbidden item, he runs SM> and hides when he hears me coming, but keeps right on chewing if it’s a SM> toy.  There’s no question about "to chew or not to chew."  If I haven’t SM> given it to him, he can’t chew it.  Keebo knows this.     Are you saying he has no toys with which he can play (chew) without     having them handed to him by you? SM> He is very affiliative, but evidences separation anxiety.  He will follow SM> me around from room to room like a shadow.  He barks and/or cries his head SM> off without ceasing if I’m within his range of vision while he’s tied up SM> on his cable trolley, for example, if I’m riding the mower or working in SM> the garden.  This is very irritating to me.  One night a friend baby-sat SM> him, and he walked from room to room, whining. SM> SM> Keebo is excessively oral, I think.  If you pet him, he wants to chew your SM> hand.  If you take him for a walk, he wants to chew your hand.  If you SM> watch TV with him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you play a game with SM> him, he wants to chew you. If you go for a ride in the car. . .you get the SM> picture.  He won’t stop jumping up on you and putting his tongue in your SM> mouth, eyes, or ears, and he continues these behaviors even when he knows SM> they are unwelcome.      How does he KNOW those overtures are unwelcome?  Or do you merely      slug him in response?  Sometimes dogs will continue with punished      activities if only to get some response, ANY response from the      owner.  (Yes, children do the same thing.) SM> I live on 20 acres but unfortunately share it with a family with two small SM> children.  The children’s father is a lawyer who is paranoid about the SM> possibility of a dog bite.  This family do not want to interact with SM> Keebo, period.  Keebo runs to their house whenever he sees someone there, SM> prompting an angry phone call. SM> If I can’t extinguish such behaviors, I’m going to have Keebo put to SM> sleep:  Repeat-offense destructive chewing, jumping on people, trespassing SM> on the other family’s "territory."  Mainly, I don’t want to be losing my SM> temper over his recalcitrance.  He could have a good life with me, I SM> think, walking around with me, chasing rabbits & squirrels, swimming in SM> the pond, going for rides, sleeping indoors every night, etc., but I’ll SM> not keep him alive as a prisoner.  My pervious dog exhibited none of these SM> behavior problems, and I never struck her.     Did you ever think of TRAINING him–see the books mentioned above–     and that your previous dog did not exhibit these behavior problems     because you did not strike her? SM> One big question I have is this:  Have I already undermined my SM> relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby SM> inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological?  Is this SM> degree of chewing correctible, or does it represent some conditioning set SM> from birth?  Unlike my previous dog, Keebo came to me without a twinkle in SM> his eye–as if he had been mistreated. I accepted him anyway.  Was it a SM> mistake? .. nfx v2.7 [C0000] If I have but one life to lead, let my lead be on a Dobe

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Alright- here’s the story- this dog is a PUPPY!!!!!  Puppies chew. Puppies ARE very oral.  We could get a thread going here for weeks on what our dogs chewed up as pups.  So, the first thing you have to accept is that chewing is normal for a 6-7 month old pup.  But…You have really done a number here- you started out with a normal pup, and frightened him into being a submissive urinator. Now you have 2 problems instead of 1.  And- depending on the breed, he may not stop being chewy for quite a while. Next time Keebo finds something that you didn’t want to be chewed, here’s what you do- go get a newspaper, roll it up, and hit yourself on the head with it.  Really.  If Keebo is chewing things, then don’t let him have access to them. Keep him in sight, and don’t allow full access to the house. How do you limit access?  Get a crate for when you can’t watch him all the time. Make sure he has lots of toys that he *likes*.  Make sure he gets lots of exercise.  Play games with him and train him to work his mind so that he can relax, and so that he can bond with you and trust you.  You have made him into a nervous wreck, and frankly, chewing is very pacifying. A crate can also be a pacifier- it is for many dogs (not usually at first…)- a safe place for the dog to call it’s own. The other thing to consider, before you ingrain these fears further into this dog, is whether you really want him or not. You have had him for a month.  You apparently do not understand dogs or puppies all that well. This dog is following you around seeking your approval constantly- many dogs are "velcro dogs", for approval, or just because they need/want to be near their person.  This may never change- but- if he is underfoot all of the time- he can’t get into trouble, can he? Although I almost NEVER advise this- perhaps this dog would be better of with another person/family.  The dog is running to the neighbors for love- something he may not be getting from you.  Perhaps you can find a person with a little more patience that can bring out the best in this pup, rather than make him into a fearful, cowering mess.  He’s on his way to that now- and the worse it gets, the less adoptable he becomes. Saxon > Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive > chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, > gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his > mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started > slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking > him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, > such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, > and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I > slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was > chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started > urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen > submissive urination.

  <snipped remainder of letter per: Netscape’s stupid rules>

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OK,  you say you’ve had a dog before but obviously you don’t know much about having or handling dogs.  If you can’t control your temper for something you have NOT taught the dog not to do, you shouldn’t have a dog (or children for that matter).  Period.   If you *are* really interested in correcting the problem, get yourself to an obedience class, read a few books — especially books by Carol Lea Benjamin or Brian Kilcommins, and STOP HITTING THE DOG.  Destructive chewing is an adolescent dog thing.  It passes.  It may take weeks, months or even a year or two depending on the breed of dog.  Confine the dog in a crate while you are away to prevent destruction if you can’t handle it.   Do some training.  Don’t let the dog outside alone if it roams (i.e., to paranoid lawyer neighbor’s house).  Take the dog out on a leash and start TRAINING it to stay with you.  A class can show you how. Even though you abuse this dog, it obviously is attached to you if it follows you around.  DOGS DO THAT — THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO LIKE BEING WITH YOU.  This is not a problem or a flaw. Training a sit/stay can curb the jumping/unwelcome licking stuff.  But you have to TRAIN the dog — they don’t come preprogrammed.  Again, a class can help you do this. If this all seems like too much work, please give the dog up for adoption. Don’t get another one.  Just because YOU can’t handle him doesn’t mean someone else can’t.  Putting him down is cruel and selfish — there is NOTHING wrong with this dog except for an idiot of an owner. — Michelle, Cassie the Lab (aka LittleOne) and JakeyBuddy the GSDx to e-mail, remove the "_"

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Uh oh. Wait till Zen guy gets a load of this thread! Please please please, don’t hit the dog anymore. Please?  Leave the room, count to ten. Try the bitter apple, it really does work. Please don’t put him to sleep for chewing inappropriate objects. Find a new owner before doing this. Get professional help from a trainer. Just please stop hitting the dog. Suzanne

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Quote:  Have I already undermined my relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological? By everything you have done, you’ve ruined your relationship with this poor dog. And probably his possible relationship with anyone else. Please see if you can find a loving, informed, home for him. And do NOT get another dog! Jane Webb M&M

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> Quote: >  Have I already undermined my > relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby > inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological? > By everything you have done, you’ve ruined your relationship with this poor > dog. And probably his possible relationship with anyone else. > Please see if you can find a loving, informed, home for him. And do NOT get > another dog! > Jane Webb > M&M

Uh..  The dog doesn’t seem to fear the owner (it just knows what to do to get away with bad doggie behaviors).. the dog still has a desire to be with the owner, etc. etc.. and if the owner sees that something is wrong, and if the owner can accept that his methods were ineffective and detrimental, then he can change his ways by getting professional help.  Remember that dogs are forgiving creatures.  The worst things the owner could do is give up the dog (it seems likely the dog might be subject to be moving families alot), or put it to sleep.. the best thing he could do is find ways to establish a more stabilized relationship.  Chewing is no reason to put a dog down, and it should be no reason to give the dog up.  Er.. and to the guy who posted the original message.. did you try Bitter Apple?  It works wonders.. spray it on everything he’s likely to chew on (including your hands).  If you ever feel the urge to strike the dog.. STOP!  The dog has no sense of guilt, and will not learn a thing.. the last thing it’ll remember before being stricken is your hand raised in the air, not the actions that the dog perpetrated beforehand.  Soon enough, it’ll get so afraid of your hand, when you try to raise your hand to throw a tennis ball, he’ll run away, and never come back.  If you have to make a correction, don’t let him know that you’re responsible for the correction.   Sometimes a "penny can" (an empty soda can filled with pennies), thrown in the vicinity of the dog (not AT it), is good in startling the dog, and it’ll associate whatever bad behavior it was doing with the annoying and freaky clang of the can. + +  = [-]

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Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  This morning I slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen submissive urination. Keebo knows he’s done wrong.  If he’s chewing a forbidden item, he runs and hides when he hears me coming, but keeps right on chewing if it’s a toy.  There’s no question about "to chew or not to chew."  If I haven’t given it to him, he can’t chew it.  Keebo knows this.   He is a bright dog, who has learned sit, down, stay, and the basics of heel, and he often comes when called.   Housebreaking was effortless and by the book. He is very affiliative, but evidences separation anxiety.  He will follow me around from room to room like a shadow.  He barks and/or cries his head off without ceasing if I’m within his range of vision while he’s tied up on his cable trolley, for example, if I’m riding the mower or working in the garden.  This is very irritating to me.  One night a friend baby-sat him, and he walked from room to room, whining. Keebo is excessively oral, I think.  If you pet him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you take him for a walk, he wants to chew your hand.  If you watch TV with him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you play a game with him, he wants to chew you. If you go for a ride in the car. . .you get the picture.  He won’t stop jumping up on you and putting his tongue in your mouth, eyes, or ears, and he continues these behaviors even when he knows they are unwelcome. I live on 20 acres but unfortunately share it with a family with two small children.  The children’s father is a lawyer who is paranoid about the possibility of a dog bite.  This family do not want to interact with Keebo, period.  Keebo runs to their house whenever he sees someone there, prompting an angry phone call.   If I can’t extinguish such behaviors, I’m going to have Keebo put to sleep:  Repeat-offense destructive chewing, jumping on people, trespassing on the other family’s "territory."  Mainly, I don’t want to be losing my temper over his recalcitrance.  He could have a good life with me, I think, walking around with me, chasing rabbits & squirrels, swimming in the pond, going for rides, sleeping indoors every night, etc., but I’ll not keep him alive as a prisoner.  My pervious dog exhibited none of these behavior problems, and I never struck her. One big question I have is this:  Have I already undermined my relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological?  Is this degree of chewing correctible, or does it represent some conditioning set from birth?  Unlike my previous dog, Keebo came to me without a twinkle in his eye–as if he had been mistreated. I accepted him anyway.  Was it a mistake? Please help!  And thank you very much. — My real mailbox is saulie at centuryinter dot net

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  Ok, you’re going to need help with this, but be forewarned- some people will be very resentful that your temper has gotten out of hand. I have seen this sort of behavior before, and I confess…it was me at one time. I lashed out at my dog because I could not control distructive chewing.  Is it too late to repair damage done to your relationship with your dog? I don’t know. Mend your ways, learn what you need to about dog behavior, and you might be able to salvage your dog.

: Almost every day.  Twice today.  Alwalys the same thing: destructive : chewing. At first, I just took the inappropriate item out of his mouth, : gave him a chew toy, and praised him for taking the correct item into his : mouth.  I dog-proofed my house as much as possible.  Then I started : slapping him under the chin for repeat offenses, then really whacking : him.  Eventually, I staarted hitting him with whatever he was chewing, : such as sandals.  This 6/7 month-old mut has lived with me for a month, : and the behavior seems to be getting worse, not better.  Yes. The distructive chewing is getting worse, not better. Hitting the dog is not making it better. Your dog does not associate getting hit with chewing.  You will have to restrain your dog when you are not there to supervise. Crate him, or put in a dog run or pen for him. :  This morning I : slapped his nose several times, hard, with the leather belt he was : chewing.  Tonight, when I caught him chewing a hat, he cowered and started : urinating in anticipation of punishment,the first time I’ve seen : submissive urination.  How sad for both of you. : Keebo knows he’s done wrong.  No, he doesn’t. He pees and shies away because he’s scared of you. :  If he’s chewing a forbidden item, he runs : and hides when he hears me coming, but keeps right on chewing if it’s a : toy.  There’s no question about "to chew or not to chew."  If I haven’t : given it to him, he can’t chew it.  Keebo knows this.    Hey, he’s just a dog. Many people don’t have much in the way of impulse control. : He is a bright dog, who has learned sit, down, stay, and the basics of : heel, and he often comes when called.   Housebreaking was effortless and : by the book.  He sounds like he had many good qualities. Distructive chewing is unconnected with intelligence. : He is very affiliative, but evidences separation anxiety.  He will follow : me around from room to room like a shadow.  As a good dog should! If you don’t like having a dog that bonds so closely with you, consider placing the animal with someone who likes that sort of thing. He sounds as if he has the potential to be a wonderful companion to the right person. It may or may not be you. Don’t take it personally. The person and dog need to have personalities that match up in some way. :  He barks and/or cries his head : off without ceasing if I’m within his range of vision while he’s tied up : on his cable trolley, for example, if I’m riding the mower or working in : the garden.  This is very irritating to me.  One night a friend baby-sat : him, and he walked from room to room, whining.  This is really starting to sound like he’s the wrong dog for you. You might do better with a more independent type. : Keebo is excessively oral, I think.  If you pet him, he wants to chew your : hand.  If you take him for a walk, he wants to chew your hand.  If you : watch TV with him, he wants to chew your hand.  If you play a game with : him, he wants to chew you. If you go for a ride in the car. . .you get the : picture.  He won’t stop jumping up on you and putting his tongue in your : mouth, eyes, or ears, and he continues these behaviors even when he knows : they are unwelcome.  Keebo is very nervous. He has a strong desire to please. Mouthing and licking are ways that dogs show connection. The more insecure he feels, the more this dog is likely to lick.  It’s like an insecure person apologizing all the time. It can get annoying, but the more scared you make the person, the more they’ll apologize. : I live on 20 acres but unfortunately share it with a family with two small : children.  The children’s father is a lawyer who is paranoid about the : possibility of a dog bite.  This family do not want to interact with : Keebo, period.  Keebo runs to their house whenever he sees someone there, : prompting an angry phone call.    Keebo is very lonely and just wants to be their pal. He wants to be anyone’s pal, but is scared of you. You hit him. : If I can’t extinguish such behaviors, I’m going to have Keebo put to : sleep:  Repeat-offense destructive chewing, jumping on people, trespassing : on the other family’s "territory."  Mainly, I don’t want to be losing my : temper over his recalcitrance. No, certainly you don’t want a dog that is ticking you off repeatedly. You can train out some of the excessive behaviors. You can manage his running to the children. You will never change his basic personality. If you don’t actually like him, give someone else a chance to like him. :  He could have a good life with me, I : think, walking around with me, chasing rabbits & squirrels, swimming in : the pond, going for rides, sleeping indoors every night, etc., but I’ll : not keep him alive as a prisoner.  My pervious dog exhibited none of these : behavior problems, and I never struck her.  You’re not required to keep a dog that you don’t enjoy. : One big question I have is this:  Have I already undermined my : relationship with this dog by stricking him a number of times, thereby : inflicting a certain amount of abuse, mainly psychological?  Is this : degree of chewing correctible, or does it represent some conditioning set : from birth?  Unlike my previous dog, Keebo came to me without a twinkle in : his eye–as if he had been mistreated. I accepted him anyway.  Was it a : mistake?  You were kind to accept him. You gave it a shot. It just doesn’t seem to be the best sitation for either of you.

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