They are SOO bad!!!

[Marcellacml]

Seems lately every time we come home from shopping, party, visiting etc. Lillian and Minnie destroyed something. I punish them and the next day its the same story! Sometimes they even chew on stuff right in front of me! I yell and yell kick them out of the room...everything...I can't close them up cause they cry and cry and bark nonstop and we've already had the cops called on us cause they won't stop barking.(which I think is just ridiculous)...anyone have ANY suggestions? Its not like they don't have toys they just don't care for them.

[maybeiloveyou]

Yelling (and kicking?!?!) doesn't do anything. All the dog knows is that you're going apes**t but she doesn't know why. That's the first problem. You need to say, "No" when they are in the process of ruining something. If you come home and everything's ruined and you yell, they don't know what you're going on about (they have very short attention spans and will not remember what they did wrong).

Can you confine them to the kitchen? Or bathroom? Much bigger than a crate and there's nothing to destroy.

[Rhapsody]

Maybe have chews. . . bones to keep them busy. How about just putting a piece of paper that you know won't hurt them, and leave it for them to tear up. Sounds as though they are just bored, and trying to find things to do. Also chew and bones you only let them have when you leave, so there's that they're a novelty.

Best way is just to direct what they are doing to stuff that's 'allowable' rather than finding stuff to play with on their own.

Good luck.

[Marcellacml]

Originally Posted by maybeiloveyou

Yelling (and kicking?!?!) doesn't do anything. All the dog knows is that you're going apes**t but she doesn't know why. That's the first problem. You need to say, "No" when they are in the process of ruining something. If you come home and everything's ruined and you yell, they don't know what you're going on about (they have very short attention spans and will not remember what they did wrong).

Can you confine them to the kitchen? Or bathroom? Much bigger than a crate and there's nothing to destroy.

I didn't literally kick her! why would I kick her? I meant I made her leave the room you know when you get kicked out of the building..its just an expression.

we've been putting whatever they chew in front of them believe me they understand...right when they see me coming with it they duck their head and go under the table or something.

[Marcellacml]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

Maybe have chews. . . bones to keep them busy. How about just putting a piece of paper that you know won't hurt them, and leave it for them to tear up. Sounds as though they are just bored, and trying to find things to do. Also chew and bones you only let them have when you leave, so there's that they're a novelty.

Best way is just to direct what they are doing to stuff that's 'allowable' rather than finding stuff to play with on their own.

Good luck.

okay...i'll try that thank you

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by Marcellacml

okay...i'll try that thank you

Good luck, sorry about the grammer in my post, lol. You can tell I was multi-tasking, and didn't read it over -- glad you knew what I meant.

[alriver]

When Bogey does something wrong, we say "bad dog" But you have to catch them doing the "wrong" before you can get on to them. He immediately knows that he's done wrong & usually hangs his ears & goes to hide. They are very forgiving & usually learn quick & will still love you 5 min. later!

[Erin]

Dogs that have bully sticks will not chew on shoes.

They are bored. What about daycare? What about an ex-pen or bigger crate? Coming home and scolding them won't help, they don't understand. They run away because you are going to take away whatever they are chewing on. Why don't you teach them to trade or drop those things? Give them praise and treats when they chew on good things.

[Marcellacml]

Originally Posted by Erin

Dogs that have bully sticks will not chew on shoes.

They are bored. What about daycare? What about an ex-pen or bigger crate? Coming home and scolding them won't help, they don't understand. They run away because you are going to take away whatever they are chewing on. Why don't you teach them to trade or drop those things? Give them praise and treats when they chew on good things.

We can't afford daycare and they won't stop crying if we close them up.
No, when I come home they already finished destroying whatever it was...then when I go to pick it up they run away cause they know their in trouble but they just don't care. I'm going to try the bully sticks..thanks for the idea

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Marcellacml

We can't afford daycare and they won't stop crying if we close them up.
No, when I come home they already finished destroying whatever it was...then when I go to pick it up they run away cause they know their in trouble but they just don't care. I'm going to try the bully sticks..thanks for the idea

They don't know and it's not a matter of caring or not. You are over-applying human guilt and emotions to the dogs. Dogs understand some basic cause and effect. If I sit, I get a treat. If I pee on the floor, my human yells. My trainer once challenged me to pour water on the floor and point to it and say WHO DID THAT? and see what Loki did. Sure enough, he "knew" he was bad and ran to his crate.

Unless they are going to be tired enough to sleep all day then you need to remove everything you don't want destroyed. We kept all doors closed and kept everything picked up off the floors until Loki was out of puppyhood - it was simply too tempting. It's not their fault you are allowing them access to interesting things to chew on. They don't know what is theirs or not unless you teach them. Loki is chewing on his stick right now and I've told him twice how good he is. He's 2 and doesn't ever chew up my stuff, but I still reinforce it.

Why don't you sign up for a training class - you'll learn how to communicate with your dogs and learn how dogs think. I have worked with Loki so much that he can understand full sentences. And I'm not just saying that - he has a huge vocabulary and he is very expressive. Because I've done so much training with him he and I can communicate very well. I can tell him to go outside then come in and get his stick and go to his crate, and he will go outside, pee, run back in, get his stick and go sit in his crate. Did he learn this stuff overnight? Not a chance. He was a TERROR. He would steal things just so I would chase him - until I signed up for a class where I learned HE was in charge of the game not me. Then I turned it into a gave of fetch and drop, and all of the sudden he was stealing things just to bring them to me to get a treat! (Who cares if he steals a sock out of the laundry bin if he's just going to drop it at my feet?) When he started getting a thank you and not a treat, he stopped stealing stuff all together. At least pick up a book. I like Positive Perspectives by Pat Miller. Some training will do them a lot of good. Maybe try crating them with a Kong or puzzle toy. Sammy can scream like crazy but if I crate her with a puzzle toy she will stop crying at least long enough to work on it.

[Erin]

Also - have you actually worked with them to go in their crates? Loki didn't come to us loving his crate. We had to spend time every day having him go in the crate for a treat, sit in the crate for a few minutes at a time, etc. Kongs were special toys that were only for the crate. Finally he realized the crate was a good place to take a nap. Now with Sammy we are starting all over and she SCREAMS when she is in there. Do I give in? No way. Every day she cries less and every day she gets treats for going in her crate.

HAHA... JUST now Sammy stole some Kleenex from the bathroom. I told Loki to fetch it and he just ran over to her and took it from her and brought it to me and spit it out. Then he sat for his treat of course. THAT is what 2 years of training can do, even with a complete monster.

[omega]

Just a mention.... if you give them bully sticks, I wouldn't let them have them if they are alone.... some dogs swallow big pieces when it gets smaller and that could cause a problem.

[Erin]

I agree - Kongs are safer for the unattended dog.

[Lexi Rae]

bully sticks dont break off into pieces i thought....

dont worry, it will get better, just be patient. it happens, maybe they are just going through a phase.... they know summer is coming and they want
to be outside with you

[Ashley V]

If you see them chewing, use bitter apple. It really works I swear! Our baby is only 4 months old and we haven't had to use the stuff in about a month and a half. We also used it on our Golden Retriever and he doesn't chew on anything anymore at all.