Scratching wall paper?

[Tanjay]

Buddy has never been crated so I cannot start now, not that I would anyway, but suddenly out of the blue he has started to scratch the wall paper off the walls, has anyone any idea why he is doing this, he must have loads of toys to play with, at the most he is left for 3.5 hrs twice a day and he is walked 3 times a day. I am stuck on how to stop him, he only does it in the afternoon after his dinner time walk, he has never done it in the morning, I also leave a radio on for him. Maybe its a rubbish channel. Any suggestions will be most helpfull

[Yorkiedaze]

Can you gate him into an area that doesn't have wall paper? If not, maybe consider taking off the paper and either painting or putting up a decorative wood. Usually dogs don't take on these types of behaviors unless they don't get enough exercise. Maybe the walks aren't fast and long enough. If it's just a "mosey" type of walk where the dog is able to stop and sniff ever few steps, then he isn't getting the exercise he needs.

[PiePiper]

Just today I caught my Piper pulling the wallpaper in the corner where her bed is located. She has never done that before. I'm hoping it's a one time thing.

[MIZBROWN]

Hi there! As the other poster mentioned, not enough excersize can make them start to demonstrate bad behavior. Have you tried any training aids, like those sprays that are suppose to keep them off/away from objects? Though, I havent had that particular problem with Meka, but maybe its worth trying.

Also, wanted to know why you wouldnt be able to crate train your dog now? I've had Meka since she was 9 wks and didnt start out crate training. However, from about 8 mo's to 1 yr she had really regressed in her potty training. It was at that time that we began to crate train her and it was the best thing we ever did. It really helped fix the problems we were having Hope you get the answers your looking for.

[JoeyP]

Cover the area or crate him away from the area so he can't get to it
Once these guys get something in their little heads they have a one track mind
and if you can't supervise him 24-7 then you need to make sure he can't get to it

[Tanjay]

Where Buddy has been attacking the wall paper, we put some tape all along the wall to cover where he has attacked and above, today he has not touched the tape or the wall, well just today. We cannot crate as we do not have enough room in the house, he mainly lives in the kitchen and hall way during the day. He gets excercised very well, brisk walks everywhere, but I think what Joep said was correct

Once these guys get something in their little heads they have a one track mind

[PiePiper]

I know Piper isn't getting enough exercise since she had hip surgery 3 weeks ago and she is 3 legged right now. It's hard for her outside with all the snow and ice so there hasn't been any long walks. She is getting along better inside and I have noticed that she is starting to put a little weight on the leg when she is standing still. The vet said it will be a good 3-4 months before she is using the leg properly. I guess I'll have to start playing ball with her inside since that is her favorite game. She does like to chase the ball down the hall.

[Tanjay]

piepiper, what happend to the wee one?, Buddy has not scratched the wall paper for 4 days now, but K9 baby teeth have dropped out and his adult ones have come through, so maybe it was just frustrations, and we all know what thats like

[PiePiper]

In the begining of December I noticed that Piper was walking on 3 legs when she was outside. My first thought was she didn't like the cold ground. A week later she was also walking 3 legged inside once in a while. I brought her to the vets and he checked her leg and knew immediately there was a problem in her hip and suggested x-rays. Piper had Legg-Perthes Disease where the head of the femur loses the blood supply and starts to die. She had to have the ball of the femur bone removed.

[Tanjay]

so sorry to hear about Piper, but I hope she is better soon