Problem with my 7 month old puppy

[mustangmike6996]

I have a 7 month old Lab/Pit mix and she is reasonably well behaved but is easily excited (still a puppy)

We brought her home when she was about 10 weeks old and crate trained her. We started leaving her out of the cage more and more until she no longer needed it. Well, now after a few months she has decided to start chewing on the house (bathroom cabinet, baseboard trim etc)

We are about to start crating her again. Do you guys have any other ideas as to how to stop it? We have ample chew toys and bones for her but she chooses the house instead.

 

[Tin]

She has separation anxiety. I adopted a 1 year old Staffy early this year. A crate wouldn't hold him and he proceeded to destroy the carpet in my living room, a couple of pillows, a few remotes, and a recliner. That sort of behavior usually subsides when they get used to your routine, but the best way to handle it is not make a big deal out of it to the dog. Try not to scold her, don't tell her "goodbye, be a good girl" before you leave, and when you come home, don't pat her on the head and praise her. It only contributes to the behavior. The crate is always a good idea, but don't leave her locked up too long or else that can cause issues, too.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety

 

[1BADAIR]

Walks before leaving

 

[AutoRoc]

You have a corvette and you leave it sitting in the showroom too much... That dog needs to be run. Get on a mountain bike and use a 26ft retractible leash.. She will learn to stay in front of you, not chase squirrels, etc over time.. She is still a baby so it won't take too much running. a few miles makes all the difference and she'll sleep the whole while you are away.. My Lab removed my basement carpet for me and also nibbled on the kitchen moldings for a while....ha Many many miles on the bike, rain, snow or shine. Goodluck!

 

[mustangmike6996]

Don't want to start a new thread...

The puppy is/was in heat (going to get fixed soon) but my wife wants to get her groomed. Is grooming worth it? $30-50 depending in specifics. She's got a lab coat so there's no cutting required.

Any products to control/limit shedding?

 

[kammi10]

Don't want to start a new thread...

The puppy is/was in heat (going to get fixed soon) but my wife wants to get her groomed. Is grooming worth it? $30-50 depending in specifics. She's got a lab coat so there's no cutting required.

Any products to control/limit shedding?

ive never groomed my lab.

for the shedding i bought a FURminator brush. it works AWESOME!.. i would suggest the medium size which is orange in color

 

[mustangmike6996]

Awesome. Thanks. Trying to talk a bit of sense into her. (Or maybe in the crazy one lol).

 

[DRAG-ULA]

If you decide to get her groomed, go to pooch's paradise.
It's on Garfield south of of 18 on the west side in a strip mall with Apple Annie's restaurant. Her name is Shannon, she's awesome. Sara takes both our boxers there.

 

[AutoRoc]

Grooming...

our lab gets a bath every month. pert plus/dog shampoo 50/50 mix
Brush once a week, more in the springtime
Ear cleaner every 2 months

No actual trips to a groomer anymore. His nails stay worn from walks i guess.

 

[Detroit Gearbox]

Ive always kept a crate (open)for the dogs.... gives them a place to go.... my dogs actually preferred sleeping in them. Those FURanimator brushes are great... I use them often but a trip to the groomer is nice. Mine go maybe every 30-60 days. Always give the dog one of its chew toys if you catch it gnawing on something its not suppose to be gnawing on and work the dog more.

 

[Jaggirl02]

If you decide to get her groomed, go to pooch's paradise.
It's on Garfield south of of 18 on the west side in a strip mall with Apple Annie's restaurant. Her name is Shannon, she's awesome. Sara takes both our boxers there.

this is like a half mile from my house.. Good to know! How much do you pay?

 

[Jaggirl02]

I would crate her again.. You have to try catching her in the act of chewing while you're home. Leave her crate open while you're home. My lab actually goes and lays in his crate when he's bored. If there's a specific place of the cabinets she's chewing, I would maybe put some bitter apple or vinegar or something on a wash cloth and leave it kind of hanging out of the cabinet door. The smell might deter her from that.
I would do regular brushing on your own but I still like to take my lab to the groomer every 2 months or so (not in the summer, I just give him baths outside with the hose).

I cage my dogs all the time, even though they probably don't need it. If they get sick I would rather them throw up in their cage than on the carpet or on furniture. Or I lock them in a room without carpet (bathroom/laundry room) but if she's chewing I would leave her in a crate.

 

[mustangmike6996]

We have been crating her since the initial chewing issue. She has been doing very well.

I picked up a training collar and she is a different dog. I usually dont even have to buzz or shock her unless she is hyper/not listening to commands.

 

[ASRoff]

I have a huskey lab mix... a sheadding blade works best with her sizable undercoat.... way better than a firbinator,

 

[Kaline]

We had a similar issue with our dog: we stopped crating her at about 9 months and all of a sudden, she chewed our couch one day while we were at work. As others have mentioned, it was a combination of needing more exercise and more crate training. I started to walk her every day, and we crated her until she was 1.5 years old. She is 11 now, and never chewed furniture again!

It sounds cheesy, but Caesar Millen says in his book: Dogs need exercise, discipline, and love (in that order).

 

[AutoRoc]

When younger...we took our dog to a daycare every friday. He would play with other dogs for hours. Then he would sleep for 2-3 days. If we say, "You want to go to school??".. He STILL freaks out with excitement.

 

[Nokooler]

I have a huskey lab mix... a sheadding blade works best with her sizable undercoat.... way better than a firbinator,

We have a husky/lab as well, amazing dog, she sheds like crazy though lol!! I'll have to stop in town and pick up one of those!!

As far as the grooming, we get both ours done with a family friend who helps foster dogs. When they are there they socialize, and get bathed, cut, and their nails done for almost $70. If anything get their nails done, it can be a pain to do it yourself, but it helps them with our fake wood floors in the house.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Our puppy turned 1 year old a few days ago. We just got her fixed and she's close to recovering, she's a bit calmer and slowly learning her manners now.