Help! My puppy is destroying my kitchen...

[Sexual Chocolate]

JFReturns said:

Oh and one other thing – funny wouldn't you say, that the two contributors who also own labs had similar experiences – perhaps it is ever so slightly common behaviour to the breed rather than irresponsible and selfish ownership? The neighbours garden gnome being destroyed really did make me chuckle

He looks exactly the same as mine. Same kind of longish hair on his back in a kind of mowhawk style. Cookridge labs are the best!


I do think its part of the breed. Our chocolate lab still chews stuff now at the age of 5. Golf balls seem to be his thing at the moment. They are very mouthy dogs. Soft toys are the best I think. Faces get chewed off first then ears, arms, legs then the fun part of pulling the stuffing out and leaving it around the house in clumps.

The garden gnome incident was funny though. We used to share a backgarden with our next door neighbour and one sunny afternoon he was outside doing dog stuff when the neighbour shouted through the open door. When I arrived she was holding what was left of a wooden gnome. Its little hat had been chewed off along with its nose and part of a leg. She was not happy. She explained that the gnome was a present from someone and had great sentimental value. The dog was next to her looking at the gnome with a loving look in his eye bouncing around her feet trying to get it. I had to give her £20 for the gnome. For next few hours the dog was out in the garden chewing on his new found toy. I think that wound her up more though. She never spoke to us again after that incident.

[Too Late]

What about one of these.

[ali_kat]

Like R60EST I'm not a fan of crates, they were not something that was around when I had dogs (I had a Doberman, Springer & Collie cross at the same time and then added a Jack Russell) BUT they do work from what I have seen

However, the one in the picture looks a little small for Yoda?

Pleased to hear there are no further incidents, paws crossed that it continues!

[Rotaree]

I'm guesing the answer is 'no' but is there any chance you could take Yoda to work with you? (written as my Golden Retriever sleeps under my desk after a nice lunchtime walk!)

Otherwise I agree with the others, doggy day care or walkers would seem to be the best option.

[Sexual Chocolate]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

+1

Edited by Paddy_N_Murphy on Wednesday 10th October 14:35

What is it about Dogs chewing off the nose of any soft toys they have? Always seems to be the first thing that goes.

[JFReturns]

Thanks again for the replies, another chew free day (family came over for a few hours lunchtime).

Love the pics of Paddy and the two jumping into the river. I wouldn't want to cycle as there is nowhere suitable near, but when I run Yoda follows me so that could be a good idea. Paddy_N_Murphy, yeah my parents love dogs but aren't ready for a pup themselves so they help out. Thing is, I don't think they reinforce our training so ruin our hard work (e.g. getting him all excited when they walk in coochie cooing!). They mean well though, I'll just have to train them!

We've thought about a dog flap, but I'm a little concerned that a Yoda sized flap would be big enough for a thief... also, our trainer didn't think it was a good idea (yet) as we are not there to correct any naughty behaviour.

We've never used a crate, other than to provide a snug place for him to sleep and to hide toys (i.e. doors are always open).

And no, I'm afraid I can't take him to work One of the magazines at work is Dog World, and they get to take their dogs in! Wish I worked for them

[essayer]

R60EST said:

I see you have a bike there , he's probably not old enough yet but when he is up to it , teaching him to run along side the bike along canal paths etc can give them the workout they need.

Curious to know how you trained your dogs to do this? I'd love to take my pup out with me on a bridlepath etc, but concerned while they are "learning" they will either run into the bike, drag me off the bike with the lead or run off while I'm pedalling and not notice

[Karyn]

essayer said:

Curious to know how you trained your dogs to do this? I'd love to take my pup out with me on a bridlepath etc, but concerned while they are "learning" they will either run into the bike, drag me off the bike with the lead or run off while I'm pedalling and not notice

Or, if your our "pup", go mental at the front tyre and try and eat it, fight it and dance backwards in front of it simultaneously.

[R60EST]

JFReturns said:

Thanks again for the replies, another chew free day (family came over for a few hours lunchtime).

Love the pics of Paddy and the two jumping into the river. I wouldn't want to cycle as there is nowhere suitable near, but when I run Yoda follows me so that could be a good idea. Paddy_N_Murphy, yeah my parents love dogs but aren't ready for a pup themselves so they help out. Thing is, I don't think they reinforce our training so ruin our hard work (e.g. getting him all excited when they walk in coochie cooing!). They mean well though, I'll just have to train them!

We've thought about a dog flap, but I'm a little concerned that a Yoda sized flap would be big enough for a thief... also, our trainer didn't think it was a good idea (yet) as we are not there to correct any naughty behaviour.

We've never used a crate, other than to provide a snug place for him to sleep and to hide toys (i.e. doors are always open).

And no, I'm afraid I can't take him to work One of the magazines at work is Dog World, and they get to take their dogs in! Wish I worked for them

I think you are placing far too much importance on the input your trainer is giving you and training in general. I'm not saying it to be insulting , whilst general ground rules and routine are essential for a dog the ownership experience is more of an evolutionary process , unique to dog & owner.

If Yoda's just going to be a pet , not a working dog , I really think you should phase out the training and go it alone. You can train a dog to do almost anything but you can't make him actually enjoy it . It's better to have a dog that's 100% happy and 75% trained than one that's miserable but impeccably well behaved.


Re the cycling , I tried Alfie at 6 month old . It was a disaster , he had no concept of keeping clear of the bike or maintaining a uniform pace. I tried again a year later and within 5 mins it just clicked with him . The Lab , who's a rescue , may have already been introduced to the idea , that or he's much more intuitive than he appears , he grasped the concept immediately.