Chewing The House And More

[cockerluv]

Hello

I have a seven month old cocker spaniel that is chewing the frame around the doors and also chewing the boards and railings of my house.

She also digs about 10 large holes a day.

She is in a large back yard with heaps of toys (chew toys, balls, food reward toys)she also has the company of another dog that gets along with her fine. She is groomed daily and walked every second day. Ghe spends the days in the backyard and then comes into the house for about one hour each night, then easly goes out for her dinner.

I have had puppies before (three over 25 years) and have seen the chewing, digging and general puppy behaviour, but never to the extent like this.

I'm hopeing I can get some help with how to at least stop her from destroying my house and some help with the digging holes.

Thanks

[kaywoman68]

How much time do you spend with her? How much time do you spend correcting her for her misbehaviour? When I mean correcting, I mean a loud NO or STOP and trying to distract her with something she can do instead.......

It sounds like she isn't stimulated enough. Is she well socialised? When you say she has the company of another dog, do they play with each other or do they do their own separate thing?

How long has she been doing this?

Edited August 26, 2007 by kaywoman68

[cockerluv]

I spent about three hours with her each day. She is groomed and we play ball each day. I say No to her in a firm voice when I catch her digging and chewing, then reward her when she stops (pat or good girl) she tend to do these things when im inside.

[Tonymc]

Cocker,a few questions for you. what is the positioning of the holes she digs?When she chews Doors,Frames and so on is she by herself?

Also have you heard anything about the behaviour of other Pups from the same litter? Tony

[cockerluv]

Cocker,a few questions for you. what is the positioning of the holes she digs?When she chews Doors,Frames and so on is she by herself?

Also have you heard anything about the behaviour of other Pups from the same litter? Tony

Hi,

Sorry for the slow reply, this is my first post and im a bit lost.

Holes are very deep and narrow. She has chewed the door frames and railing while i have been out with her, but never the house boards. Chewing happens most at night I think

[Tonymc]

Cocker,relax take your time its no drama.I unfortunately did not make my question very clear about the holes.I meant are they for example in the middle of the Yard or near Fences?

When you say she is chewing the House,is she chewing frames and so on from the outside or is she doing it when she is inside the House? Tony

[cockerluv]

Cocker,relax take your time its no drama.I unfortunately did not make my question very clear about the holes.I meant are they for example in the middle of the Yard or near Fences?

When you say she is chewing the House,is she chewing frames and so on from the outside or is she doing it when she is inside the House? Tony

The holes tend to be near fences, but can also be in the middle of the yard.

She is chewing the frames from the outside. Little naughty in the house but nothing like what she does outside.

[Toohey]

My cocker pup did that as well, both the house and the holes. I used to have a golf course in the back yard.

He stopped around the age of twelve months. it was just a puppy thing, though none of my other cockers have been like that, probably cos they had company and my first pup didn't.

[cockerluv]

My cocker pup did that as well, both the house and the holes. I used to have a golf course in the back yard.

He stopped around the age of twelve months. it was just a puppy thing, though none of my other cockers have been like that, probably cos they had company and my first pup didn't.

This is my second cocker and my first was a good digger, but not the chewing the house. I do recall the 12 months being a change in behaviour. She does have company of another dog, but tends to love mine more.

[Tonymc]

Cocker,ah yes the Fences and chewing from the outside.I thought this may well be the case.

Cocker I would read up on Separation Anxiety.I would also have an objective look at your management of this Dog.

When our management and or Leadership of a Dog or Dogs is not what it should be,a Dog will feel they have to take over as leader.In these cases Dogs think they have to protect and look after us and our welfare.In these cases when the Human dissapears it causes anxiety,stress and panic in the Dog.Dogs in these situations will chew on Doors and such as they know the Door is acess to where you may be.

I would consult a knowledgeable Trainer near you for a start.I would be chasing up some news of how the rest of the Litter is.Why?Sadly nowdays some Breeds are genetically prone to some of these disorders. Tony

[Toohey]

I would consult a knowledgeable Trainer near you for a start.I would be chasing up some news of how the rest of the Litter is.Why?Sadly nowdays some Breeds are genetically prone to some of these disorders. Tony

I don't think this is separation anxiety, and there are no known genetic disorders in cockers that cause them to eat houses

This is a normal pup. She'll grow out it, and in the meantime you may just have to puppy proof the yard and the house as best you can.

Let us know how you get on Cockerluv

[cockerluv]

Cocker,ah yes the Fences and chewing from the outside.I thought this may well be the case.

Cocker I would read up on Separation Anxiety.I would also have an objective look at your management of this Dog.

When our management and or Leadership of a Dog or Dogs is not what it should be,a Dog will feel they have to take over as leader.In these cases Dogs think they have to protect and look after us and our welfare.In these cases when the Human dissapears it causes anxiety,stress and panic in the Dog.Dogs in these situations will chew on Doors and such as they know the Door is acess to where you may be.

I would consult a knowledgeable Trainer near you for a start.I would be chasing up some news of how the rest of the Litter is.Why?Sadly nowdays some Breeds are genetically prone to some of these disorders. Tony

I do feel she misses me as this is the nature of a cocker. Would like to think it is puppy behaviour over any serious problems at this stage, but will keep that in mind.

[cockerluv]

I would consult a knowledgeable Trainer near you for a start.I would be chasing up some news of how the rest of the Litter is.Why?Sadly nowdays some Breeds are genetically prone to some of these disorders. Tony

I don't think this is separation anxiety, and there are no known genetic disorders in cockers that cause them to eat houses

This is a normal pup. She'll grow out it, and in the meantime you may just have to puppy proof the yard and the house as best you can.

Let us know how you get on Cockerluv

Will puppy proof the house and see how I go.Thanks

[Tonymc]

Cocker, no problem.We all at times as Humans dismiss or discount things as that way they do not seem that bad.You are aware it is a problem otherwise you would not have posted.No matter what we are dealing with,till we make change there will be no change. Tony

[Kavik]

The only dog I've had that chewed the house was a GSD pup I was looking after. She was about 8 months old, I was lookimg after her for a few months, doing some training and socialisation (she hadn't been outside the yard before) - she chewed the wooden frames of the house and the door frames - it was at my parent's house - I thought they would freak out! None of my dogs have done this, I never figured out how to stop it sorry, she was just a temporary guest and had some socialisation and behaviour issues as well.

[cockerluv]

The only dog I've had that chewed the house was a GSD pup I was looking after. She was about 8 months old, I was lookimg after her for a few months, doing some training and socialisation (she hadn't been outside the yard before) - she chewed the wooden frames of the house and the door frames - it was at my parent's house - I thought they would freak out! None of my dogs have done this, I never figured out how to stop it sorry, she was just a temporary guest and had some socialisation and behaviour issues as well.

Hi Kavik,

Thanks for the info. My girl is reguarly walked and has visits with other dogs, she is great with other dogs and people so im thinking things are ok there.. I know puppies chew, but she is destroying my back door, railings and now the house boards. She seems to be worst when it's getting close to coming in the house, but also chews at any old time. May try to stop her from being able to get to the back door (where most of the damage is being done) and see if that helps.

[purplepup]

My Silky was a bit of a chewer from about 6-10 months, door frames were a favourite as were table & chair legs but when she decided to snack on the corner of my new leather sofa that was a bit more serious. A friend gave me the following advice: halve a small red chillie and rub on the area being chewed. I did this to my sofa and the problem was solved instantly; one sniff and lick was all it took ;-)

[cockerluv]

My Silky was a bit of a chewer from about 6-10 months, door frames were a favourite as were table & chair legs but when she decided to snack on the corner of my new leather sofa that was a bit more serious. A friend gave me the following advice: halve a small red chillie and rub on the area being chewed. I did this to my sofa and the problem was solved instantly; one sniff and lick was all it took ;-)

Hi Purplepup, I see I'm not alone. I was hopeing for some suggestions on what I could try to stop her. I did try Vicks, this did work for a while, but i was scard she may try to eat it as well.

[Toohey]

There are various chew deterrants on the market you could try, such as this one http://www.muttropolis.com/products2.cfm/I...Deterrent-Spray , try googling "chew deterrants" but considering the area is so large, a temporay physical barrier might be better. I used to use the plastic fence type material around the areas he used to chew the most, and I put chicken wire over the holes and held it in place with stakes etc, but he would just find a new spot to dig.

Have you tried a sandpit with buried goodies for the digging? And I gather he has toys to chew such as Kongs and the like?

[poodlefan]

With undesirable behaviours, you have two choices.. to try to extinguish it or to channel it into other directions.

Personally, with an adolescent gundog (regardless of breed) I don't think a walk every second day is enough. I think this dog is understimulated both mentally and physically. If you walk her every day or even twice a day (even 5 minutes outside the yard is better than nothing) you should see a decline.

I'd also be looking to engage that very capable Cocker brain in some kind of training.. have you thought about joining a dog club. Both she and you will benefit from the process of learning new behaviours.

I'd also be trying her out on chewable toys or bones.. better than than the woodwork.

If you remember that a tired dog is a good dog, I think you may be able to manage this at least until she's a bit older.