Newman Wont Stop Chewing...EVERYTHING

Ron · 12-16-2010, 07:23 AM

Newman seems to really love chewing....carpet..walls...clothing...tooth brushes...shoes....mitts...you name it.

Every time we catch him we scold him and he "seems" to feel bad about it, but minutes later he'll usually go right back to it.

He's on leash alot of the time now and gated to the part of the house we're in

Any suggestions?

Doreen · 12-16-2010, 08:35 AM

I don't remember, but did you ever end up crating him? If so, make sure you crate him when he is unsupervised.

Spyglass Sally · 12-16-2010, 09:54 AM

Bully sticks! I know that's kind of a costly solution though. I take it you haven't been able to find a nylabone or some type of chew toy that gives him an outlet for that urge?

Have you tried Bitter Apple or some other type spray on his favorite items? Another thing we've used are the "better mousetraps" I talked about in this thread. They have worked real well in training Buddy to stay off from couches he's not allowed on, out of the shoes, from pulling clothes off closet shelves - lots of things. He's never been hurt by them - or even caught in their snap - but he hates the sound of them snapping so he learned quickly what they look like and keeps a wide berth.

He's mostly over all that now, but every once in while he goes back to bad habits and we have to pull them out again.

Ron · 12-16-2010, 10:07 AM

hmm yeah the bitter apple is a good idea. i forgot about that.

he has plenty of chew toys

AussieGirl · 12-16-2010, 09:20 PM

Give that boy a nice big bone! Seriously he would drive me crazy lol, those pics are funny when it's not your dog BUT if I was the one taking the pics of my destroyed stuff ........hmmmmm Doggie Boot Camp

Spyglass Sally · 12-17-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieGirl

Seriously he would drive me crazy lol, those pics are funny when it's not your dog BUT if I was the one taking the pics of my destroyed stuff ........hmmmmm Doggie Boot Camp

Yes, this reminds me of the verse in Hebrews "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Even for dogs!

I've written here many times about what a challenge it's been to discipline him. And some of the methods are not for those who find positive reinforcement to always work. But none of the methods are something that he doesn't, in the end, have control over. The end result has given him more freedom and ability to enjoy things than we would have been able to give him if we were fighting discipline and obedience issues. And, in the end, they have helped produce a wonderful, well behaved dog that I'm really proud of!

An example that occurred in the last month:

We live in a small gated community which tends to attract trespassers because of the nice hilly walks, views and lake access. They just ignore the gate and No Trespassing sign. If you end up with trouble of some sort, the first question is naturally "Do you live here?" because every time I know of, the answer is "no". The residents are a small group who are quite courteous of each other - very rarely any problems there.

So, Mike is out on the Seqway with Buddy and runs into someone with two out of control big dogs, straining their leads, barking and creating havoc for Buddy. He asks "the question" and the owners get all insulted (refusing to answer of course and challenging "Who are you" to even ask.). Mike had a similar issue with them & their dogs two days before (and knows they don't live here) so he continues to pursue it. Finally the trespassing guy & wife (who are struggling for all they're worth to control the dogs) says "Do we have to do this when these dogs are so wound up?". Mike looks at Buddy and simply says "Sit" and, in spite of how wound up he is with these two other dogs provoking him, Buddy sits. Mike calmly looks at the guy and says "My dog's under control, how about yours?"

We were so proud of our little guy!

(Btw, they refused to answer any questions, went out the gate and haven't been back since.)

Simple story, but it took about a year of constantly working with Buddy to get him to the point where he will obey - even when he really would rather not! I had a similar situation about a week later with another trespasser. If he were a mellow dog, that wouldn't be such an accomplishment - but he's not. He's a high energy, aggressive dog that would have loved to go and box the ears of those dogs and their owners!

Because he's well disciplined, he gets to go out on Seqway runs, and even run off leash on the beach and dunes. (Although he's never off leash without an electronic collar for his own safety, just in case he sees a squirrel or something. I know some folks don't like those either, but I think the alternative - either no off leash, or risking something bad if he was too far away or excited to respond to a command - are worse.)

Buddy will be two years old in a couple of weeks and it's been a challenging year (as you all know!) but, man, has it been worth it! He's really the best dog - and good friend! He's very protective but great with kids. He's the first to alert to a stranger but doesn't go on with inane barking when you tell him it's okay. He's comical the way he stretches out and takes over "his couch" but recognizes they are not all his couches. He really is "the best!"

Okay, guess I got off an a bit of a sidetrack there. But some of the threads here lately, along with Buddy's upcoming birthday, have really gotten me thinking about what an amazing year it's been and how far he's come. So as long as I'm going, let me also just thank you guys for all your help, support and ideas in getting us here because we really couldn't have done it without you!

Doreen · 12-17-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyglass Sally

Okay, guess I got off an a bit of a sidetrack there. But some of the threads here lately, along with Buddy's upcoming birthday, have really gotten me thinking about what an amazing year it's been and how far he's come. So as long as I'm going, let me also just thank you guys for all your help, support and ideas in getting us here because we really couldn't have done it without you!

Sally, It is amazing what a year and alot of work will do. And I personally just want to say thank you also for all the info that I have gotten from you and everyone else on this forum. I have learned so much and have gotten so much help with getting my dogs into the shape they are in today. Not the bad parts, LOL LOL LOL... just the good parts.

Oh... and can't the security be beefed up in the gated community. After all, you pay dues to live there. I know someday I think we may move to one also and I would like to think it is more secure.

Spyglass Sally · 12-17-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

Oh... and can't the security be beefed up in the gated community. After all, you pay dues to live there. I know someday I think we may move to one also and I would like to think it is more secure.

We've been here since 1997 and it's really only been the last few years there's been a problem. The gate is not very secure:

It was made assuming that people would recognize private property and stay off. Not walk right past the gate (or even - I kid you not - remove it if they want to drive a car load in to use our beach) and then give attitude to anyone who dares call them on it. It's really bizarre, imho. I can't imagine doing that. And it's not just kids -grown adults like the ones Mike confronted.

If you were walking your dog on their yard, they'd say WTF, but because our "yard" is bigger and owned by 64 families, they seem to think it's fair game. I really don't get it, but it seems like people are just getting more self centered and less civil. What's funny too is nobody here really looks for these people. If we see someone we don't know, we assume it's a guest or extended family of a resident. But every time there's a problem (which is how they come to our attention), it turns out the offending parties don't even live here.

So now we're talking about adding an iron fence around the entrance area that would not assume people will stop because they know it's not their property, but put up a more secure barrier. However it's probably around $40-$50K which isn't in our budget until ~2012 or maybe later. In the meantime, we're going to add more signs (as if they can't see what we already have) and if the manager or grounds guy are around they will confront people. Or if we have an issue we can ask "the question" and have been told to just call 911 and the Sheriff will come. But unless you detain them, that's not a lot of help.

Strange problem, isn't it? I really have a hard time understanding people who do this - especially when they start cussing at you or threatening you for asking them if they live here. Don't they realize that's a dead give away? But they don't care I guess and it beats saying "No, I'm just trespassing."

I do think it is more secure, Doreen. We all watch out for each other - never had a break-in to a unit, even though only about 20% are lived in year round. And everyone has a sense of community which is really nice. Close and supportive, without being nosy. We really love it here and, up until the last few years, even the trespassers have kept a low profile and not been a problem.

Makes me glad we have Buddy. He seems to know who's who. Last summer we were on the beach with a bunch of people when he starts barking at some girls. I thought "how odd" and turned to look. I was sure they didn't live here and watched them. They set up and started doing "glamor shot" type things on the beach and then left through the gate when they were done. Buddy knew.

I had the same thing with a jogger a few weeks ago. Was jogging back and forth on the boardwalk right in front of our place, driving Buddy crazy. Came back day two and started again, even though he could see and hear Buddy banging at the window. I though no resident would do that - it's just rude - and went out and politely asked him if he lived here. He wouldn't even answer me. Ran off and never came back. Buddy knew. I think he's the smartest - and most well trained - dog we ever had.

Doreen · 12-17-2010, 02:54 PM

People are bold these days! I am still old school and obey signs, LOL. Still fear police (even though my son is one, LOL), teachers (and everyone in my family is one, LOL)... I just have respect, I guess, more than fear. I guess fear is the wrong word. That is what the world is losing.. RESPECT.

I always wondered what those little booths were with the gates. Did anyone EVER sit in those? All gated communities have them, but I've never seen anyone in them, LOL.

Spyglass Sally · 12-17-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

That is what the world is losing.. RESPECT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

I always wondered what those little booths were with the gates. Did anyone EVER sit in those? All gated communities have them, but I've never seen anyone in them, LOL.

I think one time, for a special event, a resident hired a guard to be in there, but that's about it. Really, nobody cared about the trespassing much until the last few years when we've had problems. Now we're probably all overly sensitive to it, just because we've had our fill.