Troublesome Labradore

[Contiki]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help me? We have a 8 month old Labradore puppy (who is a very LARGE puppy). Trouble is, Rusty is so boisterous in his behaviour and wrecks up our garden. He chews EVERYTHING, messes up and eats Mums plants, digs under the rabbit hutch, pulls clotes off the line and chews them, gnaws on the wooden seat, chews up the stick on the end of the mop, etc, you get the idea.
Does anyone have any solutions to our dogs behaviour problem. He has a large yard to run around in, has toys to play with, I take him for walks when I can, we are desperate for some help! :( :roll:

[shelli]

Hi there. I cant say that I have had a problem like this before. It sounds like you are doin everything that I would try to do, with no results. How bout puppy training? That may help. Thats about all I can offer at the moment.

Hope you resolve this soon!

shelli

[Leigh]

He sounds like he is just being a typical puppy. Like human toddlers, they can be a bit of a handful. Too much engery, and always into everything.
Did you do any puppy training with him when he was younger? It might be an idea to start something like that, if you hadn't already.

Sounds like he could be a little bored, with the digging and chewing. Maybe some toys like a Kong, or some nice big meaty bones to keep him busy during the day. Another thing my dogs have enjoyed as puppies and adults, is sprinkling the dry food on the law, keeps them amused for ages, their own little treasure hunt LOL

If all else fails, lots of walking and playing to make him all sleepy LOL. He could well grow out of a lot of it as he gets older, but it would be best to try and curb them now, rather than when he is older.

I don't envy you, I could never do the puppy thing again, it is just too much. Kittens are much easier ;)

Would love to see some pictures of Rusty :)

[Contiki]

Hi, thanks for the advice Leigh and Shelli. Took Rusty for a big walk today (also so I can get some exercise! lol). We have sectioned off part of our yard so he can run around in and not chew up Mum's plants. Also, trying to get the lawn to re-grow. Rusty's new trick-squeezing through gap in fence and climbing fences. Do you guys have any pets? :hug:

[Colby]

How's Rusty going? He sounds like he's a bit cheeky :)

Labs are gorgeous but I'm sorry to say this... they are puppies for a very long time... :D

What sort of toys does he have?

Have you considered one of those balls that have treats inside and he has to play with it to try and get the treats out?

Let us know how he's going.

[Tora]

:hug: I can fully sympathise! With you and your Mum!! :) I too have a very energetic puppy, who is now 18 weeks old. Max is a Border Collie, and like your Rusty, tends to dig, chew and destroy if given half a chance. :faint:

I can only add the same advise, plenty of toys, play and excersise! Max has some very strong toys, which are "almost" indestructable! He has already chewed through a mammoth amount of toys supposedly for puppies. He gets chewy treats daily, and bones to chew on (problem here is he wants to bury them!! More digging!!!! :dk: )

Max tends to be most destructive when he has been alone for any length of time (imagine what it would be like if you left a couple of young children alone for any length of time!!! OMG! That's what it's like leaving Max!! :roll: )

Having said all that, he is getting better! Slowly, but surely! He is being trained, and responds most of the time positively, but Labs are like BC's, they are sometimes just tooo smart!!! :pam:

Good luck with Rusty, I think you are on the right track, and sounds like you will overcome your troubles in no time. :) Once they are "over" the puppy stage, they do get much better (or so I am told!!!! :P )

All the best

Anne (Tora)

[Contiki]

Thanks for the advice Colby and Tora. Rusty is doing ok. We had to section of part of the yard for him to play in, away from most of the plants, and were he can't get up to mischief too much. He is still a bit of a rascal at times, but at least Mum's plants are starting to grow again. Dad has sprinkled some grass seeds around and the grass is growing again. I take Rusty for a walk when I can and he is so exited, he pulls you along and is so strong, I reckon he could pull you along if I attached a sled to him! :D
Anyway, will keep you posted how he is. Tora, you sounds as if you have your hands full with Max! Max and Rusty sound like a pair! They would get up to mischief together! From Contiki :D

[AngieMissi]

Hi there

Im so glad to find this group, my partner and I also have a 8 month old labby...and she also chews everything she can get her hands on :yes:
We are about to see a behaviour vet becasue we are at our wits end. We love her dearly but she is so naughty and I agree it is when she has been home alone for a while. She chews the out door setting, the pergola posts. Blankets, let just say anything and everything.

She also has more toys than my bank balance can handle...and is always in the wars!!!

But she is just sooooo cute!!!

Help what to do???:clap: we will let you know if we get any good advice.

[mejane]

If that is your lab in your avatar picture I agree, she looks very cute - and quite angelic in that photo :)

My hubby used to spray a concoction of chilli powder and water over places in the garden he didn't want puppies to go - it seemed to work ok, and no harm to the dog. Maybe you could try it with your outdoor furniture (just be careful where you spray!)

Best of luck with this expensive problem.

[Barbara]

Hi AngieMissi & welcome to AFW :waves:

At 8 months old your lab is most probably still teething so she will want to chew on anything & everything.

You could try getting her a big raw bone from the butcher. Some butcher's don't charge, other butchers may charge $1 or $2 for a large bone.

Most of the time they chew or destroy things because they are teething or just bored. A kong is also a great toy that you can put food into & freeze it so it will take her a few hours the next day to try & get the food out. They can be pricey but well worth the money & will certainly keep her busy.

Good luck - let us know how you go.

[mejane]

I've never heard of a kong, but we've got one of those toys Colby mentioned - the ball with treats inside. Our sheltie loves it - but she is forever chasing it into hard to reach places, like behind the fridge, under the sofa etc etc :)

[Barbara]

I've never heard of a kong, but we've got one of those toys Colby mentioned - the ball with treats inside. Our sheltie loves it - but she is forever chasing it into hard to reach places, like behind the fridge, under the sofa etc etc :)

They are great - they are similar to the biscuit treat balls - you can see one here (http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/ProdSubList.cfm?specie=Dogs&Category=37&SCategory=68&Group_No=6134&PS_Data=Treat%20Toys&PC_Data=Toys)

[mejane]

Thanks Barbara - will put these on the christmas list for our two (yes, we give christmas presents to our dogs!)

[Barbara]

There is nothing wrong with giving presents at Christmas & on birthdays :) - we do it as well :yes:

Our dogs love their kongs. It's bit messy to fill up but well worth it.

[sjc]

Yes Labs are big babies most of their lives, we had one many years ago she never really grew up, however she did grow out of the destructive stage.
She may benefit from some basic obedience training. Also if you were able to walk her morning and evening.

___________
Sheryl

[AngieMissi]

Thanks Ladies for you advice

My girl has it all, kongs with treats and peanut butter frozen, she has big marrow bones, she has assoreted toys.

But the most amazing example is, Last night we went to the inlaws for dinner and it is hot here at present so we left her inside with the air on. she did not touch a thing, only went outside to get her toys and back into the cool house.

I just think she thinks she is a inside dog!:argh: :argh:

[helen01]

hello all, we have a 10 month old puppy, she is a german shorthaired pointer,we got her when she was 8 weeks old,and she was really destructive,it took us awhile to figure out what toy's to get to keep her entertained,now she has a tyre which i put bones,treats,and other goodies, it takes her age's to get them out.she has a large one and a small one, so i can put different sized treats in them. we tried all the obvious toy's, like balls,squeezie toy's and all those other dog toys. i have heard from breeder's that lab's are pretty destructive and for quite awhile too,unless you get them trained, we've used chilli also, yes that works,she hates it, and now stay's away from the back fence, where she used to dig. i wish you well with rusty.