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Dog destroying stuff (seperation anxiety or boredom or?)
Canada_jezus
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey,
I got a dog about 3 weeks ago, a 7 year old mix of Flat coated retriever and god knows what. She really really likes to dig but for the first few weeks just did this outside of the house. Two nights ago she started scratching at or digging into sofa cushions, pillows and even stone tiles.
Now i *think* this is because she had an operation and the cone of shame is preventing her from scratching her now healing ear. Seperation anxiety might be it i guess, but she didn't really care if i came or went the first few weeks. (she might have bonded since then maybe?)
As for boredom, this is a maybe, we do take long walks and for example today i was out of the house with the dog from 12 to 17 and from from 19.30 to 21. Lots of poo'ing and peepee'ing so its not that. I mean, i guess i could buy more chew toys? She has bones and a kong. But when i went upstairs i hear her scratching at the table and pillows she has (old stuff that can get damaged if need be)
Anyway, is this definitly the ear? Or should i be rushing out to buy a really big doggy cage like a friend suggested.
I got a dog about 3 weeks ago, a 7 year old mix of Flat coated retriever and god knows what. She really really likes to dig but for the first few weeks just did this outside of the house. Two nights ago she started scratching at or digging into sofa cushions, pillows and even stone tiles.
Now i *think* this is because she had an operation and the cone of shame is preventing her from scratching her now healing ear. Seperation anxiety might be it i guess, but she didn't really care if i came or went the first few weeks. (she might have bonded since then maybe?)
As for boredom, this is a maybe, we do take long walks and for example today i was out of the house with the dog from 12 to 17 and from from 19.30 to 21. Lots of poo'ing and peepee'ing so its not that. I mean, i guess i could buy more chew toys? She has bones and a kong. But when i went upstairs i hear her scratching at the table and pillows she has (old stuff that can get damaged if need be)
Anyway, is this definitly the ear? Or should i be rushing out to buy a really big doggy cage like a friend suggested.
Canada_jezus on
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Flat coats/labs have a ton of energy as puppies. Do you just walk on your walks or do you throw a ball etc?
Destroying things means they are not tired enough
My dog used to destroy stuff as well... because he would be pissed off if you leave him at home all the time while you are off going to school...
It is a separation payback...
My advice is... to keep everything that is valuable and food related up on top of the fridge... putting it back farther on the counter top doesn't work... my dog used to be able to somehow get on the counter... he was an over-sized English Springer Spaniel...
Also... try to give more attention to your dog... and maybe before you leave the house... give you dog a treat...
Warning... if you have a retainer... keep it in a drawer... my dog used to destroy mine... how he got to them..IDK... but i am currently on my 3rd retainer... because my dog destroyed the other two... He was really pissed off...
also keep your Toilet Paper and Trash can full of snot-rags (aka used Kleenex) up and out of reach... My dog used to love ripping those up into shreds ALL OVER the house...
Mine is pretty destructive as well (she destroyed her cage pan, and if anything is up against her cage, consider it toast), i think i'm going to start walking her in the morning (she gets walked around 12 every day) and see if that helps. currently i just let her out, give her some lovin, and i'm off to work.
Not to derail, but my dog has taken to peeing in her cage lately. she kind of tore up the carpet where her cage was, so i moved it into the kitchen. almost every time i've put her in there she's peed (whether a full day, or just a few hours). She actually pees a lot (30 minute walk yesterday, she peed three times) so i want to take a sample into the vet. Can anyone recommend a way to get a sample of dog pee? She gets pretty low, should i just shove some gladware or something in there and hope for the best? I hope this is just something curable and not an anxiety thing...
She doesn't poop in the house and she has a little nook that's her "den". Is crate training advisable still?
In your case it sounds temporary but you might want a crate just for times like this anyway.