Dog help

[jap1]

I have 2 Cocker Spaniels who used to chew everything when they were pups, and they did outgrow it, but maybe it went faster with my help. I'd give them toys they were specifically allowed to chew on and destroy, but I'd scold them when they chewed on anything that was not that toy. They learned pretty quickly. And those squeek toys that look like rubber shoes? I wonder what person designed those. Don't let them chew on anything that resembles things they shouldn't be chewing. As far as scolding, usually a stern "NO!" does the trick. They hate to be yelled at.

[Jynxgirl]

I am involved with rescue and the ten to fourteen month age is when most dogs come into rescue because these issues pop up at about that time. They are bored and going through the teenage stage LOL. Always keep them in a crate when you leave is the best way to deal with it. When mine were young, I paid the neighbor kids twenty dogs a week to come over and play with my dog for thirty minutes a day during the week when they got home from school. Worked great! Plus walk before leaving, walk after, usually played fetch (its alot easier throwing the ball twenty times to wear him out then walking/running a few times a day), and we tried other things as well.

My male had the same issue. He did it when he was a tiny puppy and then we put up somedthing in his corner so he couldnt get to the wall and it stopped. Then, I would say when he was about eight or nine months, we woke up and there was a whole in a different wall. It is very frustrating. I sympathize with you.

Jill

[Jynxgirl]

LOL.. dollars. You funny character you! :P

[erick]

They do sell a capsicum spray (pepper spray), but some dogs like the taste. They also sell a collar that sprays a citronella scent on the dogs nose when the boundry is broken. These are much more humane than a shock collar. I would tell anyone contemplating putting a shock collar on their animal to try it out on themselves first. It aint no simple little shock, even though you can control the intensity in some of the more expensive ones. A shock to the throat is, well...... IMO unreasonable for training, or discipline.

[brewercm]

Not trying to argue with you on the point but you may also find out several years down the road that the spray may cause cancer while a small shock won't.
You never know the full extent of what these different chemicals can do to an animal further down the road.

I know I don't spank my children (when they were kids) very often, but one time my son ran into the road before I could get to him. I smacked his behind real good for that one and explained why. Never had to have the same talk with him again about it after that ,where a simple talking too I doubt would have had the same outcome.

[captexas]

I've used a shock collar on our Jack Russell to help with his barking at times and in hopes it would help keep him from jumping the fence. This dog will do anything to get at a bird, a squirrel, or a cat, including jumping straight over a 5 or 6 foot tall fence! I don't know if it's in his breading or what, but he is a hunter. I know my neighbors hate him (and probably me) for him getting in their yards, but I can't put a dog on a chain all day long. It really is crazy to see how high he can jump.

[erick]

I agree that shock collars have their place. My vet swears by them when snake training dogs. I know that there are varying opinions on the use of such items. No, I am not a PETA member, too much hunting in my past and present to even remotely qualify. I have raised many labs over the years, both for pleasure and for hunting. It has been my experience that you get better results from love, praise, affection, and a constant routine that keeps the animal thinking rather than from punishment. Yes, shock collars do get immediate results, but at what cost? I would never even think of doing this to a human-see linked video from Joshua-(Bin Ladden and terrorists excluded from this comment- as they are not human anyways), why would I inflict pain on my best friend? I will now bow out, and not comment anymore, as I dont want this thread to turn into a debate. Best of luck to all! Erick....

[captexas]

I don't use the one we have all the time, only when he starts acting up. Trust me, I catch enough grief from my fiancee for using the shock collar as it is. Her dogs were inside dogs at her house and now they are having to learn to live outdoors at mine. One has adjusted, the other hasn't.

[erick]

It's a ton more humane to give him a buzz when he gets to the fence than to let him run out and get hit by a car or chase a little girl (playfully) into the street to get hit by a car.

+1