Doodle Chewing

[Laurie Gibbons]

My first post. Cake 7 month old female Goldendoodle (we think she got big dose of poodle) chews on the door facing of the laundry room where we keep her on the days that I work. We tried bitter apple, pepper, icy hot etc to discourage. Still chews. Lately I've been crating her which I hate doing. Help? !

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It sounds like you think crating is inhumane.   It is actually the best thing for  your Cake.  It not only keeps your doodle safe but they feel safer in a crate too. Think of a crate like it is a Den.  Dogs are den animals.   Certainly chewing on the woodwork is much worse and dangerous for your pup 

Do look into getting Cake an Elk Antler to satisfy the strong chew drive.  They are expensive but last forever. 

Locking a dog in a laundry room sounds humane but in actuality it may be doing much more harm and causing destructive behavior

[Laurie Gibbons]

We have deer Antlers & elk antlers. She loved both. I guess I'm going to have to be brave & crate her until she matures a little more. We come home at lunch & feed her & let her run. (We play all during lunch). My husband I found out sneaks home & let's her out around 3. Lol

[Laurie Gibbons]

Thanks Joanne for your response.

[Laurie Gibbons]

Thanks Wanda.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I would just add that, if she's potty trained, it would be a good idea to make sure that the crate is big enough for her to be comfortable for lots of hours.  You could also try a large exercise pen.  There are varying opinions about the safety of antlers.  Just today, I scheduled an appointment for one of my dogs to be seen by a canine dentist, because of damage done six months ago from chewing on an antler.  Maybe Cake isn't chewing on the woodwork because of a strong need to chew, but rather because she's anxious about being in the laundry room.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Laurie,Wally, and Charlotte,

 all great points.   Dogs locked in a room become anxious and do suffer from anxiety. I was desperately trying to find a good read/term used for this yesterday to give an example.

Crating is best.  A large crate now that she is potty trained.

Sounds like this is working for Cake

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You know those metal kick plates used on restaurant doors?  I would install one of those. We put a brass one on my mom's kitchen door and it actually looks very nice. They also come in nickel and copper.

[Laurie Gibbons]

Yes kick plate would be great for a door but she chews the door facings. I've been crating her. It took a few days but I'm over feeling guilty for crating her. I realize it's for her own safety.