Eating everything in sight

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

8 month old Quinn is into EVERYTHING. He pulled the butane lighter off the fireplace mantel piece but I saw it right away. Has been to the emergency for eating diet gum. He is so tall there are no surfaces that are safe from him. I have to hide my 4 year old sons mutilated toys. If it hits the ground it is in Quinns mouth in nano seconds. Is there anything other than raw hide chews I can entice Quinn into chewing? I've bought all the rubber chew toys. He sees no joy in them. Help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What kind of training are you doing/have you done with Quinn?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

This sounds like he has way too much energy. When Bella visits she gets tons of exercise and all the ills of her home life do not come with her....such as, counter surfing, little girls sock and underware eating, toy snatching. Maybe he needs more exercise. He sounds like he's a big boy which means it takes a lot to tire him out.

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

He has completed 8 weeks of obedience training. One on one with a very good trainer. The problem is that our weather has been so bad it's impossible to spend any time outside. He is restless.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would be working daily on the commands indoors. The key to eliminating this kind of behavior is to work with a dog until you have a solid "off", "down-stay", "leave it", "drop it", etc. Once they understand what they can and cannot do, and that actions have consequences, the behavior stops, but that takes a long time. Even my 8 year old doodle still needs brushing up on his commands on a regular basis.

For now, I would keep a long lead on him so that you can issue a correction the minute he goes for something he shouldn't have, and work on the "off" and "leave it" command, as well as the other basics.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think this is an exercise issue as well.  Put him in the car and go for a long ride.  Go to home depot or lowes or some other place in your area that allows dogs.  Do some indoor training with sit/stay, greeting people etc. inside the stores.  Maybe a day at doggie daycare each week  If he fetches, and you have a long hallway, do some indoor fetch.  Do some inhouse training.  Everything is a training opportunity.  Sit / stay for your food, sit / stay to go out to potty,   We have had a few discussions on indoor or bad weather exercise.  Try doing a search on a few different words and see what comes up.  I know just the other day someone set up weave poles in their hallway and practiced those.  Just remember, a tired dog is a good dog. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I agree, he needs both exercise and training.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

How cold has it been in WV?  I just moved from Chicago to Seattle so I have experienced all kinds of weather with my doodles.  I invested in some UnderArmor clothing that I layered up underneath my regular winter clothes, snow pants, boots, etc to make sure that the doodles got their exercise in the winter.  When it was subzero they didn't get their daily walks because it wouldn't have been safe for them either but on a regular bitter cold Chicago day they still got out even if it was only half the length of their regular walk it was still something. I HATE the cold weather but braving the cold was much better than dealing with crazy dogs in the house.  I also taught Cubbie to walk on a treadmill if you have one of those, that is something you can try too. 

But other than getting more excercise, I agree with what all the others have said about training being key.  I'm not sure what type of work you do from home or how many hours a day, but maybe do a short 5-10 minute training session with Quinn everytime you stop to do something for your grandson.  I don't have kids but i'm assuming that 4 year olds still need a fair amount of attention. 

While your working on improving his obedience, you might want to consider a "keep everything out of site" policy.  Don't leave anything out on counters, tables, or fireplace mantels.  Have your grandson keep all his toys in his room or a play room and don't let Quinn have access to that room (close the door or block it off with a gate).

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

Not trying to make excuses but I'm trying to run a business from home, watch my 4 year old grandson, and take care of two other dogs beside Quinn. We even discussed finding Quinn a new home but I am passionately in love with him and his bright, wonderful personality. Way too bonded to consider that. If he is not a wonderful dog its my fault. Our trainer will be starting a weekly indoor agility training school this month. I was hoping to find a toy or some other distraction for Quinn. By the way. He is the best sit, stay dog I have ever had.

[Adina P]

I guess I'd say that whenever you can keep him near you, on leash, do it. The rest of the time when you can't watch him and can't leash him near you, crate him for a bit. It won't kill him and he and your stuff will be safe. Just be sure to give him some breaks to hang out, potty, play, practice some obedience and then back to being leashed near you or in a crate. His freedom has to be restricted somehow until he's more mature and reliable.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think that he's bored and frustrated...he has to express in in some way.  Is Daycare once or twice a week out of the question?  How about a dog walker, especially one who would be able to run with him?  I have a very high energy guy myself and when he doesn't get enough exercise or mental stimulation he gets into trouble.  I agree with Adina that he shouldn't have freedom to "practice" this destructive behavior.  I'd keep him right with me and if I can't watch him, I would leash or crate him.

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]