my house is a chew toy

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

So the other day I left for an hour and came home to 3 spots of our kitchen baseboards chewed up.   I knew it was Ben because when I got home he came running from the kitchen and Zoe came running from the living room (Zoe was chewing on the coffee table).  Bender is teething so Ok...but I don't know why Zoe is chewing ...she was probably bored.  DH said we have to leave chew toys with them when we leave the house so they don't destruct our baseboards and furniture.  

My issue with this is that Bender is a little food/treat/chew toy aggressive.  It's weird because he is such a submissive dog and such a great listener.  If you say "NO" it's paws off!  He's smart.  I have been working with him and he is fine when there is a referee.  Like during meal time, I put down both their food bowls and they eat probably 3 ft apart.  But Ben always finishes first and watches Zoe.  Zoe takes her time...like seriously takes her time.  She eats, takes a break, eats, drinks water, walks away, comes back, then finishes.  I know he would rush right over there and bully Zoe out of her food bowl if I'm not watching.  

Another issue that doesn't go well with his selfish nature (i don't like saying aggression because he is such not an aggressive dog) is that ZOE is a thief similar to Sadie in her video posted today.  So I feel like if we left chew toys out for them when we left the house, eventually Zoe will get bored of hers, walk over to Ben, stare and try to take his toy and he will be mean and grumpy to her and end result they will have a dog fight and I'll come home to two badly hurt doodles!!!  

I don't know what to do because i love my baseboards and most of my furniture.  I know Ben is teething so he needs to chew.  And Zoe never grew out of her love for chewing.  She needs more stuff to chew as well because i saw some brown spots on her teeth the other day even tho I brush her teeth AND spray Petzlife!  Had to scratch it off!  But I don't want them to brawl it out.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

They really will settle most arguments themselves.  I would leave lots of chew toys down. If one is really a high value toy (like a huge bone or ???) I would not leave that specific one down.   If you crate, then I would crate them when you leave.  If not, then I would confine the dogs to an area in the home rather than letting them be everywhere. This would allow you more control.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I think you have to leave chew toys down.... Also, maybe a dog walker. It sounds like maybe some boredom has settled in. Maybe you can gate them off. I literally when Jack was not in day care had a baby gated off section where he could never get into trouble in. Nothing but safe chew toys for him.

Good luck.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

We usually have them gated in the kitchen area except that day I just ran an errand so I knew I'd be back super fast. Also dh has a schedule where he will get home in 2 hrs and sometimes it's 9. it varies so we don't want to crate them. But noted I'll leave more chew toys out.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I always associate the word "chewing" when it is associated with destructive chewing, with not enough exercise.  Particularly in puppies.  How much exercise are they getting on a daily basis.  Just a couple walks, even if they are long walks is not enough.  They need an opportunity to get out and run and play hard.  They have shown you that they cannot be trusted to be left alone.  Not only for the sake of your furniture but for their safety.  They need to be confined to a "safe zone" anytime you are leaving the house.  Some people don't like to crate their dogs, but it honestly is for their own safety, particularly in cases of chewers!  You really can make a dog love their crate.  There was a story here just this week from someone who left their doodle out for a test and came home to find her/him in the crate with the door open.  This is their safe spot.  Many of us use a special treat or toy that they only get when we are leaving them.  They begin to associate that with a good thing and they just run and get in their crate because they know it is coming!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with all of this.  A teething puppy is not ready to have this kind of freedom.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Yes you are right. I do need to walk them more because I've only recently started taking ben on short walks to get him used to walks. He just finished all his vaccinations so I didn't really walk him before being that our neigjborhood is like a forest. There are so many coyotes, racoons, wild rabbits, and only God knows what else so I was being extra cautious. They do however run around all day together (especially necause my dh has more short work days than long). Our yard is exceptionally large so the do play hard all day long.