giving her more freedom

[Lucy & Ellie]

Lucy is 9 months and we got rid of her pen because she just kept jumping out of it.  But if she has free reign of the house, we can NOT leave her alone or she will eat/chew something she's not supposed to.  So our solution has been to have her on a tether.  We have 2 in the house, in 2 different places and so she's always with us and somewhat "free" but can't get our of our sight. 

I've been wanting to pop on here and ask what people thought about our tether system.  To me, it's just been great.  She's not in her crate as much, but we don't go as crazy.

The only time she's not really in our direct sight is when the kids and I are doing homeschool so we are in the dining room and she's in the kitchen and she just chills in there and it's just nice.

HOWEVER!  Just 5 minutes ago she's on her tether and while we can easily see her, we just didn't notice that 5 feet away from us she is chewing up the carpet!  Literally chewing the carpet up.  It's a mess.  Her favorite toys are right around her and she had been chewing on her antler but apparently got tired of it and chose the carpet instead.

So now the limited freedom she has been enjoying.... I'm not sure! I hate having her in her crate when she has been out and good, but I can't have her destroying things and my kids need my attention.

What to do?  :(  I can't ever imagine the day that we actually let her roam totally untethered when we are home and REALLY not when we are not home, like so many people do.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

We have the extra tall gates and they work great. There will come a time most likely sooner than later that she'll be able to roam free when you are home. My girls are three and they get the back room and yard when we are gone and the whole house when we are home. Like children they out grow passes. Good luck and enjoy.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

We're in a similar boat with Truffle (who just turned one). Although we don't tether and he has freedom around the house when we're home (he generally tends to stay near us), we have only just recently started to leave him in the kitchen when we go out for a couple of hours or less. He's done great so far. For longer absences, we crate him.  

However, he's been going through a phase over the past couple of months (is he testing us because he's one??) where he's been chewing on things he shouldn't. Particularly one of our couch cushions.  So like you, I can't imagine letting him be allowed to roam free in our house when we're not home! 

Curious to hear what others have to say about their experiences.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

If you know he going to chew/ gnaw/ destroy, then letting him have run of the house is just setting him up for failure. Your choices when out, are either crate or corral him.
Enzo has had run of the house, when we are gone since 6 months or so. But she was never a chewer. We started with baby steps...leaving her in the house alone , while we worked outside. Started with a few minutes and worked our way up in time. Then it was short outings to the store...each time she did fine. Be he now stays up to 5-6 hrs by herself.
Tethering at home is a great idea, but obviously must be watched. But if that can't happen, then back to square one ...crate or higher pen. May be expensive, but so is her destroying your things.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Also...when people talk about tethering...they usually mean tethering the pup to themselves. This way, you are in control and see the pup at all times.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Trainer keeps reminding me that crates are a positive, good thing for pups! I have to get it through my head now. :)

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Over time, Truffle has come to love his crate.  He goes in there voluntarily when we leave the house (knowing that a treat isn't far behind) and happily at night.  Sometimes he'll continue to rest in it even after we've opened the door to allow him to come out.  

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Soo cute, Trufffle!

[Lucy & Ellie]

Thanks everyone!

I had Lucy tethered to me a lot when we first got her and it was great.  It did get old though!!

You're right about crates being a positive thing for pups and I need to remind myself of that too.  My dad always gives me a hard time about it but he really knows nothing about dogs :)  And Lucy does not have any aversion to her crate at all, so that makes it easier!

I just long for the days that we can just have her trotting around the house free!