Help before I kill him!

[Amy & Bernie]

Okay, the title is a bit dramatic. But we have what I consider a serious problem.

Bernie has been getting into things and it's driving me crazy that I can't trust him all of a sudden!

A few facts:

- Up until a couple weeks ago he had NEVER chewed or gotten into anything that wasn't his.

- I realize the above statement is unusual in itself, but I promise it's true.

- He turned 1 this month.

- We were out of town for a bit a few weeks back, but this wasn't the first time we've left him, and other than that his schedule, routine, etc. has been the same as always - no trauma.

- When left alone he's getting into the bathroom trash, ate a book, tore up a shopping bag and ate the handle off a resistance band for working out.

I realize the first step is remembering to always shut the bathroom and closet doors, etc., and we're working on it but it' such a weird thing to have to remember to do now, a whole year later!

Is this a phase? Has anyone experienced this? Do they get over it or is there anything specific we need to be doing to address it, not just prevent him from having the opportunity?

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

At about 6 months to 1 year I think Remington went through the terrible twos.  I mean there were days that I was crying hysterically because of all the things he was getting into and just him being bad in general.  Just remember, it WILL pass... REALLY it will!  I think it is a phase.  Hang in there until it is over with!  They truly are worth it.  I can honestly say at a little over two years old, Remington is my absolute dream dog!

[Lauria Orr]

I have a chewer here as well.  It is frustrating.  One thing I think that helps is getting him out for a good walk.  My husband does a better job with this than I do as he can go faster than I can.  Morgan loves to run and that takes up some of the energy. I think he gets in to trouble when he gets bored.  Good training I think also helps...the practice gets them occupied, as well as learning the commands to leave it,etc.  Also, interesting varieties of toys helped Melody.  It is not as helpful for Morgan, as he tends to seek out things he shouldn't be chewing on.  I have had to replace my work shoes and a couple of pairs of other shoes, sandals, slippers,etc. Bitter apple has some effect. I think there are some good discussions on DK that I should revisit myself!

[Amy & Bernie]

Megan I would totally go back to crating if he had been abusing new opportunities to be left out, but he hasn't been crated since he was 7 months old or so. He was just always so good! I'm not opposed to it as an option, but ideally I'd like him to realize why it's being done. 

And even more frustrating, I work from home, so I'm with him all day, he gets a walk every day AND dog park as long as it isn't raining - the only time he's left alone is if my husband and I have plans in the evening. So it's never for more than a few hours, otherwise we willingly take him along. 

It's all so out of character and odd! 

[Amy & Bernie]

That's a good idea. We have plenty of treat dispensing toys that are pretty challenging, and I'll start utilizing the frozen kong option as well, thank you. We'll just have to get in the habit of closing doors and giving him other things to do, hopefully program this "search and destroy" behavior out of him before it gets worse! Thanks!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

That does sound frustrating. SophieBear just turned 6 months and suddenly decided the coffee table and dining chairs make for an acceptable snack. It's frustrating. My neighbour told me to sprinkle pepper on the furniture, this will stop it. I can't remember exactly but I think she said use a bit of olive oil to make the pepper stick. I haven't tried it yet. I have Bitter Yuck, but I find that horrible taste gets all over my hands and lingers in the air.

[Amy & Bernie]

I've used the bitter apple stuff with previous dogs, but the funny thing is he doesn't go after the same things, or a certain kind of thing. It's like we come home and it's always a surprise what he happened to find interesting! A book? So bizarre, I'm glad I had already read it or I'd be extra pissed.

[Camus]

Pepper is very bad for dog's ability to  smell. I wouldn't do that. 

By the way, our puppy we got 2 days ago (he will be 8 weeks old tomorrow) has already chewed power cords, started chewing on chairs, tore a magazine, a wool throw with fringe (he loves fringes), etc. I think we got a very normal puppy. 

[Amy & Bernie]

I should add that although this just started a couple weeks ago, we've only come home 3 times to messes. So it's not every time. But 3 is a lot when it's never happened before!

[Lynn Stoops]

I am so glad to hear another doodle is having the same issues ~ glad we are not alone!  Shiloh was the most PERFECT doodle never needed to be crated, played only with his toys until 3 weeks ago...he has started stealing things, knocking over waste baskets, taking pencils, eating TV remotes, stealing the wireless mouse off the desk, chewing on a chair leg...etc.  Shiloh will be a year next month.  We have started to crate him when we leave the house.  I am hoping this is just a crazy final puppy stage!  We do 3 walks a day and the kids are playing with him outdoors so he is getting plenty of exercise and playtime.

[Amy & Bernie]

I feel more normal now too Lynn! Haha. It's so frustrating, isn't it? Especially when they're exercised, have a number of toys, aren't going through anything traumatic...I don't like thinking my only option is to lock him up - seems like such dead end. But as it's likely a phase, you're right, we just need to protect them from themselves for a little bit! Good luck!

[Lindsey]

oh geesh...Molly is (just turned) 6 months and she went through this at 4 months and again just a few weeks ago...I was hoping she would grow out of by the time she turns 1...maybe there are many stages to "puppy craziness"...**sigh**.
It's frustrating, but I'll just tell you what everyone has been telling me...hang in there, this will pass :-)

[Lauria Orr]

We crate Melody and Morgan when we leave.  They run right into the crate, and don't seem to mind at all. I used to think of the crate as a last resort, but I don't at all now.