Okay, I have a problem & I need some suggestions!!

[Ann]

Samson is 6 months old. I work during the summer 5 days a week, about 6 hours a day. I can come home after 3 hours and check on him. During the winter time, which is now, I am only working 3 days a week, 6 hours a day and I come home after three hours to check on him, let him out and such. EVERY TIME I COME HOME, there is something bad done. These are the things that have been done, he is put solely in the kitchen/laundry area every day when I work. He does not have run of the house, but hubby is AGAINST crating.

The dryer vent was chewed to shreds.
Several pictures on the wall were knock down and chewed, one being Odie (my last dog's) pedigree certification from AKC, ripped to shreds.
All my magnets on my fridge have been knocked down and ripped and some eaten (?)

Recently, like TODAY, I went home and on my counter there was a snap and lock tupperware with chocolate brownies in it. My counter is pretty deep so it was all the way in the corner, all the way back. He managed to get it, open it, and ate the contents of all brownies!!! UGH!

He has jumped up and made teeth marks on all my metal doorknobs.

He has jumped up and put teeth marks on my stove knobs.

I tell my husband this would not happen if he was crated. I am HAVING NO LUCK IN THIS DEPARTMENT. I have never had to crate any dogs that I have had. So, I'm not even sure how to do it, and I feel it is too late at this point. My husband is totally against it anyway.

I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS ON COUNTER SURFING. At this point, he cannot get any more magnets, no access to the dry vent, no pictures on my walls.

Help!

[F, Calla & Luca]

My trainer recommended that you throw noisy objects near the dog, not at it : ), when you catch it counter surfing. there are other adversive methods too. i'm sure you'll find info on this in the Doodle Whisperer group. I crate my dogs when I'm out and I think it gives them and me a sense of security. Your dog is still young and I'd recommend it. Keep a eye on him, that's a lot of chocolate he ate. A call to your vet would be a good idea. There's more on this in the Danger group. There is a group for almost everything!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Your pup is not too old to start with the crating. Peri is still crated while I am at work, no longer than 4ish hours at a time. Recently, we have started testing her by letting her out of it unattended, but only for short periods. She is 8 months and is doing okay with it.
Also, have you started some obedience training? It helps a lot. Peri is starting to really respect us and views my husband and I as the bosses these days. We have done 1 puppy session for 6 weeks and 1 basic obedience for 7 weeks (ended one month ago).

[Kyoko]

I mentoined about create on your posting at some other place... ( I forget where it was ) If your husband is against crating, may be you can approach him from the safety point of view. Because if he ends up eating something harmful, it may require a major surgery, and / or can cost his life. Or if he feels bad about keeping him in a crate for a long time, how about ex-pen?
I did not want a doggie ex-pen in my livingroom, so I bought 6 pannelled baby gate. It looks better and much more useful, since it can become a octagon shaped pen or streched gate. Charlie is crated when no one is home. I think it is the safe place for her to be. My old chow was never crated, but he never ever chewed anything or jumped on anything either. Different temperment and personalities. I use the pen for the time when I am home, but cannot pay attention to her / or it is not safe for her, ie. cooking / frying something, using chemical for cleaning, etc...I have it sectioning out the corner of the livingroom. She knows it is her section/room and does not mind at all going in there.

[Cindy Herrod]

You might try taking him to a doggie daycare a couple times a week. It sounds like Samson might be bored. We take Belle (now 11 months) and it is so good for her, She comes home exhausted, happy and contented and there is no misbehaving when I have to leave her alone at other times. It might seem expensive to some people (we spend $17 for an all day visit, but most places also offer half day rates as well), but maybe not so expensive when you count the items ruined from the dog and the gas going back and forth to check up on him. Just a thought until he gets out of puppyhood.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is a great point. Peri goes at least once a week. Her day is Friday usually. Sometimes a mid-week break is thrown in also. It is well worth it if you can swing it. Peri is exhausted the entire NEXT day also....

[Ann]

I would LOVE to do that, but I have no doggie day care near me. I've already researched it. I would gladly spend the money. When I check up on him, I'm not using any gas because I work next door to where I live. I live at the resort my family owns. He's not even home alone that long before I check on him, only 3-4 hours.

[Ann]

I will be removing everything today from all the counters. I'm a person that does not like clutter, so to me, this is good!! LOL, I thought the same, that he gets bored pretty easily. I have tons of toys for him to chew on, and for him to play with, he gets a frozen kong with peanut butter every time, he also gets a toy (the find a squirrel toy) where he has to find the squirrel, which should keep him busy, but I really had no idea he would take stuff off the counters like he has so...I will remove everything. That sounds like a great idea for your golden retriever. I believe he has separation anxiety too. He does follow me around the house, everywhere!

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

I know this doesn't really help you, I guess I'm just relating to your frustration and maybe I can get an answer too - I've been home for the past 6 weeks on medical leave and since I've been HOME, we have 2 door casings that are chewed up and I mean chewed

one of the caps to the toilet bolts is gone - chewed up; we now have 3 door stoppers gone - the important rubber part was chewed up; every single cupboard in the kitchen and bathroom - the lower corners - are all chewed on. And these two have kongs, nylabones, rope toys, stuffed rabbits, 4 doggie beds! Hunter also is a counter surfer for either socks or tissues, but we did find him with a paperclip in his mouth one time. It's like he's in stealth mode and you have no idea he took anything until you see him in a corner chewing it up! And this is all since I've been home. Granted, the first 4 weeks, I could not really do anything, but they weren't kenneled up in the kitchen like they usually are while we're at work. I've tried using the can of coins to shake when I catch him, but like I said...stealth mode. I know this isn't seperation anxiety...maybe it's a "hey, why are you here and not letting us sleep like we usually do all day" anxiety!

[Ann]

WOW, that is unbelievable!! My chocolate lab started doing that but when I was away only. He had separation anxiety too. Yes, that is exactly what Samson does, you don't know he has something until he starts chewing in his mouth and then, you know he has something! I'm not sure what the answer is to that.