So how much should I be prepared for my new dog to chew

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

She's coming over for the day on Friday and if all goes well she will be coming for good a week tomorrow.

She's a 3yo greyhound who's never lived in a home environment before. The rescue place chose her for us as she's timid and they think she will be scared of the cat (good thing).

I've been over to walk her today and the lady asked me if I'd got a cage/crate yet. I was a bit suprised as I don't remember saying I was getting one and said that I hadn't got one and did I need one. She said to try her without one at first and see how she goes.

But now she's saying that as she's a nervous, "clingy" dog then she's worried that the dog won't settle when she's left for short periods and may chew. We're moving all of dd's toys ot of the dining room which doesn't leave much apart from the table, chairs and carpet. Is she likely to try them? DH will go nuts not be too happy if she does.

I've read all about seperation anxiety and how to prepare a dog for been left by going out for 5 mins, then 10, then half an hour, etc. I have 5 days where I don't need to go to work to build her up.

[bella29]

She may well chew all of those, yes. Is a crate out of the question? She would probably be much happier, you wouldn't get wee & poo all over your carpet and things wouldn't get chewed.

Five days before you go to work may not be enough to settle her in - will anyone else be with her when you are at work?

Good luck with her anyway.

[Tiggiwinkle]

Crates are a godsend and I would really advise you to get one. Dogs generally love them too as they provide somewhere safe for them to retreat to. (You obviously get them used to the crate gradually if they are an older dog, as yours is.)

[LittleB]

Yes, get a crate, they are great. My friends have a dog that has its own room and is only ever left for 1/2 a day max but sometimes chews - he chews the walls, biting the plaster off and eating the skirting board. Having said that your dog might be fine. But 5 days isn't alot to settle a dog in, although it depends how much you are out at work for after this time. When I got rescue dogs I was told it would take 6mths for them to be fully settled and their true personality to come out. I would agree with this as we had a collie who was quiet and depressed and became a lively happy dog but it took several months. Good luck with your greyhound, they are lovely dogs.

[othersideofthefence]

Another recommendation for a crate.
We crate trained our last puppy and it made the whole process soooo much easier. She loved the crate and would go in there of her own accord. Infact, our existing dog (not crate trained and v old) loved it too and they would both get in there together (along with the cat)

We have a rescue dog coming to live with us soon so the crate will be back out again.