Bitter apple?

[Hyperfish101]

Anyone used it? I’m pretty much avoiding aversion training but dog happily gets into crate when I’m cooking with the promise of a treat to come. However, although she stays in she occasionally begins chewing her bed. Not always, I give her a toy and that sometimes works. I don’t want her destroying her bed so wondered if that spray might put her off and start her on a chewy toy instead?

[RiaRoth]

Did you try the advice you have previously been given to get her happy and relaxed in the bed in a time when you can increase the duration between the treats?

Bitter apple may work or may just change her behaviour to something else as annoying like barking, or getting back out of the bed. It will not teach her the behaviour you want that is to relax in her bed

[Hyperfish101]

Yes. Have tried. She sometimes just chews a toy. Sometimes the bed. She is not 100% loving it in the crate but I’m afraid she was a danger when we were cooking and it was the only safe place. She goes in if her own accord and is treated. I close the door. She never scrabbles to come out or bark. I’m working towards her staying in without the door closed but I have to balance this against safety. I also don’t want her to ruin her bed.

[Wolfiefan]

What’s the bed? Replace it with vet fleece? Ditch the crate and have her in a pen near you?

[Hyperfish101]

She likes the crate generally. Sleeps in it and chills out in it. I do’t have room for a pen. The crate is already next to us in the kitchen,

I maybe need to up the treat ratio while she’s in the crate.

[Wolfiefan]

How about a stuffed kong? Keep her occupied for longer?

[Hyperfish101]

Good idea. Thanks.

[Dreamersandwishers]

Bitter Apple worked for me on things like skirting boards, shoes etc. I never tried it on his bed as I didn’t want him associating his bed with anything negative.
My dog was a shredder of beds. I took away all the fleecy cuddly stuff and gave him a platform with a duvet and cotton cover on top. Worked a treat. Originally in a crate but he was out of the crate by 4-5 months. He really grew out of destruction as a hobby very quickly.

[Hyperfish101]

Hmmm good point about the bed being associated with negative things. Might just persevere with the treats.

[Helenluvsrob]

Bitter apple is good for “ don’t chew this corner of the coffee table , I don’t think it’d work for in crate stuff - pup is showing isn’t settled / happy - a kong , cheese bone thing or other edible chew might be better - though all give “ don’t use unattended” as warning

[Motorina]

Dogs like to chew. Honestly, if she's happily in her crate and out of her way, then I'd let her get on with it. If you're concerned about damage to the bed, then I'd replace it with something like vetbed which is cheapish and replaceable.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

I've never used a crate however I always made sure my dogs had plenty of chew toys. Try yak chews they chew for hours on them.