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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To rehome our dog?

107 replies

Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 09:37

We have a 6 month old labrador. We love him dearly but are at the end of our tether with his destructiveness. We are moving into rented accommodation soon and we are really worried he's going to do something to the house.

He digs up the lawn and we have had to relay the turf, we normally put him in his crate when we go out but the last few times we have left him in the front room with a chew and his toys (we never leave him for more than 2 hours and always walk him before we go), anyway we arrived home and he had torn our new sofa apart.... Insurance are going to pay for it. This morning I got out of teh shower to find he had done the same thing to the other sofa, as well as scratched the hell out of the floorboards.

We can't watch him constantly and don't know what to do... We're not irresponsible owners, walk him, he plays with other dogs daily, we play games with him, crate him at night... We're now worried he will damage the rented house we are moving into...

OP posts:
Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 09:57

honeytea - yes, so do the children. We have a huge field opposite too which he spends a lot of time in playing with other dogs.

akaemmafrost - I guess we were a bit premature about letting him out of his crate

OP posts:
Lougle · 27/09/2012 09:59

I feel for you, but I'm a bit surprised that you would leave a 6 month old puppy for 2 hours unrestricted!

I have a 10 month old puppy, and posted about containing him after he managed to break his dog gate. I have since bitten the bullet and allowed him to stay in the main house when I go out, and the first thing I do when I get back is check for chewed things and poos/wees, just in case. I'm lucky that he hasn't so far done either, but 4 months ago, both would have been guaranteed!

akaemmafrost · 27/09/2012 09:59

I know it's a pain the damage that's already been caused but I honestly don't see this as a massive problem because it can be easily solved using the crate Smile.

DeliaRose · 27/09/2012 10:00

I'd think about the message it sends to your children too...

fishybits · 27/09/2012 10:04

It's what they do I'm afraid. I crated my lab if I wasn't able to keep an eye on her and yes that meant even when I was in the shower. We got her whilst in rented accommodation and it's fine if managed properly but you cannot leave them unattended for a minute.

Merrylegs · 27/09/2012 10:05

He will grow out of it, but it's whether you can stick with it until he does.

My dog was exactly the same between the ages of 6 and 16 months (sorry - you've got a while to go!) and if the kids hadn't loved him to distraction I would have cheerfully got rid. (Sorry dog!)

He is now a laid back 5 year old and I am v glad he is still with us!

Crating helped when we were out. I agree, it is v stressful, but it's also a commitment.

TantrumsAndGoldAndOrange · 27/09/2012 10:06

Really?? Really?

You have a 6 month old lab. You don't crate him. You let him stay unsupervised after he chewed up one sofa and then you are suprised that he chewed up another?

Did you not bother to do any research into breeds and puppies before you got the dog?

This is yet another thread I will have to hide because to be honest, the reason so many dogs are in rescues and being put to sleep is because people don't bother to even try and understand the practicalities of having a puppy. It's ridiculous.

This is what puppy's do. If you leave them unsupervised, let them roam around the house for 2 hours, they chew things up.

I think some dog owners need to accept its their own behaviour at fault, not the dog.

Yes, rehome it. Send it to a rescue. Put it on Facebook.

Because its clearly not convenient for you to actually work with the dog is it?
And next time, get a goldfish.

Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:07

Do you guys crate even when you are in the house but your puppy is unattended? Also, when should you stop crating and will they have 'grown out' of being so destructive? We were told now would be a good age to stop crat

OP posts:
Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:07

crating him whenever we went out

OP posts:
Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:09

TantrumsAndGoldAndOrange - how would you suggest working with our dog to stop this happening?

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DeliaRose · 27/09/2012 10:10

What do you feed him? If you don't do already might be worth switching to a raw diet...google BARF.

Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:11

We feed him BETA dried puppy food

OP posts:
DeliaRose · 27/09/2012 10:12

"Do you guys crate even when you are in the house but your puppy is unattended?"

I would have thought that would be common sense after he chewed up your sofa, TBH.

akaemmafrost · 27/09/2012 10:12

Yes I would crate while at home too if I was busy. Making sure he has lots of tough stuff to chew on in his crate. He will be feeling the urge to chew massively so make sure you give him something Smile.

Lougle · 27/09/2012 10:12

Hmm..we use Purina Beta, too, but someone on The Doghouse suggested switching to a lower protein food, because high protein can make puppies a bit bonkers.

Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:13

I was in a half asleep rush this morning, didn't think about it and jumped in the shower, obviously in hindsight I should have put him in his crate

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DeliaRose · 27/09/2012 10:14

Swap to RAW, it can make a huge difference in behaviour. Start by switching one meal to raw chicken wings, then gradually increase. I get raw chicken carcasses from my butcher and she has a whole one a day, with a bit of raw fruit/veg every now and again. Rabbit is also good.

AnOldieButNotSoGoody · 27/09/2012 10:15

' what did you expect ' is unfair.

I've had 4 dogs during my adult life and none of them have destroyed things at this level.

Yes labs are known for being particularly destructive, some of them not all of them.

I think it's unfair for someone to ask for advice to be told that she's wrong.

The OP sounds like she has done a lot to alleviate this problem already.

OP I would go back to basics with crating him. He goes in his crate when you are not around to watch him, so even if it's just 5 mins whilst you have a shower or bringing the washing in etc, put him in his crate.

Have you spoke to your vet and asked him for advice?

TantrumsAndGoldAndOrange · 27/09/2012 10:15

Crate the dog. Buy a puppy kong and fill it with something nice, and put it in the freezer for him. Buy chew toys. Do a bit of research, there are numerous articles about stopping a puppy chewing.
Don't leave him to run about the house alone for 2 hours.

tabulahrasa · 27/09/2012 10:15

Labs are slow maturing dogs, basically they're puppies until they're 18 months, some even longer and they are a chewy breed.

Give him stuff to chew, crate him if you're not there to supervise and he will...eventually, grow out of it.

DeliaRose · 27/09/2012 10:16

Sometimes pup gets crated even whilst supervised. If the DC and her are all get a bit over excited, she gets sent to 'bed'. I rarely need to close the door now, she'll just curl up and go to sleep.

Merrylegs · 27/09/2012 10:17

Crating - yes, still crate him when you are out - obviously not for hours though!

Crate him in the house when there are other things going on - eg if you are all rushing around trying to get ready for something put him in his crate so he can be away from the action.

Be vigilant.

My puppy had a lovely time chewing a sofa my kids were actually sitting on while they were watching TV. They were oblivious to what he was doing.

lisad123 · 27/09/2012 10:17

we dont crate our dog now but his 2 and a half but certainly didnt consider not using crate till he was about 1 year old. When he was in his crate he had chews, and when he was out he had frozen cong, a tipping cong and treats about the house. Even now though, we make sure nothing is within his reach when we go out. Pencils, anything plastic and kids toys are his fav and if they get chewed then its my fault.

Original poster
Rumplestiltskint · 27/09/2012 10:19

Thanks guys. To be honest it's more DH who freaked out and then suggested rehoming him. I did expect this although perhaps not to this extent...

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GoldShip · 27/09/2012 10:20

The problem with crates is people use them irresponsibly. Especially if their dog is particularly destructive.

Which is why I don't use them at all. And I've got 3 boxer dogs.

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