labrador 14 months destroying everything at night

[ernesttheBavarian]

Our dog is now 12 months. been with us 11 months. Since we got her she has always slept alone in the sitting room, locked in.

She chews EVERYTHING that she can. We no longer have cushions. She no longer has a bed. Countless headphones/chargers/items of clothing/books.

We obviously cleared the room but annoying kids and blind dh being what they are, stuff occasionally gets over looked. We used to have books on a shelf under our coffee table which she learnt eventually to dig out and eat.

We get really careful to clear of an evening before we go to bed. The more careful we are, the more she seems to search out previously unexplored ares that used to be safe. So now she's climbing to get stuff off high surfaces.

It was suggested we let her sleep in our or a dc room as she's doing it due to stress/boredom, but dh is absolutely and totally against it and thinks she'll just chew up the stuff in their rooms too.

So, short of having a completely empty room, how do we deal with this?

Yes, but I think it's the liner that bothers her. She went in it loads yesterday but will not go in it today. Not at all.

Agree with what pps have said.

She needs her bed in there and anything to make it like a den. Try covering 3 sides and the top - you can buy covers for this purpose - to give it a cosy cave feel. Also take it really slowly.

She's still very young, do you think it's possible she is being over stimulated?

She's having a lot of walks and all the play with your DC. She does need to learn to be on her own, to entertain herself and just chill out.

She needs to learn to be on her own gradually in her happy home environment, otherwise every time you leave her alone she's going to feel like she did in the rescue and she'll behave like the stressed puppy she was before you came along and gave her a loving home.

Good luck.

TBH while I am not an expert I really don't think she is stressed or suffering from separation anxiety. When she's alone she doesn't bark, howl, defecate/urinate, she doesn't pace or anything. She just chews. But if we're out in the garden, she also chews e.g. sticks, my plants etc, even when I'm right there.

I'll try covering it. I am feeling frustrated right now. Nothing works. or so it feels.

Persevere. Our dog doesnt particularly like his crate but he goes in just takes time. Our first few days we tried lots of things. Butwe never close the door unless we are eating(he likes to watch a little to closely) but he is fi e. Some days he doesnt go in. Im not forcing him as id like to not use it. Just keep it as comfortable as possible.

We tried hiding stuff in his bed and under it etc get him i. And think its fun and treats when they he stays in himself for a peruod of time. At first when he just went in and out he got a treat. Now if he stays in for an hour or 2 without closing the door he is getting treAts. (Think he is on to us haha) you will find something that works. Just takes time. Xx

Leave the cage door open in the daytime for her to wander in and out of at her own free will. Put her favourite toys in there. If she is a bed chewer then out fleecy blankets in there instead of stuffed bedding (we have to do this with our lab or she destroys the beds). Make sure your kids never go in the cage - it has to be the dogs private space. Make sure she has a drink in there :) it takes perseverance and gently encouragement but she will learn to love her cage - mine goes and gets in there all the time of her own free will for a nap instead of on her snuggly bed in the living room!

I put her breakfast in there and she was starving but she wouldn't go in to eat it. Not all day. Nothing will induce her in. No snacks or food or treats. There is a bowl of water in too. I just don't think she will ever go in of her own free will. And if I force her she'll be more scared of it and hate it even more.

Am thinking I need to return it. But then what do I do about the chewing?

Could I just lock her in the downstairs loo or something. It's bigger than a crate...

brief update, she is getting on well with her crate. I have found the most amazing lovely doggy trainer and she works magic. She will go in it, and stay in it with door shut and be relaxed, eat dinner in there, lie down etc. building up to a full night.

Thanks everyone. Trainer doesn't think she's stressed, just under stimulated and a naughty chew monster who's clever and plotting. She also thinks the unbelievable amount of shedding is diet related, so I have changed her diet, I know this can take time to adjust, so hopeful that will improve too.

Thanks for your help.

Glad things are improving