Background: 4 months ago we adopted Ginger (basenji mix) We think mix because she barks, tail is mostly straight and one ear curls down most of time. But looks exactly like a Basenji. Vet says 2-3 years old. Was not fixed when we got her and was Heart Worm positive. We have been on alternative heartworm treatment since day one. 2 more months and we recheck for HW. Will get her fixed once that is taken care of. But very healthy otherwise and has gained a few pounds already. She is around 33lb now.
We have a 5yo Corgi pembroke, and a 4yo daughter. Dog door in attached sunroom to the back yard. 6ft privacy fence lots of shade ect.
She gets along wonderful with Sasha our corgi and our daughter and every person she has met. Little shy and timid at first but about over that. Not sure if that was from the pound or previous owner ect. She isnt aggresive at all though. Well except random cats and squirrels in the neighborhood.
They both sleep with me and for the most part she is a GREAT dog. Just the chewing on random stuff. Most time its just a corner or small bit of something.
Problem: She chewed the couch cushion yesterday while we were at work. Just the corner off. Second piece of furniture in 4 months. First was dining room table leg just a little bit on week one. She loves shoes and jacket zippers and childs toys ect. Which was ok. We all learned to pick up everything off the floor and close bedroom doors and even use a child 6 section gate as a barrier for the sunroom/playroom for our daughters toys. We have accepted she loves to chew and try to work around that. Also makes daughter put her dinner plates in the kitchen when finished and guard her food till shes done.
Its the furniture that set my wife off. Talking about I need to do something or pen her outside while we are gone ect. since we have the corgi, I dont want to pen one and not the other fearing it may cause problems between them.
What I tried today: Closed the folding doors to the sunroom and left the dogs in the gated off section. This is attached to the back door with dog door so they can go outside and roam. play ect. They have about a 12x6 maybe bit bigger area with both dog beds, water and some toys. As long as ginger doesnt climb the gate and get to all my daughters toys we are fine. But if she does I will have to do something else.
At first she wouldnt fetch at all and really didnt like to play except with me semi-rough housing. Corgi loves to fetch. Finally got her to fetch one toy. So we play fetch outside twice a day on nice days and down the hall on rainy days. This has helped alot with her random chewing while we are at home. Corgi is also losing weight which was much needed.
I give her condensed rawhide bones 2-3 times a week at most. If she gets to many she gets upset tummy and gags/spits up for day or so. Found this out over christmas with inlaws visiting lol.
She can go through a normal rawhide bone in minutes. Tried the busy buddy and that worked for a week or so. But now that lasts no time. She likes chewing on ropes some but not all the time. We have a kong and she likes that for a little bit. But soon as treat is gone shes done with it. She can destroy most toys, chew bones in no time flat. Very hard chewer.
I dont really scold her much. Just a strong NO and the look. She knows when she has done bad. Shes very well behaved besides some chewing.
Need some toy suggestions and anything else that may help me out with her. Just wanting to make sure im taking the right steps with her. The dogs are home alone for about 7-7.5 hours a day. Going to get more toys so she has a variety.
If worst comes to worst I can build a doghouse area outside and the dogs can stay outside during the day. But its gets pretty hot here in the summer and lots of rain. Wanting to avoid that. Also my corgi is spoiled house dog and with her double coat of hair not sure she would endure very well in the heat alll days. Wife doesnt want to leave corgi out all day, she wants me to pen Ginger and leave Sasha in the house. Also can be fairly cold in winter some days.
