Stop with the free feeding... this is a dog that needs to be on a schedule. And a cup and a half might be too much for a 20lb dog. Try reducing it to a cup. I have also found that feeding 2x's a dog is better than once a day. I have never let my dogs free feed. Once he is on a schedule you can mostly determine when he should have to go... and then you take him out and stay out till he goes. A trick you can use (many don't like this but I will put it out there) is what people that show use. Insert a match in his bum half way.... This will stimulate him to go, when he does praise/treat him. And until he gets the idea, you will need to keep him crated or on leash. You can search the forum for other conversations about using a match to stimulate. Search for match trick
Help with furniture and shoe and etc. chewing
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For a picky chewer, try a bully stick. I use the braided ones and they last a very long time. The single ones go down to fast and don't seem to satisfy the chewing instinct some dogs have. They're a little expensive at the pet store ($20.00 for 2 12" braided sticks at our local petsmart) but if you find your Starla likes them, you can order in bulk at a rescue society in CA, Walkin' The Bark…
http://www.walkinthebark.com/
Their product is wonderful. My older B with teeth problems even likes them. (As a matter of fact my vet said his gums and teeth look better this year than they have in the past 3 years–-it's the 1st product I have found in MANY years he will chew on) The single strand may be an option for you in case you just want to try them to see if Starla likes them.My Katie is a digger/scratcher. Ruined uncountable quilts, couche cushions, rugs, etc. We finally built her a sandbox in the back yard (a couple of 2 X 4's, bags of play sand, and some from our lake front to satisfy the scent factor) and she's happy to have a place of he own to dig to her hearts content. We also bury some of her favorite objects in the sand pit for her to 'discover'.
Good luck!!
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Try putting a little Peanut Butter on her toys or something else that is sticky that she likes. Sometimes it takes a little bit with the Nylabones and the Kong before they will like it. Some destuffed animals work really well for the most part. I get mine at the second hand store (no beanies) wash them, sometimes I'll rip out the stuffing and then give it to them to play with. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a try I'd say.
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Another thing my breeder suggested for mine was to give her an uncooked frozen soup bone (though I let it thaw a little). Most grocers have these - sometimes sold as "pet bones" or "marrow bones". This keeps Gossy occupied alllllll day and helps keep her teeth clean too.
I have to make sure she has someplace to hide it though when she takes a break (like the box with recycled papers) or else she will try to hide it in the couch or under the carpet or some other unsuitable place. -
Thank you! I went right out and bought one (well, I have to drive to another town, but got right on it since this morning we're looking at 6" of snow and it's still falling hard - sideways (that's Wyoming for ya)… She really LOVES it!! They smell awful, though! Thanks for the tips - I LOVE the sandbox idea!!! I appreciate all of the info you all have shared!! Thanks!!
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I don't know if she's destructive at night or not… I mean, the second night we left her out for most of the night, and she eventually went to sleep, but I got up really early cuz I was nervous about it... So... I don't know!!! We've been "doggie proofing" the room, but she has gnawed on our couch and on blankets, and obviously we have our bed in our room :), so I guess that's the main thing she could get other than the fact that our air purifier is plugged in where she could get to the cord. We've been thinking about how to remedy that... I just need to get sleep or I get migraines, so I can't have a situation where I never get normal sleep, ya' know? It's so hard and sad to get her in the crate, though!!!
Thanks for any input!!!I have never had one of my dogs be destructful (?) while they were supposed to be sleeping in the bed. They usually jump up on the bed, get under the covers, and sleep thru the night. In fact, they usually want to sleep much longer than the humans are allowed to.
Usually the destruction happens because either they are bored, or are frustrated that they can't get to what they want…when they are happy to be with you, and/or sleeping, none of the above apply
I would definitely try it, and see how it goes.
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Thank you!! I will try it, indeed! I really REALLY want her to be happy and well-adjusted, and it just seems that the crate is NOT working for her… I understand the advantages of having them "crate trained," but she's been crated for 2 years!! I think we'll just go for it. We even tried the pheromone spray in the crate last night and it seemed like it made it worse!!! I don't know... I don't think she can ever not think of it as traumatic... THANKS ALL!!!
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Okay, ya know…I thought about it, and I *did have one instance where a dog got up early and ate the pockets (and maybe crotch, yuck!) out of a pair of jeans. It was Blondie (the wonder dog...shh, my favorite!) and it was my fault because I left the pair of jeans on the floor after the pockets had held dog treats...I don't know why she chose the crotch, and don't want to...TMI, huh? Also, Blondie IS an early riser..but she did this one time when she was less than a year old, and has never done anything like it again. And she is still my favorite (please don't tell the others!)
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lol!!!!! Well, Starla is two, but might as well be two months for her lack of any and all experience! She has dragged a pair of my pants out of the laundry room and she loves to lick my husband's socks when he isn't here (ew, but at least he isn't a "stinky feet" type!!), but I've always caught her!! I think if we dog proof a lot we can pull it off… and I'm good at dogproofing because of my parents' aforementioned looney dog tall beagle/pit who STILL, at six years old, will do things like chew my Dad's electric razor to the point of non-recognition if he leaves it on the counter (she easily jumps onto their counters!!! yikes!!)
Thanks again!!! -
Did you try the bully stick or the marrow bone? Either way, glad your dog liked it. It sure can cut down on the destructive behavior in the house when you find something your dog likes to chew other than furniture and shoes (etc…)
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Indeed!! It's the bully stick that she liked… and she's really into her Kong Wubba that I got at the same time... although it's only the first full day she's had it and it's already torn a bit. But that's okay, she did that initially really quick and then I think she realized that she liked it and so stopped outright destroying it! She loves to get that ball in her mouth and make it squeak! She even slept with it on the couch - it was awesome! Thanks again for all of the advise... I think we're going to go crateless tonight and see how it goes! Wish us luck!!!
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I am blissfully relieved!!! We've had Starla out of her crate for two nights and she curls up at my feet and sleeps through the night!! The only problem is if my husband has to get up early and it isn't dark anymore, then she gets upset, but we can work on that!! I am so happy! Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions!!!
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Glad things seem to be working out okay now.
