HI,
I've had a 6 month old pup for about a month now. He seemed to be doing pretty well in his cage while I was at work but I began to notice liquid on the bottom of his cage upon my return. At first I could not figure out what it was (it didn't really have a smell) I've now learned that he is chewing on the door of the cage. He must be doing it for hours for his paws are soaking when I come home. It breaks my heart to think he is so upset that he is chewing like that. I'm not sure what to do. I have looked at many questions and sites and thought maybe someone else has gone through this. I rescued him and have no knowlege of his upbringing. He is very happy and is housetrained. He sleeps with us and the cat and will not get up until we do. I am his alpha as I was the one who got him and spent the first days with him. His daddy spends more time at work so I think I have become the one closest to him. He is easily redirected from destructive chewing (shoes, table ec...). The other day when I left I heard him begin to whine and cry as I locked the door. I hadn't heard him do that before.

Should I give him something to chew on when he is in there? Should I crate him more often when I am home? He has no problem going into the cage. He will watch patiently as we get our coffee, shoes ec.... PLease help if you can. I had no idea that this pup would make me feel the way I do and I really need to know he his content when I am gone. I feel guilty, upset and think of him all day while at work! It just breaks my heart when I come home to find him and the cage a slobbery mess like that. Any advise would be so appreciated!!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!!

ciao -M

How long are you leaving your pup in his cage, how much exercise does he get before going into it in the morning?
Yes you should definatley give him something to chew on/play with whilst he is in there.
Does he REALLY have to be crated whilst you are at work, is there not a room you can leave him in, with toys to play with and a radio on, that he cant do too much damage in?
Be careful what you do give him though, I would recommend a filled Kong toy, or even two or three. Fill them with some thing really tasty at the bottom, and then fill up with dryed dog food so he really has to work at it to get the food out. Make sure you deduct this from his daily rations, or you will end up with a fat puppy!

Emma

HI there

If I have read this correctly, you crate the pup whilst you are at work, so not sure how long this involves, but if he whines whilst you are on the way out, he may be getting anxious. It would be better to keep him in say, just one room which is relatively free of possible trouble - and give him plenty to chew and play with :)

When at home, try putting up child gates and get him used to not ALWAYS being with you - totally ignore any whining but big praise and maybe let back in if he chooses to be quiet. This way you will be giving him the gift of confidence and just a little bit of independence.

For some dogs it is hard to spend all their time with their owners, and then hours on their own. Give him lots of quality time and fun, but also time on his own, when you are in the same house. Start off by ensuring he can see you and give chew toys as a reward to help him associate being on his own, whetehr you arein or out, a good thing.

HTh a bit

Lindsay

Thank you so much for your advise. I tried to put some treats in the cage and a chew toy and it seemed like he didn't chew on the cage as much. There was only a little saliva on the floor of the cage. I appreciate your help.
THankyou for taking the time to help.

-M

We had to abandon Molly's crate as she kept biting it and as we bought a big cage for her (too big I would think) she got her teeth caught in it once and I couldnt bear to think she could do it again! Used the cage to give her peace from our other dog really when she was young but as husband works mostly from home we ditched it. Hope things work out for you
Gina

Again, I have posted (longer) on this before - but to me if your dog is well behaved outwith a crate and is distressed and chewing the crate - try ditching it! My dog hated it, amounting one night to him hanging off the sides with his teeth and really barking, crying with distress - took him out, put him in a basket and never another bit of bother. They are all different, but alot of the time dogs want to be with you and not caged in. If he was totally destroying the house etc, well, needs must, but I would give him a chance outwith the crate. Try leaving him for very short periods in a basket (or leave cage open) - ie 20 minutes etc. Mine knows when I go out and just goes off to bed and sleeps.

Good luck