My 1 year old bull terrier has never liked being on her own,and in the end i tired cageing her,i built it up over a peroid of time till i got to the 4hours i need her to be left for.She was ok for a bit but now shes started to relieve herself (very messy,like 3 foot radius round the cage,poop everywhere)in the cage.Shes also broken out of two kinds of cage,causing herself some cuts and bruises on the way, though thankfully not serious. So i just left her in the house again...bad move house recieved severe damage. Shes out for, now im being honest here...20 mins morning 20 lunch time 1hour+ evening at the beach or the park+shes in the backgarden alot when im home.Im just not sure what to do now,ive tried kongs, toys, etc which she loves but wont touch less im there.So far shes nailed 4 doors the skirting boards, countless toilet rolls etc.Ive heard its just her age and she may grow out of it but i need a solution now.

have you tried her in a proper dog crate

Theres no way she could get out of one, and dogs tend not to relieve themselves in it as they see it as their bed
You put all their bedding in and some toys.

When you say she's in the back garden when you're home do you mean shut out or has access to the back garden???

She might not like it to start with but she'll get used to it and it will save your house from being torn to bits while she's in her "teenage period"

Have you tried teaching her it's OK to be on her own in the house? It's not a natural position for dogs, they are pack animals, and the things you have described are all sypmtoms of a dog whose suffering seperation anxiety. A DAP defusser could also help.........

Hello

As you know Ihave two ISBTs and my male would never touch anything in the house when left alone, the bitch on the other hand will destroy the house if left for two minutes on her own, or even left with the male.
I cage my female when I go out (with my dogs) only joking. I know what you mean about them escaping from crates (yes Rachael they manage it although it defeats me how) I now use 4 bulldog clips along with the standard crate locks. I dont have the answer to stopping it so I just lock her up. My dogs are never left for more than 1 or 2 hours on their own.

Mick

Thanx again for the advice,ok,i`ll just persever with the crate, this morning the cheeky bitch just got upoff the seat she sleeps in in my bedroom and went and relieved herself in my livingroom! i couldnt believe it,but anyway........should i try to make her sleep in the cage all the time or is it ok to let her sleep on her seat at night? Also the making a mess of the cage is obviously making her more upset about being in the thing, and really if you could see the look on her face as im opening the door if shes had an accident...it would bring a tear to a glass eye.

Hi

Whats right for one dog doesnt need to be right for them all. My bitch sleeps in her cage when I go to bed, or go out. Mine messed the cage for a few weeks when very young. I persevered and now she doesnt. If my bitch needs out and you dont see her at the door she will just dump it somewhere else. The male on the other hand will keep it in till he bursts. She obviously doesnt like messing her cage. Perhaps you should try timing her feeding times and walks to make sure she has the chance to empty herself before being locked up. I feed my dogs early in the day.(before eleven) and have not had any accidents since starting this. (touch wood my head) Maybe worth a try.

Mick

ive got two english bull terriers, boy and a girl. I had a lot of trouble with the boy using the cage as a toilet in the begining. I started locking the cage whilst i was at home with his favourite blanket in, then gradually letting him use the cage as a treat rather than a punishment. He now goes immediately to his cage and puts himself in if hes done something wrong which indicates to us he did it.

Whats the best make of cage to get as Rogues well on her way to nailing this one,it cost £60 but the metals too thin she can bend it...any sugestions? As shes hurting her nose with it.....not good

Hi - I also had a problem with my Weim pup soiling his cage but it was something he stopped doing once he got the hang of the fact it was his bed. Perhaps if you introduce the cage to your dog for nighttime sleeping she'll realise its her den. Like one of the other posts, it does sound like it might be seperation anxiety - my Weim also used to go FRANTIC when left alone and I got a pheromone diffuser from my vets which worked wonders and I highly recommend.

I got a 42" crate off ebay for £58 including delivery - amazing price, doubt youd manage to beat that! Its sold by a shop and is something you purchase outright rather than having to bid for.

Thanx Ill look at the defuser thing,I really need to get a quality cage as shes just too strong for this one.

HI, DO YOU LEAVE THE TELLY OR RADIO ON FOR THEM WHEN YOU GO OUT? I CANT USE THE TELLY AS MY LADY BULLY DOESNT LIKE OTHER ANIMALS ON THE TELLY BUT ALWAYS LEAVE THE RADIO ON FOR THEM.

KYNNE.

Yip i leave the radio for her,,cant wait till my friends back from holiday so she wont be alone at all again. I can tell shes finding this stressfull as shes never been left alone before.

Hi,
after quite a bit of internal house damage I purchased a crate/cage for my 8/9mth old rescue dog this weekend. I have noticed that despite treats/toys etc he didn't really want to settle in it. I have now thrown a sheet over the crate/cage covering it so when he is in it he cna only see out of the front of it, which in turn has made it much darker and more of a den inviroment and he now appears fine in it, granted it has only been 4 days in use but heres hoping. Covering yours might help.

I tried that but she pulled the cover into the cage.still cant find a new cage i like the look of.