We have a one year old Papillon, Freddy, I am hoping someone may be able to advise regarding his chewing habit - he is not left alone much, but if I go out for even a short while he chews up anything lying around. He only has access to the kitchen/dining area and as a result of this I do move anything chewable before going out, just leaving him with his own chew toy. But now he has started to chew the chair legs and I can't take these out of the room! I am not keen on the idea of putting him in a crate as we haven't had him from puppyhood and he was not used to a crate, and they stress him out. Is there maybe a product I can apply to the chair legs to stop him chewing them? And is it an anxiety issue because when we are around he only chews appropriate things?

Hi Honeybee

There are products you can buy to apply to the chair legs, they work with some dogs and not others.  You may want to try this in in the first instance but he may just move onto something else instead (bottom of kitchen cabinets for example).  The fact that he does not do it when you are there suggests the fact that it could be anxiety related, however, if you have corrected him in the past for doing it, he may only attempt it when you are not there.

Can you move about in the house, leaving him in another room without him showing signs of stress?  Very often, owners allow the dogs to follow them everywhere at home which can sometimes cause problems when the owner leaves the house.  Where does he sleep at night?  You say he is not left alone very often, what sort of timescales are we talking?  Do you not leave him for days on end and then suddenly leave him for a couple of hours?

I apologise for all the questions but it is very difficult to ascertain the problem with a little more information.

Sorry I meant without a little more information.

Hi Zajak
I think Freddy would always prefer to follow me about the house but I don't always let him, but he knows if I'm still in the house (he can see me go out the front door from the area where he is left) He is most settled when with someone even though he has the company of our other dog.
He does sleep on our bed at night! He curls up at our feet and is very happy, no bother at all!
He tends to be left each day for 20mins-half an hour for school pick ups so not for very long and he should be used to our comings and goings by now I think. He is never left for hours at a time.
Yes maybe if we found something to apply to the chair legs he would move on to something else, I do suspect he is anxious when left, he is very sensitive, but I am not sure how to improve things. He is a lot calmer than when we got him so maybe he will grow out of this habit? (though I don't think the chairs will last much longer!)

I'm sure more experienced people will be along soon to offer some advise on how to go about de-stressing him. But as to what you can put on to stop chewing - Vicks vaporub, Boots own brand works fine as well. I've got a Rottie that liked to chew wires, walls and seemed to be offended by the sharp edges on skirting boards and bannisters. We tried the bitter apple stuff and the other sprays you can buy at pet shops but she seemed to like the taste! The only thing that works for us is the vicks.

Sounds so familar..don't most pups chew out of boredom? I think that's what you need to cure.  Have you tried stuffing a kong with some nice tasty treats? Molly is never left without a stuffed kong to keep her occupied, frozen gravy with dog biscuits is her fave although messy! I know you can buy sprays that are supposed to act as a chew deterrent & I've heard other people use vicks rub on chairs - not sure if this could give the pup upset stomach or something similar.  HTH.

Have you heard of dap diffusers? They help the dog feel calm and content and work a bit like a plug in air freshener, they work for some dogs and not others, may be worth a try?  Kong suggestion is a good idea tho if it is anxiety related the dogs often won't eat until you return, give it a go and see what happens.

The other thing that is worth remembering is that you need the pup mentally tired as well as physically if possible. Try to do 5 minutes of training with him 20 mins or so before you have to go out.  Do you have a training club near you that teaches clicker training?Its a great way of mentally stimulating them which gives the bonus of a tired dog!  You have more chance of the dog settling and not chewing if he is mentally tired.

Also, when you leave the house and when you return do not make a fuss of him, just ignore him so that exits and returns are really non events.  This will help keep him in a more relaxed frame of mind if he is not anticipating a huge excitement.

In the first instance, I would try the kong, chew spray and some training before you leave and see what happens.

Thanks all! Some good ideas to try. Will try the kong but Freddy normally won't eat if he is anxious, he is quite highly strung!
I do think training is a great idea and I should go to a class as I don't know how to train him anymore than I have already, I think Freddy does need more mental stimulation and that is really worth a try. Will try to buy the diffuser too. I already have a dap spray which I have used in the car for anxiety, and it has worked (although the poor dog is still travel sick at least he is calm!)