My English Bull puppy has over the last two weeks chewed two door frames and today i came in and he had chewed a door, he has toys to play with and a "Kong" which i put a treat in and he is usually ok playing with that for a while . Me and my fiance are working, but i come home every two hours to let him out for the toilet, also i stop with him for a while and he always seems ok Eventually he is coming to work with me full time, but while he is still very boisterous i can't really take him. Now i know he has been teething so could it be down to that? what sort of age do they stop teething? I am not that bothered about the doors and frames as they are replacable, but i dont want my dog to get into bad habits..
Please can you give me your advice on what you would do..
Thanks
Matt :)

Get bitter apple -- it's safe and deters dogs from chewing.

I've tried Bitter Bite on our door frames and cat flap (our 4mth old pup loves chewing that) but I think that he likes the taste. Tried a few brands now but same has happened. Someone suggested chilli powder/paste to me but I haven't tried it yet!

Hi Matt,

My puppy took a shine to my bottom corner shelves in the kitchen,I bought some spray deterrent, which didn't work at all.. One day when he'd had a wet accident on the kitchen floor I got out the Savlon Antiseptic Disinfectant,just to get rid of the smell in case he thought it might be a good idea for the future.. He'd been really good at going outside before then.. when he came rushing up to see what I was doing he just jumped back when he smelt the cloth.. I then poured the neat solution over the shelves and he won't go near them now.. I don't know if it will help you but it certainly worked for me !!

Sandy x x :)

thanks sandy, will try it as we tried spray when he took a shine to the kitchen table and chairs and it didnt work...
Matt xx

Hi I have a Bull Terrier pup too and they do like to chew.Where is he/she left when you are not at home?.i have a crate that she not only uses as her own space but when she has to be left alone she is safe in there and so is the house!!.Why not try one
Kim

We put mustard on our door frames. Our male Floyd chews through doors to get at our bitch when she is in season. So we put mustard on and it seems to stop him. It does stain the bare wood though, a nice shade of yellow. :)

Kim i have a crate, but hate the idea of leaving him in that even though its a big one. I know people do but its just me.

He has just started to chew a door even though we are just sitting about 10 feet away in the living room, caught him at it so he has been told off..

I didnt like the idea at first but really it is the best thing for your house and your dog he will get used to it and soon he will go in there on his own just give it a try.Never use it as punishment as he will learn to hate it.Put lots of bedding and some toys that he is allowed to chew on and within a few weeks you will have a different dog.If you are coming back ever 2 hours you wont be leaving him for long anyway.Just try it.Hope you get on ok
KIM

If the spray doesn't work, tabasco sauce usually will. Then again, some dogs seem to like the taste! Won't hurt to try though.

If you read Jan Fennells book (The Dog Listener) she says the reason a dog often chews a door frame is because it's where they watch you leave and so try to chew to get to you (their pack leader). She suggests leaving and entering through a window (could be a bit tricky) and reports success following this way. If you could buy or borrow the book you might find it very interesting reading.
Lorna

Lorna, i can see the logic in that. Can the dog listner be bought from any bookshop??
thanks
Matt :)

The dog listener can be bought from most book shops but make sure you get the first one as there is a second book in the series that does not give all the info but goes into more depth on the theory and practice.

The case described in Jan Fenells book where she asked the lady to leave through the window, was because her dog had not
excepted her as a packleader yet and was only used to break a pattern.
The main reason for house-wrecking behaviour like this (as described by Jan Fennel in detail) is that the dog thinks he or she is the leader and therefor gets anxious when one of the pack leaves.
If it sees you as the packleader it does not have any responsibility and will therefor accept naturally that you as the packleader have the
right to come and go as you please.
I highly recommend reading the book first before trying to stop the behaviour by leaving throug the window. ;)

Blimey, ive had to call for the fire brigade today because at 17.5 stone i got stuck trying to get out of my window ;) :D
No seriously thanks for the help, i'm going into town tomorrow and try to get the book

Is this the book in question??

http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/

Thats the one, it seems to be on the shelf at larger book stores like Waterstones, or WHSmith. Sorry I got confused about climbing through the window, (it's a long time since I read it). I did have to break in the window one day as I couldn't find my keys and my dogs watched me very excitedly as if I'd gone mad :) :)
Lorna