Hi,

We have a 7 month old Labrador "pup" who has always chewed everything within sight! He's got better with most things, but he insists on chewing his bedding into tiny pieces! It wouldn't bother me if he lived inside our house, it's his own fault that he only has a plastic basket! Trouble is, he sleeps outside in our conservatory with the back door open. I know his coat should probably be enough to keep him warm, but I'd be happier if he would at least keep something in his bed to sleep on and snuggle up with.

Is there anything out there that is Lab Resistant?! I've tried Vet Bed and that's just in bits around the garden now!

Thanks
Ruth

He's just doing what Labradors do best Ruth. I use one of the plastic dog beds, getting a medium sized one for a puppy. I figure that by the time it's got destroyed the puppy will have grown out of it anyway. Not all plastic beds are equal! Some are almost indestructible, the best Lab efforts will only go towards sharpening the top edge. Others seem brittle and I have seen large chunks snapped right out leaving a sharp edge. Definitely not Labrador proof!

In the bed I usually start off using old sweaters and the like until they are all eaten and I have nothing to wear then I start on "Vet Bed". The original is possibly the strongest although also possibly the dearest. Don't buy the pretty little pre packed printed stuff you see in pet shops and garden centres, you will pay through the nose for it! Buy the biggest bit you can find and cut it into "Bed sized" pieces. Hopefully by the time the last piece has been eaten he will be sick of the taste and will have given it up as a bad job! Anna stopped eating her bed when she got to about two years old so you have plenty of time yet to practise!

Best wishes, John

Ruth,
I have a Lab who is a year and 4 months. SHe still chews her bedding. It is just a little corner. I think it is just what they do. She chews up anything that she can.

I have a 3 yr old who still shreds a vet bed into 2'' squares :)  and a 6month pup that has never chewed her bed or anything else, all individuals. :)

My lot are still chewing! The 2+half yr male loves to walk around dragging vet bed or taking it outside where it gets used as a tug o war with one of the others, I have very few that haven`t got holes in them or a corner or 2 nibbled away at The males have managed to destroy a few hard plastic bed but they were about just over 2yrs when they stopped that. Glen, 4+half yrs still pinches & chews socks or hankies.
I`ve had the kennel mate beds for a few mths now & they`ll still in 1 piece except the young bitches one & thats just had a nibble on the corner but she`s not broke thru the material.......yet! :D

Christine, Spain.