My friend has just rescued a 4 month lurcher pup but is having big trouble training her.She has an older lurcher and if she tries to keep both dogs in the kitchen the older one chews to get out.When pup is left for just a couple of hours she messes in the house(anywhere) and today she has chewed the door handle off.I suggested a crate for the pup but she has heard a horror story of a dog chewing the metal bars and becoming impaled - very nasty.I have never heard of this- has anyone else? I suggested going back to basic housetraining- using food treats as a reward but my friend does not approve of tit bits but i did explain these are not tit bits just rewards.Has anyone else any ideas i could give her?

Has she never heard of dogs electrocuting themselves by chewing on cables??  So long as the dogs collar is removed when it's in the crate the risk should be minimal.  It may also help the older dog to relax too, as he's obviously under stress too :(

Maybe your friend would be happier using something other than food treats as a reward?  Does the dog like a game with a ball or a tugger?  Maybe he's just a fuss hound and would simply enjoy some one to one fuss?  If using these as rewards it's best to limit them to just the reward situation or they loose their value.