Hi there,

My new 6mth old JSI was picked up yesterday.  His name is Lennon (or Lennie which he responds to better).  I also have a 9y/o JSI spayed bitch named Roxy.  Lennon is totally house-trained and has been as good as gold so far.  However, I do have to go out most mornings, and was wondering do any of you have suggestions to avert chewing of the house ?  I'm off shortly to get a Kong which I will fill with goodies and he has several other chewy toys.  I am tempted to leave one of OH's old trainers in the hall in case his own toys are not enough of a distraction.  However, I would actually rather not, as Lennon will not distinguish between "old tatty and can be chewed" and "new expensive and don't even think about it).  I certainly do not want to encourage bad habits LOL - the OH has enough of those already :).  I was also going to restrict Lennon to the hallway/kitchen.  He is, however, currently sleeping in the lounge, which is where he tends to "live" - Roxy is currently asleep in the hall. 

TIA for any advice - I'm off out in about an hour

Cheers
Vicki :)

I found the safest way to know that they are not chewing is to buy  a cage and leave them in that.   After having had a dog who went through furniture when I left her (Asti!), when I had Miranda & Harley as puppies I bought a large cage and they were left in there.  Happy mummy & happy puppies!!!!!   Buy the biggest one you can afford (eBay have them & they are well priced), it works out cheaper in the long run as you'll always have it and when you total up the costs of replacing chewed shoes etc......

I agree, takes the stress right out of life for the owner and also the new pup as in most cases it seems to make them feel very secure.  As Christine says even the standard ones from Argos etc will be good and roomy for a JRT, you can pop a Kong or whatever in with him.

:) In the past we have had threads entitled 'Whose dog has done the most damage ?' :D Personally, I can't understand why people let their pups do so much damage :) Our pup was a really bad chewer, but we restricted her to the kitchen which we were prepared to sacrifice :) It also had very few things at 'pup-level'. Even though she was in a cage when there was nobody to supervise, she still managed to chew skirting boards, door-frames etc - even in the few minutes it took to pop to the loo or upstairs to fetch something. If people have to leave their pup somewhere like a lounge or hall where there are expensive bits of furniture etc a cage is a small price to pay :) The pup will get used to it eventually :)

Daisy

I absolutely would not have a pup without a crate in future. Next time I am going to get one with leg holes so my dane can wear it all the time :D :D

:D  @  Chloe  :D
Mistress of the one-liner!

I agree Teri, she is good :-D :-D :-D

Yep - I agree totally with using a puppy crate. Both mine didn't mind going in there in the slightest when they were pups (at different times I might add!) - both for bed-time and when we went out. It means that the pups don't get into the habit of destroying the house whilst you're out, and when you're at home you are around to correct unwanted behaviour. It doesn't mean that your pup will never chew anything it shouldn't (one of mine had a penhant for books and anything with buttons, zips or sticking out bits that could be chewed off - when I wasn't looking of course!), but it should help immensely.

Thanks everyone.  I did buy a crate, and tried Lennon with it last night.  He became really distressed and very vocal, crying and then howling.  I stood it for a while but then gave in.  Probably the WRONG thing to do, I know, but I live in a terraced house and need to consider neighbours and, of course, the poor OH who, as a scaffolder, needs his sleep ("don't worry love, it's not the fall that kills you, it's that sudden stop at the end" ).  Having let him out of the crate, he immediately settled down and didn't disturb us at all.

I have just come back from being out for 2 hours (had to force myself - aarrgghh) and I let him have the run of the downstairs.  I figure if he's less bored he'll be less destructive.  He had plenty of chew toys, and I put a knuckle marrowbone in his crate.  He immediately went in there and started munching (door open) and I made my escape.  Having returned I am delighted to report that he was as good as gold.  I will increase the away time by 15 mins per day and see how we go.

Of course, I could just have the perfect puppy....lol :) :D

Hi Vicki,

I reckon you've got the perfect puppy :D   Seriously though, I have crates now for occasional use but my first two BSDs didn't know what one looked like :)  As small puppies they were left in the bedroom when I went out (because they slept in there with us anyway :P ) and when around Lennon's age had the run of the house (we're all on one level anyway).  I think that was the best way - nothing was ever destroyed at all.  My theory was they knew they weren't simply shut away and us lurking in another room ;) and also they could look out of different windows and watch the world go by when not playing with each other or their toys.  More often than not when I came home from shopping or if we'd been out for a meal etc, Porsche would be fast asleep on our bed and Cosworth would be sitting on my armchair in the lounge looking out of HIS window :D

Good luck, Teri

Hi Teri

I must say he is being remarkably good.  He is currently in the garden chewing a stick and not taking much notice of me.  I believe this to be a good thing - I don't want a clingy puppy, I want him to be a bit independent and not afraid, so I am enouraging this behaviour and not going all ga ga over him.  Trust me, it's not easy :)  I think the crate is a no no but I'll leave it up for the time being just in case he decides it's where he wants to sleep after all.  Having the run of the downstairs means he can look out of the patio window - I only only hope the visiting cats and squirrels don't drive him nuts!  When I came home after being out for two hours this morning, he was just lying in the living room.  I'm so pleased, as the feelings of dread and guilt when you leave a pup that really doesn't want to be left, and then lets you know vocally before you've reached the end of the path, is ghastly.

BTW, I've just had a look around your website - your BSD's are totally fabulous - I just wish you were a bit nearer so I could have a closer look :)

Cheers
Vicki

Sounds very promising to me that he coped so well for 2 hours and he's only spent a day with you :)  I hate leaving my dogs too - even just to go to the shops (which IS ridiculous :rolleyes: ) but it's good for them to get used to being without us so sometimes I stay away longer than need be just so they get used to it.  I get the same OTT welcome from them when I come home after a couple of hours shopping as I do when I come out of the loo (except for Mayhem who comes into the loo AND shower with me anyway :D )

Thanks re comments on website ;)  What neck of the woods do you come from then?

Teri
 

I know - I am just thrilled with him so far, and his excellent behaviour is a bonus!  Even Roxy has stopped growling at him.  Good girl!

I'm the other end of the country - Croydon in Surrey :(

Your dogs are just so gorgeous - it's that lion-like mane around the head - just makes me want to "hug"...:) :D

I'm sure that you are well aware of this, but just in case...
When we introduced the crate we started off by just putting his food in there and leaving the door panel wide open. All treats were offered in his bed (crate) and that was where all his chews and toys were given if I popped out of the room to clean, collect kids etc. Within days he loved his crate and even if the door was wide open would regularly go in for a snooze. 
I never PUT him in, just rewarded when he chose to go in, and never use it as a punishment.
He is three now and we haven't been able to get rid of it as he can't really settle for the night unless he's in it, and as it is foldable we can take it with us to hotels, friends houses, etc and he is never upset away from home. So it's not just to stop the chewing tho' it obviously has that effect also.
I would persevere as it has been an absolute "god send" and all my friends wish that they had introduced one to their puppies.

Hi there,

Thanks for your post.  Yes, I did know, and did all that you have mentioned - toys, food, treats all placed in crate and then heaps of praise when Lennon went in to eat/get the treat.  I don't believe it was going in the crate that bothered him last night, as he went in quite happily.  It was when I shut the door (it was the first time it had been shut), turned all the lights out and disappeared upstairs that freaked him out.

Cheers
Vicki

What you could do (if willing) is sleep downstairs in the same room as the crate for the first few night.  Then start off downstairs and head up later, so he gets used to sleepign in the crate and learns to depend on you being there less and less.

Just an idea.

Wendy

Thanks for the idea Wendy, however, I am delighted to report he has slept with no restrictions, and no problems (YAY) for the last three nights.  He has chosen his spot, outside the airing cupboard and is totally happy.  When I go out, he is always asleep in that spot when I come back.  Perfect puppy or what?  :) :D

Wonderful!!  Don't get too complacent though :-D.  I've learned the second you let your guard down is right when they'll do the most naughty things LOL

Wendy

Hi Vicki,

Let's give it up for Lennon :D  -  handsome and a gent and only 6 months

luv Teri ;)

Thanks Teri.   Yet another good night and a nice long walk this morning.  Recall training going really well, even though Shiba's usually ignore you ! but he does need a bit of lead training.  I'll have to address that shortly but it's a bit difficult when you are walking two and they're both on the extending leads.  I think it would be best to teach Lennon on his own with a regular lead.  Do you agree?

Another good thing is that Roxy has actually started playing with him.  She gets excited when she sees me putting on my "walking" trainers and always used to play with Ted at that point, with much play snarling/growling/body slamming.  She actually did this with Lennon this morning.  Of course, he being a baby did not know when to stop, so she got the hump with him and snapped, but he's learning, bless him.

:) :D :) :D

Hi Vicki - apologies I've only just seen your reply (e-mail probs )
Re teaching lead walking separately with Lennon I'd agree - apart from the fact that you'll each be able to concentrate better on one another, it's best that he doesn't become totally dependent on Roxy being with him all the time.  Even although he's already past the teen weeny pup stage, he is still a puppy and I'd try and give him a few separate sessions of different things independently of his live in girl friend ;)
Would add that I had a very frightening experience walking two dogs on flexis - one was further out than the other, doubled back towards me and in doing so managed to wrap the cord around the neck of my other dog.  Fortunately OH was holding one dog and I the other and both were well trained but if I'd been on my own or if one of them had spooked or just plain messed about it could have been a very different outcome :(   We never use two flexis now - if they need to be on one because it's unsafe to let them off we use one flexi and when first dog has stretched it's legs swap over onto an ordinary lead and just work our way down the line.
Hope all's still tickety-boo,  regards Teri 

Thanks for your avice Teri.  I have another thing to quiz you about - sorry to be a pain, but it's soooo long since I had a pup, I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Lennon is getting a tad too big for his boots.  He rules over Roxy a bit too much for her liking!  A lot of the time, they just play together and act together quite normally, with just what, IMHO, is a "normal" bit of growling/snapping etc.  However, last night L was in a really stroppy mood.  He just would not leave R alone.  Every time she picked up a hide bone, or one half of the marrow bone knuckle, he just took it off her.  I gave him a longer lasting chew, and then broke a softer one in three for R.  L just left his chew and tried to get R's out of her mouth!  When I said "leave it", R did (good girl) and L pinched it! 

L was also snarling nastily at R who was doing the same back (not whilst having the bones/chews).  It's the worst I've seen/heard it.  No biting occurred, but I wish R had nipped L - it might teach him a lesson.  She didn't though, and in the end I couldn't stand it and separated them.

This mood of L's went on for about 90 minutes.

Any ideas why?  All is fine this morning

On a very positive note, I cannot believe how lucky I am with this boy.  He's clean as a whistle, well behaved as far as chewing goes, a really fast learner and generally a total pleasure to have around for us all, including R.  It's just this episode last night.  I feel a bit sorry for R and now separate them when "treating", which I really do not want to do.  BTW, the eat from the same food bowl with no problems.

Any advice you can give is much appreciated.

Cheers :)

Hi Vicki,  As Lloyd Grossman would say "the clues are there" ;)
It's clear he doesn't have any manners or any respect for Roxy - she sounds a real sweety which to him means pushover :P  You mention them sharing food from the same bowl with no problems - do you only ever put one bowl down or did L decide to eat from R's bowl on his own?  My dogs aren't permitted to share food bowls. Older dogs would grumble if another tried to invade what is after all their greatest resource - food!- and I actively discourage persistent pups.   They can investigate bowls that have been abandoned, but not before ;)  Feed them at opposite ends of the room, with L in his cage or one of them behind a baby gate.
Lastly, I'd withdraw high value rewards just now too such as bones until you have a better over all picture of their relationship and pecking order - it's early days.  I'd strongly advise against giving any rawhide or similar chews at any time on safety grounds - if you run a search on here you'll find they can be deadly :(   Try out the above and remain vigilant over the next couple of weeks or so while assessing how they are in all areas with one another.  Regards, Teri :)
   

Thanks for your response Teri. 

I've always had 2 or 3 dogs, and they've always eaten from the same bowl.  I do have a spare and can start feeding them separately if you think that's best - please confirm on this point.  As for treats, yes, I'm gonna remove the hide bones as you suggest (without even looking for the "bad news" on them on this website which I shall investigate later).  That will just leave the two halves of the marrow bone left, which I can also remove if you think it adviseable.  This will mean that any and all treats must come from me as a reward only.  I did start giving him the marrow bone when I went out so he had something to chew.  I must say, without fail, every time I've come home he's been asleep!

He does have a raggy toy, a ball, and something that looks like a tiger but has a ball for it's middle and squeaks.  My only worry is that he will get bored and look for something to chew and will end up chewing something he shouldn't.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Cheers
Vicki :) :D

As to separate feeding bowls I would say definitely YES - apart from as already discussed, this way you'lll also know how much each is eating.  If R is less protective or motivated by food than L, then she may not have been getting her full entitlement :)

Do you leave both dogs together when you go out?  If so, does each have a bone?  Again, if so, does each have one when you come back?  (If A's 1 & 2 are Yes, I'm guessing 3 is No :P ) I'm not familiar with the character of your breed never mind individual dogs but even although my own get on famously, I wouldn't give them anything regarded as a high value treat/reward/resource unless someone was overseeing proceedings.

To avoid L chewing inappropriately in your absence, if there is something which he really enjoys I would keep that back entirely until he was being left alone.  Personally I'd not leave a dog with a bone unsupervised in case of accidents so would probably go with something such as a stuffed kong or food cube ( a "treat" type toy :) ) which will keep his mind busy too trying to work out how best to release the contents.  HTH for now, good luck Teri :)   

Hi Vicki :)

Any updates on super-boy?  Hope you've just been enjoying him and Roxy and not out having to look for an entire house full of new furniture

Give them a hug from me, and will look forward to an update when you get a chance,
bye for now,

Teri ;)

Teri - I have PMd you

Vicki