destructive, dog Options

[BURNSJ2]

Ok so heres the deal. i have a dog, hes a pitbull/chow-chow mix. when im home or when anyone is around hes an amazingly good dog. its when i leave...terror! he is about the most destructive dog i have ever seen. he tears up anything left on the table, knocks the chairs and stools over, even tears up the carpet! im at my wits end with him, hes 2 years old and i thought he would be through this by now. anyone know what i can do?

[BURNSJ2]

I have tried the toy full of food thing. It keeps him busy for a while but i think hes seriously ADD. hell be doin somethin like that and then jump up at 110mph and be doin somethin else. then come back and see it and itll be like "OH ****!!!" like its the first time hes seen it. hahaha. When i was first introduced to crate training it was explained to me as a disiplinary measure by my trainer. i tried to argue the point and she just said i was wrong. so now my dog hates the crate. hes not scared to go to it, but he thinks it means hes in trouble, so he tries to avoid it. she also told me to never put food or water in it...i didnt listen to that one, he always has both in the crate. i think with another dog it will be better for him. im just worried about the 2X effect of having 2 dogs. would it be easier to get a puppy and train it from day one or get another fullgrown dog?

we did try the big rawhide toys, he can blast through the big ones, that r like 2 feet long, in about 2-3 hours...

This post has been edited by BURNSJ2: Jun 19, 2009 - 3:09 PM

[GriffGirl]

I have tried the toy full of food thing. It keeps him busy for a while but i think hes seriously ADD. hell be doin somethin like that and then jump up at 110mph and be doin somethin else. then come back and see it and itll be like "OH ****!!!" like its the first time hes seen it. hahaha. When i was first introduced to crate training it was explained to me as a disiplinary measure by my trainer. i tried to argue the point and she just said i was wrong. so now my dog hates the crate. hes not scared to go to it, but he thinks it means hes in trouble, so he tries to avoid it. she also told me to never put food or water in it...i didnt listen to that one, he always has both in the crate. i think with another dog it will be better for him. im just worried about the 2X effect of having 2 dogs. would it be easier to get a puppy and train it from day one or get another fullgrown dog?

we did try the big rawhide toys, he can blast through the big ones, that r like 2 feet long, in about 2-3 hours...

Have you thought about doggie day care? It sounds like he's bored and has anxiety. Getting him a friend may help, or it may just double your problem because you'll be banking that he'll learn the good behavior from the doggie friend, when in fact it typically seems to work the other way around and the good dog turns into a little 4 legged demon.

A doggie day care thing will keep your dog happy and occupied, and will also help him to learn better habits because he'll be out numbered by dogs who behave

Crate training shouldn't be used for punishment, by the way. NEVER. The crate is a personal space for the dog to feel safe... it's his/her little domain. Crate training is absolutely humane and good to do, although I agree that 10 hours a day in a crate is totally unfair and no kind of life for a dog. It's better than letting him be loose and destructive, where he can hurt himself seriously (and he WILL eventually), but you've GOT to find a better alternative that works well for your family AND your pup.

[BURNSJ2]

Have you thought about doggie day care? It sounds like he's bored and has anxiety. Getting him a friend may help, or it may just double your problem because you'll be banking that he'll learn the good behavior from the doggie friend, when in fact it typically seems to work the other way around and the good dog turns into a little 4 legged demon.

A doggie day care thing will keep your dog happy and occupied, and will also help him to learn better habits because he'll be out numbered by dogs who behave

Crate training shouldn't be used for punishment, by the way. NEVER. The crate is a personal space for the dog to feel safe... it's his/her little domain. Crate training is absolutely humane and good to do, although I agree that 10 hours a day in a crate is totally unfair and no kind of life for a dog. It's better than letting him be loose and destructive, where he can hurt himself seriously (and he WILL eventually), but you've GOT to find a better alternative that works well for your family AND your pup.

I think it sux for him to be stuck in that dam cage all day. when i put him in there he looks at me with the most horrible face. im a full grown man, and it makes me wanna cry like a baby it sux. but i cant have him tearin stuff up. GOT to find a better alternative u say.... 6GC to the rescue says I!