Charlie's chewing
Submitted by: Jen Dunville
Charlie is a wonderful dog, unless of course you value your belongings.
Every day, I hesitate to open my front door because I never know what I’ll find upon entering.
Usually, there’s Charlie, my seven-month-old Lab-Newfoundlander mix, with a guilty expression on his face.
I’m sure my veterinarian thinks I’m mistreating him because I’m calling almost every week.
“Charlie ate the remote for our television, is he going to be OK?”
“Charlie consumed my favorite pair of heels, is that going to pass through his system?”
“Charlie chewed up two pieces of pottery today, along with an entire $30 bag of those freeze-died liver treats. Should I bring him in?”
The kicker came about two days ago.
Charlie had torn a large hole in a quilt made out of scraps of cloth belonging to my late grandmother. There were pieces of material older than me in that quilt and every square held a memory.
It was the first time Charlie made me cry.
Now I have to get up extra early every morning to pick up everything within his reach.
It’s stressful coming home because I never know what he’s going to get into.
I’m at my wits end.
Jen Dunville said...
Thanks for continuing to offer advice folks. Much appreciated. And since so many are firm belivers in crate training, I'm seriuosly considering giving that a try.
But I want to make it clear that he eats things even when we are home, despite the fact that he has lots of toys and bones AND gets scolded when he does it.
The biggest thing is that he doesn't listen. And I don't know how to change that. I understand the concept of being the alpha-dog, I just don't know how to get to that point.
Also, I wanted to say that under no circumstances would I ever get rid of Charlie. When he's misbehaving, I know it's because I'm doing something wrong. With such a big dog, that doesn't like to listen and loves to chew, I just have to learn how to take control of him.
We love Charlie, we would never get rid of him, even if he ate everything we owned. We took on the responsibility of a dog knowing that he could be ill-behaved.
Charlie has his moments where he drives us crazy, but he's a big adorable lug, who, at the end of the night, loves to snuggle or play outside with us. He's made our lives more interesting, although sometimes frustrating.
And if we could just get some training in how to control his bad behaviours, there's a good possibility we'd end up with one of Canada's best dogs :)
Vickie Conroy said...
I used to raise dogs and you have tom show them a lot of love. Be stern but firm in directing them as to what you want you want them to do. If you really love this dog take the time to help him understand what you mexpect of him. Donna
Vickie Conroy said...
Charlie needs a lot of patience and a lot of love. Take the time to do this you have to be stern and you also need a lot of patience. He is a very cute dog and I do not beleive in getting rid of a dog just because he misbehaves. You as his owner have to take the time to teach him.
Bryanna said...
Try crate training him while you're not home so things are not destroyed while you are gone. Crate training works, it's not cruel, and it saves your belongings and it saves him from getting into things that could harm him. When home, tie him to you, literally - always have a leash on him. If he can't escape you - he won't chew, and if he does pick something up - remove it, and put something he CAN chew into his mouth. Once he is getting better at NOT chewing, remove the leash from YOU, but keep the leash ON him. At ALL TIMES. Always always have toys he can chew, especially yummy bones! I've had plenty of dogs in my life, and right now I have an 18 weeks old German Shepherd, who has NEVER chewed things because I do not give him the opportunity to do so! From day 1 he was crate trained (When I'm not home - in the crate he goes), and kept him on leash and kept up with a consistent positive reinforcement routine with his chewing (if he picked up a shoe - I gave him a bone or his rope). When you replace the bad chew with the good chew, get excited, pet, and go "Good Chew!!" Now he is 4 1/2 months and he does not chew, I am now letting him off his leash while he's at home with me. I will not allow him to have free roam of my house until at least 3 years and I know for sure, by example of his daily behaviours, that he won't chew. I hope this helps you, and good luck.
Helen said...
hon, for the chewing... he's a puppy, he's teething... he has to chew. give him things he's allowed to chew on (not old shoes - he won't know the difference between and old one and a new one). you HAVE to crate him... not all dogs need this, obviously the ones you grew up with didn't, but if done properly, dogs really prefer to be in a crate... it's their own safe little place in the world, much like if they were in the wild, they would find a small den to make there home right? as long as he doesn't feel like being in his crate is a punishment, he'll love it!
for his other behaviors, jumping, running away... you may need obedience training for that, but really the trick is to catch him doing something right and reward him IMMEDIATELY (like 1 second following the behavior) with a LITTLE treat and LOTS of praise.
Ellen McCarthy said...
In case the dogs are related. We keep ours in a small room during the day which doesn't have anything that can be damaged. Is it actually a sunroon/entrance room. We don't close the door but instead put a baby gate up. We have a crate in the room but don't close him in it - he just goes in occasionally to sleep. I feed him early morning, take him for about a 15 min walk, come home at lunch, short walk and home again at supper. This seems to work to keep him calm and contained - plus the large tartar bones to chew on.
Ellen McCarthy said...
Is Charlie one of the 13 puppies adopted through Oromocto SPCA. Can't remember if I might have met you at the dog park. I have one of that litter. Shorter hair than yours, same age and as of last night 83.8 lbs. If yours is one of the litter and you'd like to get them together at the dog park - email me at ellen.mccarthy@gnb.ca.
Jen Dunville said...
Thanks for all the votes everyone!! We're so pleased to have the support, although the sad part about all the votes is I know some of you are voting because Charlie has chewed something of yours: Ashleigh's sandal, Nat's bikini, Jayne's garden, Fran's pants, RJ's socks, Mom's slippers... lol. Sorry about all that, but look at it this way - if we win, you (and your stuff) will be safe to visit again!
Marilyn Day said...
Oh Jen, not your special quilt?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie you are such a beautiful boy BUT, boy do you EVER need help! You know, some manners would go a long way with you Charlie. Bad enough you ate 2 remotes the last time I spoke with your mom, that is really bad for your health!!!! You could seriously pose a problem to your own safety! You are such a sweet boy and have such a nice mommy and she loves you soooooo much but you need HELP buddy!
Marion Drakos said...
Crating isn't always the answer - I had a very similar issue with my dog chewing when she was that age. One day she even ripped open the couch. I would spend every morning puppy proofing and spraying things with bitter apple. I also took for a 30 minute walk every morning no matter what the weather. It helped, she doesn't do this any more but I also took her to training classes to keep her mind active.
The jumping and growling however is serious and needs fixing - he NEEDS training even if it is just you imitating what you see on TV. A dog that young showing so much dominace is a tragedy waiting to happen.
Jen Dunville said...
Thanks for all the comments folks.
I felt I better write because most of you seem to think the solution is as simple as placing Charlie in a kennel. First of all, he's 80 pounds at only 7 months old. I have trouble getting him to go anywhere, let alone stuffing him in a kennel!! Secondly, I'm not sure I can afford a kennel big enough for it to be humane to leave him in it all day long. Thirdly, I shouldn't have to kennel him all day. I've grown up with dogs all my life, and none of them ever had to be put in a kennel, and they never chewed our belongings.
I love Charlie and would never want to get rid of him, but I want him to fit into our home without destroying it.
Also, I noticed everyone else is writing more than the 200 word limit for this competition, so maybe I should let you know that Charlie isn't just a chewer.
He doesn't listen -- which is a big problem because he runs down the road to the neighbours' house to bother their dog. And he jumps up on people -- which you can imagine can be scary since he's so big. While walking him one day, he jumped up at a woman who was jogging. She actually stopped to tell us that we should put him in obedience training. If I could afford it, he'd already be in training. haha.
Outside of that, he does the typical "bad dog" things, such as barking and growling at anything that moves outside our house, and having "accidents" if you don't pay attention to him.
Keep up with the advice. If we don't win - we're going to need all the help we can get!!
Kim Doiron said...
Charlie is a cuttie but I think people are right when they say you need a dog crate. Crate him when you leave the house and when you are home and notice that he is chewing on something take it away and but him in the crate for 10 mins. He will learn that he shouldn't behave this way. My dog had this problem and it worked for me. Also provide him with ice cubes. That will help. Good luck.
Kim Owner of Jersey Devil
danny gavin said...
wow what a nice dog wish i had one lol
Nathalie said...
1. He needs a lot of walks.
2. Crate train him.
3. Good luck!
Tricia Lawson said...
Maybe you should consider putting him in a kennel while your out!
Lilly said...
hope Charlie starts to behave better for you ,how upset you would be over your quilt! he's s nice puppy but he seems bit destructive! Aunt Lilly
laverne burtt said...
This is one adorable dog...but I think unless he gets help he and the household he lives in will be in huge trouble as he continues to grow into a giant.