My girl is having some trouble with chewing on the wrong things

[Sable's Mom]

Hello Everyone!

My dachshund, Sable keeps chewing on everything! She has chewed up every furniture leg in our bedroom, and all the carpet on our stairs, and even any wood paneling she can get to in our living room.

We make sure that she always has a good chew toy, rawhide, or pig's ear. We have tried spraying phooy and bitter apple, but that does not work. We have finally resorted to putting cayenne pepper all over the stairs, but of course that does not solve the chewing on everything else.

I think this is some way for her to act out. I do not work, and am here with her all day. I do my best to give her lots of attention, so I do not understand why she feels the need to cause trouble. Anyone here have any suggestions on how I can curve this bad habit?

Thanks for the advice,
Amy

[Mark]

Hi Amy and Sable :wave: Welcome to DBB! :waving:

We're glad you're here and look forward to getting to know you both. :)

As for the chewing . . . never encountered it so I'm not sure how much help we are on this one. Since you are there all day . . . tethering Sable to your belt loop comes to mind and when that isn't possible . . . crate her. When she is attached to you with a tether or leash . . . it would be difficult for her to get in to something without you being very aware of it. :D

Perhaps some of the other members here who have experience in this problem have better suggestions.

[blazeman]

First... Welcome to the DBB! We are glad you are here! I hope you enjoy the board as much as I do!

How old is Sable? Has she been doing the chewing her whole life.

Has anything in her life changed? Routine, addition/loss of a family member? Many things could be casuing it. As for stopping it... that I might be the best to ask since I haven't had a problem there.

More of the members should be able to help though!

[Sable's Mom]

Sable just turned one year this month. There has not been any actual change to our routine that I know of. However I am 13 weeks pregnant with our first baby. Sable was chewing before I got pregnant, but she stoped doing so for awhile till about a month ago. My hope was that this is just a young phase, and she will grow out of it.

She pretty much stays by my side most of the time. So, I catch her often, but at night while my husband and I are sleeping is when she gets away with the most. She also chews alot when I take a nap during the day. I can put her in her crate when we sleep. I really would hate to do so since she would not understand why. If its the only way to stop the habit though, I'm willing to try it. She also chews whenever I am not paying direct attention to her. For instance, when I take a shower, or talk on the phone, and especially when I get on the computer.

Amy

[onebigmickeyfan]

Hi Amy and Sable,

Glad you found us. I am humom to Missy 6 mth old smooth mini dapple spoiled rotten girl and Casey a 7 yr old akita shep mix boy.
Missy is a shredder but only to the occasional shoe a camera bag and any papers that might make it to the floor. We tried the bitter apple as well with no positive results so I got a shoe holder for the door. No shoes in her range. Neither pup bothers anything but the shoes for the most part. I keep a wide variety of toys (stuffies, balls, ropes and kongs) in the house for her and she plays with them most of the time.

I wish I could be more help. I look forward to hearing more about Sable and maybe see some pictures too.

[doxunzX3]

Some doxies are just like to chew, others are agressive chewers.
My Chewy! Yes, his name was Magic at 8 months old when we got him. But it didn't fit him. He started to think his name was Chewy, because we always were saying NO CHEW! Soooo....

He still chews when we have something on the floor or if he can reach what he wants. But for the most part, when we are home he is in the same room. We use baby gates for bedrooms and livining room etc. I have cats that have free run of the house. If you can close doors the better and easier for you. The tieing to your waist is a great idea. Also using the crate as when ever you can't keep an eye open on Sabel's actions. I also found that giving them a good tasting bone to chew helps. But I don't leave it down all the time. It is used as a special treat or reward. If you don't catch her in the act don't punish her. She may look like she is acting guilty. But... that is her reacting to your mood and attitude. If it isn't getting any better, check out dog behaviourlist, in your area. Or cheaper go to the local dog club and ask who could help in retraining her. But be carefull too, some people use wierd training methods if it sounds to far out. Use your judgment.
Our Chewy still chews but not near as bad as he did.
I have to say the best dogs for not chewing, was when I had 2 pups at the sametime. They chewed on each other. :cunning: It did make a big difference, but they both went through the chewing stage together. It wouldn't be a fix for an older dog. Unless she is just plain bored. Does she get to go out much! How is her social life. OK now I am getting carried away. :dizzy:
Good luck, I hope you can retrain her and safe your house!

[Heide]

Welcome to the best doxie board ever!!
I have 2 b/t smooths Kamper is 4 and is a large standard and Maggie is a small standard.
Natasha is 7 and is also a small standard.
With the chewing, I had it rough with my male Kamper when he was a pup. If I could not be in the same room with him he had to be crated. When we went to bed crated again.
He ruined my new couch and some of the carpet and numerous other things.
He finally grew out of it.. I had to stay firm with him or I wouldnt have a home left...:eek:
I never used his crate for a punishment either. Slowly I started to let him run loose in the house when I was in another room and would sneak and check on him..
I always kept him with rawhides chicken flavored and he was good as gold when he had that.
The only thing he chews now is toys.:dizzy:
Heide

[Sable's Mom]

It sounds like crating and tieing her to my belt is the way to go. I will buy a special chew treat that will just be kept in her crate so it wont be seen as a punishment. ;) I doubt she will mind being tethered to my side since she seems to want to be there whenever I am home anyway. She only leaves my side these days to go get into trouble or go eat.

I try to keep her social life fun. I take her over to our friend's place all the time to let her play with her best dog friend. I also take her to petsmart alot. My husband and I also take her for walks through the neighborhood. She also has one of our cat's that she gets to play with. Still, I sometimes wish we had another dachshund for her to play with, but with a baby on the way we really do not think its a wise idea.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! This seems like a very friendly and helpful place! :)

Amy

[Houndluvr]

We have a 12 week old pup and we put him in an exercise pen we have set up in the breakfast nook area. We put him in there along with his kennel, water and some toys when we can't keep a close eye on him. Often when I return, I find him in the kennel or rolling around chewing on a nylabone. He is still "with" the family and has gotten used to the pen. We also leave him in it when we go to work, I check on him at lunch and during my afternoon break. And the best.....I get a new table set when he no longer needs the nook area!!! We needed a new one a long time ago....HTH, Ann