Distructive behavior

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dixie's mom
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Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:24 am

Distructive behavior

Post by dixie's mom »

Rebel , or daschund has tore the stuff out of two dog beds , so our Lab Harley doesn't have anything to sleep in ! Rebel will drag the blankets out of his bed and leave them in the middle of the yard ! I will finally close the door to his crate ! Any ideas ?
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Nettle
Posts: 10753
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Re: Distructive behavior

Post by Nettle »

Tell us more about Rebel: how old, how long you have had him, where he was before if known, when and what he is fed, when and how long he is exercised, if he has any off-lead time, how he lives in the house (you mentioned crates - tell us how long he spends in his and if he shares it or has one to himself) what training he has had, what training you do now - tell us a typical Rebel day :D
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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dixie's mom
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:24 am

Re: Distructive behavior

Post by dixie's mom »

REbel sleeps in his crate only at night , we will bring him in to feed him because of Harley . Harley tends to be a growler around food . Anything he can find around the yard , say a football or soccerball , he will destroy it ! He stays outside daily so he gets plenty of exercise . He was born around Feb .
emmabeth
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Re: Distructive behavior

Post by emmabeth »

Being out in the yard, with other dogs or without, even with you.. is not sufficient exercise for your dogs.

99% of your problems will go away when you give your dogs proper daily exercise and training - I promise you this!

THat means two walks a day, for the labrador at least an hour each walk if there isnt anywhere offlead to run and play, plus at least one training session of some sort (check out the clicker training thread this is great for dogs as it teaches them to try and earn a click and thus a treat.. it has them actively looking for ways to please you!).

For smaller dogs you still need a good two walks a day, at least 30 minutes each.

Until they get this, nothing we can advise is going to change the fact that they have way too much energy and way too little to do so even if you attended training classes or did a few minutes training each day, they would still behave this way.
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
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Nettle
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Re: Distructive behavior

Post by Nettle »

This is absolutely so. Dachshunds are hounds and need a LOT of exercise despite their size. Labs need a ton of exercise too. Chis are a LOT more eager for exercise than people think! Get them out on long walks every day, and you'll be amazed how quiet your yard is. Walking exercises mind and body and is good for all healthy dogs.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
Fundog
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Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:31 am
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Re: Distructive behavior

Post by Fundog »

Yep, absolutely. Being an outside dog, no matter how big the yard is, is not sufficient exercise. Dogs don't just run circles for their health-- they need a purpose and some direction in their lives, just like we do. Only you can provide that. Even taking them out to the wilderness to "pretend hunt" will take more out of them than just playing in the back yard. Bored dogs are destructive dogs. Tired dogs are well-behaved dogs.
If an opportunity comes to you in life, say yes first, even if you don't know how to do it.
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