Pups Chews To Wreak Havoc

Oct 12 2008 Scott Miller

Pets

Q When my two 10-month-old labradoodles are left home alone they chew the rugs and furniture. How can we stop this?

A Two growing puppies left alone is always going to be a recipe for disaster. Even with toys and treats, a puppy will seek to investigate his environment, using the high density of nerve receptors along his gumline.

Without you there to explain what is OK to chew, your dogs will nibble on anything which takes their fancy. I strongly suggest that you invest in baby gates to keep your dogs in one room.

Puppy-proof the rest of your home by lifting all chewable items out of their reach.

Q In the past year my 14-year-old Lab-collie cross has started to struggle trying to get up and has lost control of his bowels. I have been to the vet but cannot face putting him to sleep unless it is the last resort.

What would you suggest?

A Consider a high-fibre diet, which can help with regularity, plus actively toilet-walk your dog outside every few hours, just like training a puppy, to encourage him to go in the right place.

When and if you have to consider putting him to sleep, you must make the decision with the dog's best interests in mind and consult the nursing staff at your vet's or pet bereavement counsellors if you are struggling with this most heart-wrenching of decisions.

Q My spaniel gets very hyper in the car and will not stop jumping and barking. I use a harness on her but she only calms down when the window is open enough for her head to be out. What can I do?

A You need to reduce the stimulation your dog gets when you are driving around.

Cover up windows and provide her with a special toy or treat to keep her interest as you set off.

You can train your dog to get bored with the car. Feed a meal to her in the back seat once a day and allow her to sit there without you driving so that she can learn to be calm and quiet. Gradually turn on the engine then leave it idling for a few minutes before taking her back indoors.

With this desensitisation routine and a good chew to keep her attention, hopefully you will find car journeys more relaxing.

Q We got our six-month-old Border collie from a rescue centre in May. For the first week he was very timid but now he barks and growls at everyone except me, my partner and our two girls. I have started taking him to training classes but the behaviourist wants him muzzled in case he bites. Will he grow out of this aggressive behaviour and would castrating him help?

A As you have not owned your dog during the early stages of puppy development there is only so much you can do to curb his aggression.

Castration will definitely help to calm him down and I would get this done immediately.

Continue with training classes too and pull him up immediately every time he shows aggression, rewarding him with treats and affection when he is calm.

I would also suggest one-to-one behaviourist classes where your whole family can learn to react correctly when dealing with your troubled pup.