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Thread: Rug chewer

  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Rug chewer

    My 15 month old yellow English lab is pretty much a mellow guy---EXCEPT he is a big chewer!--He has had all the "tough chew toys" and antlers, and marrow bones, and hornes, etc.... but he still rips apart anything cloth...like towels, clothes, and MOST upsetting is my expensive RUGS--I can't seem to break him of this very bad habit. Not sure if he is just chewing a bone or whatever, and then his mouth goes to the carpet, or he just likes chewing wool rugs! He is pretty much in my sight most of the time, or if I'm out, in his crate (where of course he has torn apart his crate pads many times...now just has a towel)---but I was hoping and trying to give him more freedom at night or when I was out. He gets lots of exercise and playing, but chooses to do lots of sleeping too. I have had 2 other labs but no one every chewed up my rugs.
    Will I ever be able to leave him out of his crate???????

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Hopefully! In the mean time constant supervision/correction is often the norm, Labs are very oral puppies.
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    possibly he will always have a weakness for rugs One option to start testing him uncrated (if and when you are ready) is a dog proof an area without carpets Testing out of the crate needs to be one in steps and away from their biggest weakness. but nothing wrong with sticking to the crate.
    in the meantime - you know what he'll do so manage! do not allow him near a rug (or other such weakness) unless he is under direct supervision. Even if you are in the house but moving around use baby gates or tether him to you so he isn'T just sitting alone in a room with one of his weaknesses.
    Last edited by Tanya; 09-12-2015 at 05:16 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I have never had a really hard core chewer but, can you tell us what you mean by "lots of exercise?" Sorry, but folks have come on the board thinking a 20 minute leashed walk constituted lots of exercise for their young Lab. Maybe more exercise would help, maybe it wouldn't. Might give us more clues to help you if we know what you mean by it though.

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    Maxx&Emma (09-12-2015)

  6. #5
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    Rug chewer gets an early morning walk to do his things...then a mid morning longer walk (30-40 minutes) and usually a long run at the dog park~ then an afternoon walk and 3-4 mile evening brisk walk~ Should be enough!!!! Meantime, he can play in our fenced yard.Actually he never gets too excited about going out!! Is he really too old to be in the crate at nite and when left alone???

  7. #6
    Real Retriever Moby and Barley's Mom's Avatar
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    Have you thought about filling a spray bottle with water and spraying ol' rug chewer when he starts to go for the rug? He gets plenty of exercise. I know my 16 month old hates to be sprayed with water. You do need to catch him in the act and probably do it a LOT before the dog will stop. Bad Rug Chewer! Bad!
    Forever in my heart - Sweet gentle Moby - lover of belly rubs, bacon, and Barbara 9-10-2001 to 11-2-2015

  8. #7
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    15 months is still young. Maybe baby gate off the rooms with the nice rugs.

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    15 months is still a baby. in fact, worse than a baby, a teenager totally normal to stick to a crate.

  10. #9
    Puppy Kelly's Avatar
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    I'm not sure this is an option but you might want to look into Bitter Apple spray. It is the only deterrent I've found that works. I've heard that some dogs actually like the taste but my pup hates it. The problem is, it may be damaging to your wool rugs but possibly not, I spray the edges of my not so nice area rugs and it seems to help. I have to reapply a few times but he seems to stay away from most of the things I've sprayed without going back to them for a re-chomp.

 



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