New problem with Bailey

LennoLenno
edited September 2008 in General
The biting problem has gone down, I started using a empty can of soda filled with pennies, and she doesn't like that at all, but a new problem has surfaced, and that's her eating the wallpaper off of the walls. We tried to put pepper on it, to make her not want to eat it, but that hasn't worked. Is there anything that anyone can recommend for me to try?? We haven't caught her in the act yet, but I plan on using the can if I do catch her.

Comments

  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited November -1
    Do you crate her when you can't watch her?
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    Puppies should never be unsupervised and free to roam. If you cannot keep an eye on her put her in her crate. If you think she is in the crate too much, then attach her leash to your belt and keep her leashed to you.
  • LennoLenno
    edited November -1
    No, we usually let her roam around, she has been very good actually, no accidents, and nothing chewed up, just the occasional paper that blew off the table, but other that that I had no other reason to crate her. The weird part of it is that she only does this when we are home.
  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited November -1
    It doesn't matter if she has had no accidents, but a crate is the safest place for a puppy to be when you cannot watch her. She could easily bite into an electric cord and hurt herself, or get caught on something, or eat something that she shouldn't. A puppy can never be trusted to roam by herself.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    She does it to get attention. I would highly suggest crate training her. It will be very valueable when she hits her "naughty" teenager stage. Which she will, and during that time you will love the fact that she is safe and used to her crate. It will keep her from destroying a lot of things, and fraying your last nerve.
  • LennoLenno
    edited November -1
    Thank you for your help Brandon, just out of curiosity, what age will she hit the teen faze?
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited September 2008
    I had no plans to crate Jazz when I got her because there would always be someone at home (although they might be sleeping). After I went out of town and came back to a gnawed bed (where she would sleep), I got the crate. Jazz loves her crate. When I am home with her, she's right beside me. If I'm not home (while I'm at work), she's crated unless my brother is specifically spending time with her. We've had not more problems. By the way, Jazz did the bed thing at age 4, she's 5 now.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    Usually Shibas really start acting up between 10 months and a year. It can last from 8 months to two years depending on the dog. Most Shibas don't really calm down until they hit 4 or 5 though, some 7 or 8.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    It could also be a good idea to "puppy-proof" your house, protect you electrical outlets, take anything form the floor that you don't want her to touch.
    About the wallpaper, what kind of toys does she have at her disposal?
  • LennoLenno
    edited November -1
    Well she has a duck, a squirrel, they both squeek. She has a few rubberish toys, I give her some rawhide stuff to chew on. She also has tennis balls, and a couple tug toys.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Its always good to crate train, you'll never know when you'll need it. I hadn't crated my dogs routinely in at least 3 months but needed to when we moved, I was delighted they were still acclimated to the process.

    Its a real blessing to have a properly crate trained dog. Is Bailey your first dog? If so, I know the concept of crating seems cruel or unfair, but you are really helping your dog and you (and your house/apt!) by doing it. Bailey sounds frustrated, or has some energy pent up that she doesn't know what else to do with. How much exercise and playtime does she get in a day?

    Read this website for crate training tips: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html

    By crate training, you not only reinforce against destructive behaviors and housebreaking, but you create a safe space, a den, for the dog. Its a great thing to have.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    Having no toys can lead to destructive habits to keep entertained, but having loads of toys can lead to the same thing because they have so many. Pretty much like a kid that doesn't know what to play with despite having loads of toys and games.
    If she's food driven ,maybe a food stuffed toy that keeps her busy trying to get food out could be helpful.
  • ivanmeza03ivanmeza03
    edited September 2008
    this is weird, ive never crated a dog, and never had a problem. the only first messy thing was when we left the bathroom door opened and Kiba took the paper. seriously never had a problem with my dogs and the house stuff ( O o ) oh,and of course when we leave them alone almost every place of the house have a toy, if you think that one place is more vulnerable put 1 or 2 toys there 8)
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    I never crated Kuma either, and never had a problem. But during the day he stays closed in the entrance, so I guess that's his crate.
  • LennoLenno
    edited November -1
    In answer to your question tsukitsune, I walk Bailey several times a day. Most are short, so she can pee around the street, and then at 6 or so I take her for a long walk down to a nearbye park, so we can run. That's what I was thinking too, because last night I had a project I had to do, so I couldn't take her on her long walk. Should I try and walk her more to wear her out? I know Sheba's have tons and tons of endurance and can walk for ever, but is it the same for energy level??
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    well, thats a hard question to answer, because the more you walk her, the higher her endurance will become and you will have to keep doing more and more to keep her tired.
    I've gotten into a routine that I walk my dogs for 45mins in the morning and 1-1.5 hours at night. We do extra on weekends, like hiking or the park.
    It seems to work with them (they range in age from 1 year to 2 years old), and they get the zoomies once we get back from the 1.5 hour PM walk and they have each other to romp with inside or we'll play with them for 20mins or so, and then they sleep.

    Once you establish a daily routine with her, it will give her something to look forward to, and you'll be giving her enough mental and physical stimulation with the routine. Maybe she needs some challenging toys - Rui, where is that thread you started for "smart toys"?
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    Jen - Actually you started it, hehehe. It's here http://www.nihonken.org/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=974
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    lol! thanks!
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