He's Ruining My House!

Is your dog ruining your house? Does he chew things up? Does he "mess" in the house? All is not lost... he's acting like a completely normal dog. That is, a dog that hasn't been taught that people prefer he NOT do these things! As the human, it is up to you to manage him, manage the environment, and train him so that you can both lead happier - and safer - lives. Safer? You bet. The number one reason dogs are abandoned or taken to shelters (where they are almost certainly euthanized) is "behavior problems" that the owner allowed to develop. Hardly fair, is it?

So, what can you do so your dog has a better fate? First off, start with exercise. This is hugely important. Most dogs were bred for serious work which required stamina. Their needs for exercise are huge! Without serious aerobic exercise every day they vent that pent-up energy elsewhere... like your house. Lack of exercise also leads to boredom, which leads to mischief. If your idea of a "good dog" is one that sleeps all day unless needed by you for brief entertainment, check into one of those new robot dogs! If you are willing to accept your pet's natural dogginess, then below is some advice that I hope helps.

Management
Control your dog's access to things he might damage - or may hurt him! When you can't pay attention to him, keep him safe in a comfy crate or in a safe room behind a puppy gate. Put all shoes, pillows, etc. out of his reach. Provide him with plenty of fun things to chew on. You can make a great chew toy by taking a Kong toy or a sterilized bone and stuffing it with something delicious. Treats jammed in there, to be worked out one at a time, or the insides smeared with peanut butter or cheese spread can keep your puppy entertained for hours! Stuff something really great at the bottom (piece of chicken, some tuna) for extra incentive. Also a good idea is to just leave a couple of toys out at a time. Too many become b o r i n g. You can have many different kinds - just rotate which ones you leave out each day!

Exercise
A tired dog is a "good" dog! Before leaving your dog for a prolonged absence in his crate or room, wear him out with some serious exercise. Long walks aren't good for a growing puppy's joints, but retrieving games, tug o' war, hide & seek, etc., are great & provide super aerobic exercise. Please be aware that this needs to happen EVERY DAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, especially for high energy breeds (Labs, Goldens, Dalmatian, Viszlas, to name a few!). Longer excursions on weekends are great, but vigorous exercise must be provided every day.

Training
A dog with obedience training is just going to be more responsive in general. The training itself also serves as a form of exercise - mental stimulation will tire a dog out, too! Best bet is to enroll in group classes in a local obedience school, but if you can't find one which uses only positive reinforcement methods, try the lessons on this Web site. The Clicker Trainers site can help you locate a trainer in your area.