Even Vets Need Puppy Training Help
We have a new puppy in our house. Her name is Moose and she is crazy. We joyously welcomed her into our home two months ago and have been running circles ever since. Unfortunately, a veterinary license does not guarantee proficiency at puppy training. I can tell you all about vaccines, deworming, nutrition, pediatric disease, etc.--but when it comes to dealing with a mouthful of super sharp teeth constantly clenching onto any piece of fabric that is not glued to my skin I'm not sure what to do.
I have my clueless head in all the behavior books, my finger on the trigger of the squirt bottle and my mouth shut tight so I don’t teach our young daughter expletives. I am sure she has learned a few anyway these past few months.
Puppies are constant motion. Chewing, ripping, shredding, tearing. Two months ago, her baby teeth didn’t do much damage to the multitude of things she wanted to chew. These days, her destructive power has kicked up a gear and now in the two seconds it takes for us to react, the marks are permanent. Or a piece is missing. Or the whole thing is gone. I know it is common knowledge that puppies are destructive and I used to acknowledge my clients complaints with “Yes, puppies are a lot of work.” But now, when they tell me about the destruction, disruptions and overall delinquency, I understand. I truly understand! And while I can not buy them a new guitar, I certainly can lend them shoulder to cry on. And a trainer referral. I guess I could lend them my guitar, but some of it is missing.
--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Amanda on June 18, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Hi there, I'm sorry that you're having this problem. I know it can be difficult. My best advice is to try DirectStop made by premier (the gentle leader people). It's on Amazon.com. It's harmless citronella spray that sprays up to six feet or so (they HATE it), and if you hide the can in your sleeve and look innocent, your dog will think the foam that was just shot into her face is an act of God. You must do it immediately while she's doing the undesired behavior of course. I'm a trained behaviorist, and I've never had to use a whole can on one dog! Of course, it's nice to keep on hand in case the little angel takes on another wonderful no-no. let me know how it goes!!
Mrs. Long on June 18, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Doctor, I totally feel for you! We have an adorable border collie pup (now 7 months old)but lots of chewed things around until I really made the effort to train my family AND myself to stop immediately and substitute HER toy. If she was chewing on a table leg, I'd give her her 'wood' to chew on. (Vet said if they're gonna chew wood, they're gonna chew wood. Get a scrap piece of oak being the toughest wood & give her that alternative.) If she was chewing on the livingroom sofa, I'd give her a fabric toy. If she were chewing on her food bowl, I'd give her a plastic toy. It wasn't long for her to know to chew on HER stuff. Really. Just takes persistence. That's not to say there's still not times of 'I forgot, Gamma!' like chewing on the carpet on our step into the bedroom while I was in the shower :P Good luck! :)
tenerife holidays on October 11, 2009 at 11:52 PM
I totally feel for you! We have an adorable border collie pup (now 7 months old)but lots of chewed things around until I really made the effort to train my family AND myself to stop immediately and substitute HER toy. If she was chewing on a table leg, I'd give her her 'wood' to chew on.
dog on November 11, 2009 at 11:54 PM
even my puppy keeps on chewing, ripping, shredding, tearing anything she see.. gotta problem with this..but thanks with this blog..
nice blog.. liked it very much...
joesen on December 14, 2010 at 09:38 PM
I truly understand! And while I can not buy them a new guitar, I certainly can lend them shoulder to cry on. And a trainer referral. I guess I could lend them my guitar, but some of it is missing.