How do I keep puppy away from something?

[melaniejane84]

Hey. I've lived with dogs all my life but I've never raised a puppy before. How do I stop my new puppy from chewing all the wrong things? He's got it in his head to chew the skirting boards, the tables, chairs, sofas, walls, kitchen cupboards, and the power cables I've sprayed them with bitter apple (which did nothing) tried distracting with, or just stuffing toys into his mouth (which he immediately spits out) tried making various loud noises to distract him, but he doesn't even look up. I can clap, stomp, shake a can of pennies, honestly it's like he's deaf. If I physically move him away 100 times, he goes back 101. Even standing near to him offering a treat doesn't break his concentration. It's driving me crazy, I obviously can't remove these things. If I try putting him in a time-out he just goes attacks something in one of the other rooms - I don't have a single room in my house that there is nothing he wants to attack.

He doesn't have a crate as such, but he does have a puppy pen. He sleeps in this at night perfectly well, which has helped no end with his overnight house-training, however he won't tolerate being in it during the day when all he wants to do is play and will just attack the pen. He will tolerate being shut in the kitchen with a baby-gate, which is what I'm doing.

I can't walk his energy off because he hasn't had all his vaccinations yet, plus I know you can't over-exercise a BM puppy. He has so many chew toys I keep falling over them.

He'll be starting training classes next month, but I could really use some advice for in the meantime before he demolishes my house, not to mention his teeth. Thanks.

 

[Sinnister]

Mine was the same way. I just had the leash on her in the house to make sure that if she chewed something she wasn't supposed to I could guide her away without having to pick her up all the time.

She's 6 months and still chews things she's not supposed to though....so.

 

[musicdeb]

Try frozen wash cloths or hand towels, freeze yogurt in a kong, freeze treats in ice cubes which will offer mental stimulation. Play hide and seek with pup by hiding yourself and hiding treats. He is teething and needs to chew. Also try nylabones, ropes, deer antlers, bully sticks.

Once the pup has had at least 2 rounds of shot, 3 rounds to be sure, walk and run the pup. Check out a flirt pole which offers great exercise. The pup can run and walk but it's advisable to not allow aggressive running or jumping.

Do you have stairs? Are they carpeted?

 

[melaniejane84]

I give him peanut butter and banana Kongs. He has numerous nylabones, rope toys, as well as plush toys and blankets he likes to nibble on. Most of the time he loves all of these but when he gets his 'destructive' head on he's like a puppy possessed and just ignores all his favourite toys. Not tried the frozen towels yet, I was saving that for when his teething gets really bad (he's not even 9 weeks old yet). Not tried bully sticks either, are these safe for his age? Never heard of a flirt pole before, they look interesting.

I do have carpeted stairs, I was under the impression my puppy should stay away from them until he's a lot older? (Which will be another post, 'how on earth do I carry a 9 month old BM upstairs? )

My puppy's asleep right now. Oh, blissful peace and quiet lol

(Except for the snoring)

 

[cinnamon roll]

I would put him on a house leash. Tether him to you or crate him when you can not watch him like a hawk.

And yes you should try to keep him away from stairs as much as you can. If you do take him on the stairs be sure that you are holding his leash or collar and take them slow.

Has he learned his name yet?

 

[musicdeb]

I give him peanut butter and banana Kongs. He has numerous nylabones, rope toys, as well as plush toys and blankets he likes to nibble on. Most of the time he loves all of these but when he gets his 'destructive' head on he's like a puppy possessed and just ignores all his favourite toys. Not tried the frozen towels yet, I was saving that for when his teething gets really bad (he's not even 9 weeks old yet). Not tried bully sticks either, are these safe for his age? Never heard of a flirt pole before, they look interesting.

I do have carpeted stairs, I was under the impression my puppy should stay away from them until he's a lot older? (Which will be another post, 'how on earth do I carry a 9 month old BM upstairs? )

My puppy's asleep right now. Oh, blissful peace and quiet lol

(Except for the snoring)

Yes, the bully sticks are safe for dogs. A lot of members give them to their dogs. Flirt pole will give the pup the exercise that he needs and he will be one tired pup.

 

[LLJohnson10]

If spraying the bitter apple on the objects won't work as a deterrent, say no, then spray the bitter apple directly into the pups mouth when caught in the act of chewing something that he shouldn't chew. Then praise immediately when he stops, and give even more praise when he/she chews the appropriate item.

 

[Hector]

If spraying the bitter apple on the objects won't work as a deterrent, say no, then spray the bitter apple directly into the pups mouth when caught in the act of chewing something that he shouldn't chew. Then praise immediately when he stops, and give even more praise when he/she chews the appropriate item.

Really??? First try spraying it in your mouth and see how long the bitterness lasts.

 

[musicdeb]

I agree with Hector, spray in the pup's mouth? I would check those ingredients before doing that and find out if that is even safe.

 

[melaniejane84]

Yeah, he's learned his name, but he only comes to me for a treat. We're still working on that I've also taught him to sit, lie down and shake hands. (I'm clicker training him). I've noticed that sometimes, telling him to sit will interrupt when he's being naughty.

He's so good for about 20 hours of the day, but every so often he'll just turn psycho! I took him to see my father-in-law yesterday and he grabbed and pulled a curtain so hard he ripped the metal tie-back right out of the wall

The treats frozen in ice cubes are helpful to distract him though, thanks musicdeb Now he gets excited every time I open the freezer.

Thanks for all your ideas guys, I'll be working my way through them to see what works.

 

[musicdeb]

Remain consistent, he will get it. He wants to please you but he needs to know what you want him to do.

Consistency in training with motivational treats with LOTS of patience. When you become frustrated, either walk away for a few minutes to decompress or make the pup sit while you take deep breaths. Your frustration will cause the pup to shut down even more and stop listening. Before training, deep breaths and shoulders back to show confidence with the pup. Let the pup know that you've got it.

 

[Hector]

If spraying the bitter apple on the objects won't work as a deterrent, say no, then spray the bitter apple directly into the pups mouth when caught in the act of chewing something that he shouldn't chew. Then praise immediately when he stops, and give even more praise when he/she chews the appropriate item.

The product has 20% isopropanol. Alcohol is toxic to dogs so I would not use a product like that.

Crate the puppy when you can't supervise him. Don't allow him to get to things you don't want him to chew by keeping him on a drag line. Provide lots of different chew things and toys of different textures for him. Cardboard boxes are a big hit here. Provide some rope toys, soft plush toys, soft rubber toys, hard rubber toys, tug toys, furry toys, puzzle toys, stuff and freeze kongs. Begin to crate train the dog.

 

[DennasMom]

If the bitter apple stuff doesn't work.. try pledge (citrus), vicks or sports creme (that worked for Denna)... some dogs have a strange sense of taste. Denna DROOOLS when the vicks lid comes off, but won't go near the wintergreen scent of sports creme. Who knew?!?!

At 9 weeks, he's not just baby, he's INFANT. Be consistent and keep at it... 101, 102, 202, 502 times... eventually it will sink in.
Make the no-no items very boring and unpleasant, and make the good-to-chew items EXCITING and FUN and TASTY. Don't just stuff his mouth with the toy... make the toy dance for him!

Bully sticks are great for that age. Denna had 12" sticks that lasted about a week each... now they last about 2 minutes.
Stuffed kongs, pigs ears, "etta says" sticks, frozen anything (water with fruit, low-sodium broth, broccoli, carrots, bananas, etc.)

Clicker training is awesome! Sounds like he's a smart puppy, and he'll get this piece of the puzzle eventually, too.

We loved the crate at this age... actually, for Denna... she needed a crate until she was about a year old to keep her from chewing things out of boredom when we weren't' home with her. Crates are a great thing for everyone's safety and sanity.

 

[DMikeM]

I am going with what works for me here. Tell him no pull him away from the object or remove it from him use a leash if needed and give him something he is allowed to chew on. Keep doing it teach him no and leave it with a stern voice. When you trade up be friendly and let him know this new thing is good to chew on. I give water bottles with kibble in it no top, rope toys, an old piece of leather I had laying around. Just anything that he likes.