I am at my wits end! rehomed 3 yr old pointer.

[Beezlies]

We rehomed our dog two years ago after sadly losing our Weimaraner dog to old age two years prior.

Our English Pointer was 8 months old, when we got him and we were informed he was toilet trained (yes) and crate trained (no). We were given his crate, but there was no plastic tray, as had destroyed it, so we got him a new tray which he then destroyed over time. He was also allowed to sleep in the bedrooms at his previous home, which I refused to allow- just because of my two small children. He was rarely let off the lead, so his recall was terrible. We have managed to crack this, although it's been very challenging at times!

We purchased another crate, but I decided that I was going to see if we could get him out of the crate as he hated it so much.

We moved house and I let him have the run of the kitchen, but after some time he destroyed the architrave by the door and then decided to attack the plasterboard in the wall leave a gaping hole which my and my husband would tireless refill each day.

A friend suggested an extra tall dog gate, so we did this. First of all he would jump it, then he decided to chew the handle off (ignoring the taste of bitter apple spray!). He was having access to the hallway and dining room and for two weeks he didn't do anything. Then he decided to attack the carpet in the hallway.

So I have brought back his crate into the kitchen. I have not shut him in when I have nipped out, but just relocated the bin near to the gate to stop him jumping over (which he still manages to do)

He has every chewable treat, toys, balls you name it - he has it! He won't touch his treats or his filled Kong when I leave the house. He is more interested in being destructive!

I am now thinking of getting a lockable kennel with run for the garden, so at least I do not have the dread of coming home to a disaster zone!

I have two small children who idolise him, I love him dearly, my husband not so! Although he walks him at 5am for 30 mins off lead! He then gets an hour walk off lead with me, early afternoon. I work part time and am lucky to have the school holidays off, so he is not left alone all week.

He is worst when we come and go during the day, if I go out all day and don't return home midday, he is usually fine. If I come home take him out, then leave again, he will be destructive.

He won't touch his Kong filled with treats which are varied each day (sausages, cream cheese, peanut butter)

He is fine at night time sleeping downstairs and we have no problems with him doing anything.

I really need some advice as to what to do next. I would be dishonest if I didn't say I have thought about rehoming him to someone who is home all day everyday, just because of the stress he causes. I love him and so do my children. I am determined to not give him up as he is amazing with my children and other dogs, people etc. walks are becoming pleasurable!

We take him to Center Parcs each year and he is fine. He doesn't do anything!

Any advice would be gratefully received. I can't afford a dog behaviourist otherwise that would be my next option!

We rehomed our dog two years ago after sadly losing our Weimaraner dog to old age two years prior.Our English was 8 months old, when we got him and we were informed he was toilet trained (yes) and crate trained (no). We were given his crate, but there was no plastic tray, as had destroyed it, so we got him a new tray which he then destroyed over the time. He was also allowed to sleep in the bedrooms at his previous home, which I refused to allow- just because of my two small children. He was rarely let off the lead, so his recall was terrible. We have managed to crack this, although it's been very challenging at times!

We purchased another crate, but I decided that I was going to see if we could get him out of the crate as he hated it so much.

We moved house and I let him have the run of the kitchen, but after some time he destroyed the architrave by the door and then decided to attack the plasterboard in the wall leave a gaping hole which my and my husband would tireless refill each day.

A friend suggested an extra tall dog gate, so we did this. First of all he would jump it, then he decided to chew the handle off (ignoring the taste of bitter apple spray!). He was having access to the hallway and dining room and for two weeks he didn't do anything. Then he decided to attack the carpet in the hallway.

So I have brought back his crate into the kitchen. I have not shut him in when I have nipped out, but just relocated the bin near to the gate to stop him jumping over (which he still manages to do)

He has every chewable treat, toys, balls you name it - he has it! He won't touch his treats or his filled Kong when I leave the house. He is more interested in being destructive!

I am now thinking of getting a lockable kennel with run for the garden, so at least I do not have the dread of coming home to a disaster zone!

I have two small children who idolise him, I love him dearly, my husband not so! Although he walks him at 5am for 30 mins off lead! He then gets an hour walk off lead with me, early afternoon. I work part time and am lucky to have the school holidays off, so he is not left alone all week.

He is worst when we come and go during the day, if I go out all day and don't return home midday, he is usually fine. If I come home take him out, then leave again, he will be destructive.

He won't touch his Kong filled with treats which are varied each day (sausages, cream cheese, peanut butter)

He is fine at night time sleeping downstairs and we have no problems with him doing anything.

I really need some advice as to what to do next. I would be dishonest if I didn't say I have thought about rehoming him to someone who is home all day everyday, just because of the stress he causes. I love him and so do my children. I am determined to not give him up as he is amazing with my children and other dogs, people etc. walks are becoming pleasurable!

We take him to Center Parcs each year and he is fine. He doesn't do anything!

Any advice would be gratefully received. I can't afford a dog behaviourist otherwise that would be my next option!

We rehomed our dog two years ago after sadly losing our Weimaraner dog to old age two years prior.

Our English Pointer was 8 months old, when we got him and we were informed he was toilet trained (yes) and crate trained (no). We were given his crate, but there was no plastic tray, as had destroyed it, so we got him a new tray which he then destroyed over the time. He was also allowed to sleep in the bedrooms at his previous home, which I refused to allow- just because of my two small children. He was rarely let off the lead, so his recall was terrible. We have managed to crack this, although it's been very challenging at times!

We purchased another crate, but I decided that I was going to see if we could get him out of the crate as he hated it so much.

We moved house and I let him have the run of the kitchen, but after some time he destroyed the architrave by the door and then decided to attack the plasterboard in the wall leave a gaping hole which my and my husband would tireless refill each day.

A friend suggested an extra tall dog gate, so we did this. First of all he would jump it, then he decided to chew the handle off (ignoring the taste of bitter apple spray!). He was having access to the hallway and dining room and for two weeks he didn't do anything. Then he decided to attack the carpet in the hallway.

So I have brought back his crate into the kitchen. I have not shut him in when I have nipped out, but just relocated the bin near to the gate to stop him jumping over (which he still manages to do)

He has every chewable treat, toys, balls you name it - he has it! He won't touch his treats or his filled Kong when I leave the house. He is more interested in being destructive!

I am now thinking of getting a lockable kennel with run for the garden, so at least I do not have the dread of coming home to a disaster zone!

I have two small children who idolise him, I love him dearly, my husband not so! Although he walks him at 5am for 30 mins off lead! He then gets an hour walk off lead with me, early afternoon. I work part time and am lucky to have the school holidays off, so he is not left alone all week.

He is worst when we come and go during the day, if I go out all day and don't return home midday, he is usually fine. If I come home take him out, then leave again, he will be destructive.

He won't touch his Kong filled with treats which are varied each day (sausages, cream cheese, peanut butter)

He is fine at night time sleeping downstairs and we have no problems with him doing anything.

I really need some advice as to what to do next. I would be dishonest if I didn't say I have thought about rehoming him to someone who is home all day everyday, just because of the stress he causes. I love him and so do my children. I am determined to not give him up as he is amazing with my children and other dogs, people etc. walks are becoming pleasurable!

We take him to Center Parcs each year and he is fine. He doesn't do anything!

Any advice would be gratefully received. I can't afford a dog behaviourist otherwise that would be my next option!

We rehomed our dog two years ago after sadly losing our Weimaraner dog to old age two years prior.Our English was 8 months old, when we got him and we were informed he was toilet trained (yes) and crate trained (no). We were given his crate, but there was no plastic tray, as had destroyed it, so we got him a new tray which he then destroyed over the time. He was also allowed to sleep in the bedrooms at his previous home, which I refused to allow- just because of my two small children. He was rarely let off the lead, so his recall was terrible. We have managed to crack this, although it's been very challenging at times!

We purchased another crate, but I decided that I was going to see if we could get him out of the crate as he hated it so much.

We moved house and I let him have the run of the kitchen, but after some time he destroyed the architrave by the door and then decided to attack the plasterboard in the wall leave a gaping hole which my and my husband would tireless refill each day.

A friend suggested an extra tall dog gate, so we did this. First of all he would jump it, then he decided to chew the handle off (ignoring the taste of bitter apple spray!). He was having access to the hallway and dining room and for two weeks he didn't do anything. Then he decided to attack the carpet in the hallway.

So I have brought back his crate into the kitchen. I have not shut him in when I have nipped out, but just relocated the bin near to the gate to stop him jumping over (which he still manages to do)

He has every chewable treat, toys, balls you name it - he has it! He won't touch his treats or his filled Kong when I leave the house. He is more interested in being destructive!

I am now thinking of getting a lockable kennel with run for the garden, so at least I do not have the dread of coming home to a disaster zone!

I have two small children who idolise him, I love him dearly, my husband not so! Although he walks him at 5am for 30 mins off lead! He then gets an hour walk off lead with me, early afternoon. I work part time and am lucky to have the school holidays off, so he is not left alone all week.

He is worst when we come and go during the day, if I go out all day and don't return home midday, he is usually fine. If I come home take him out, then leave again, he will be destructive.

He won't touch his Kong filled with treats which are varied each day (sausages, cream cheese, peanut butter)

He is fine at night time sleeping downstairs and we have no problems with him doing anything.

I really need some advice as to what to do next. I would be dishonest if I didn't say I have thought about rehoming him to someone who is home all day everyday, just because of the stress he causes. I love him and so do my children. I am determined to not give him up as he is amazing with my children and other dogs, people etc. walks are becoming pleasurable!

We take him to Center Parcs each year and he is fine. He doesn't do anything!

Any advice would be gratefully received. I can't afford a dog behaviourist otherwise that would be my next option!

 

[Sandrale21]

Sounds like you need proper training advice so go ask your local dog trainer or go check out Doggy Dan's online training, its a online video subscription where an expert dog trainer called Dan teaches you proper techniques in training puppies or any type of dogs in general. It has a 60 day money back guaranteed, you can cancel your membership anytime and they will refund your purchase in full. Just subscribe for a month or whatever they are offering and go over whatever you need to learn quickly. When your done just contact them by phone or email and say you weren't satisfied and ask for a refund, you will get your money back. You can read a well rounded review about it here reviewyu.com/doggy-dan.html. This will definitely help, its a win win situation so give it a try

 

[gypsysmum]

DoggyDan believes that dogs are dominant so he is well out of date!

Chewing when left is often a sign of separation anxiety and is common in dogs that feel they may be abandoned. There are very good techniques for dealing with this. You need a properly qualified behaviourist who will come to the house and meet your dog to do a proper hands on assessment of him. They will tailor the treatment to suit your circumstances. The two professional bodies that register the behaviourists are COAPE and the APBC.

You are being very patient so well done!

 

[Shewbert]

After owning him for 2 years he should have settled long ago.

You didn't mention how long the dog is left for in a day, he did destroy his crate before the moving of house, so the destructive antics were not really new, just stepped up a level.

I,,Personally don't like crates, (except for dog separation) but there again I have been lucky enough to have dogs which do not destroy.

If the dog is at home for fairly long periods, no amount of toys will help (he has no one to play with)

The key that makes me think this way is that you mentioned you go to centre Parcs and the dog is fine, this is a new home, he shows no attempts to destroy,,, he has someone their for company, lots of people to play with, new smells etc, so he does not get bored.

At home he has nothing to motivate himself with, he chews through the plaster. your husband fills it, dog chews it husband again fills it,,,, good doggy game.

I honestly think that this is boredom.

I have a Macaw, he destroyed everything in sight (ok different animal) When I brought my dog home for the first time luckily world war 2 did not break out, they got on well. the bird has never destroyed a thing since the dog entered the house, sometimes come home to one massive mess though, but no more chewing.

Believe me a large bird and a dog is sometimes worse than having 4 dogs

If you have an enclosed rear garden, fit a doggy hatch on the door, let him feel he has a bit of freedom. you did say he was ok for a couple of weeks when he had access to the hall, yip he got bored again.

In the garden give him a couple of logs to pull around, use these as a game when in the garder, hopefully he will get his frustrations out by chewing and pulling them around.

By all means put a kennel in the garden, he could use this to have a sleep during the day. hide treats around the garden for him to search out and find, plus keeps his mind away from destroying.

So everything in your comments do give the impression of a very bored but intelligent dog.

He destroys, you give him more space ie the hallway, he stops for a bit, he is bored again finds a loose piece of carpet, good tug of war game so he destroys again,

goes to Centre Parcs, is good again because he has all of the family, comes home,,gets bored and it all starts again.

Try giving him the freedom of the garden, he will have lots of sounds, smells, can forage for tidbits, and if you give him his own kennel all the better, if it rains, somewhere to shelter.

Try the above first, if no changes within a couple of weeks, then a credited specialist is needed to quell his chewing.

Sorry for this being soooo long with this

.

Please let us know how you get on.

Shewy