Won't stop tearing things up

[novaman396]

Harley is 7 monthes old and came to us from rescue. We have a crate and have fenced certain area's of the house off. Here is the problem if you turn your back on him he will chew up things around him. Shirts, Napkin Rings, just to name a few no furniture yet (Thank God). He has torn the same coat hooks out of the wall 4 times now pulling on coats and jackets to get them down. Loves to bite wood and I have bought the spray that works on base boards. My wife and I don't have a lot therefore we can not afford to replace what little we have.....PLEASE HELP

 

[jane]

Sounds like he could use some training. I alway's found keeping a leash on them, in the house so you can correct them, work's well. When you have corrected them, replace what you took from them w/a toy, bone etc...Also, make sure he is getting good excercise. Some people think newf's don't need alot of excercise. They enjoy it very much. Your going to get the real pro's responding to your thread....Take advice from them...It worked for me.

 

[Ivoryudx]

Sounds as though Harley needs some lessons in 'leave it'! Of course most all puppies go through these stages of destruction, but some Obedience classes, and rules of behavior are essential.

You can start by putting a leash on him, and let him drag it around the house while your there. IF at any time, he starts to get interested in something, or wonders off, you call him to you, and reward him with a treat if he comes. If he doesn't then tell him to 'leave it' and get a hold of the leash and pop him to you, making him do as you ask. You will probably have to start working this by giving him your undivided attention for a few hours at a time. If you can not do that, you can either tether him to you, or don't feel bad for putting him in his crate until he earns his freedom.

At this age, he is very trainable. Its just going to take A LOT of effort and time on your part to teach him what is acceptable and what is not.

hth,

 

[Ivoryudx]

Haha, Jane I must have been typing when you posted!

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I also won't leave around and in his reachthat you don't want him to ahve. I know you can't take the woodwork away but try other 'no chew' products on it. What works for one may not work for another and differntproducts have different bad tastes.

Do not leave clothes, papers, food ot anything else out. Put things away! If you coats musthang on the hooks, then don't let him access to where they are if you can watch him and do the leash thing suggested by others.

As the others have said it will take time & patience, it will not happen over night.

 

[suse]

We have recently rescued an 11 mos old who did a lot of the same things. I can say the advice given here is spot on. We kept Seamus on a leash in the house, taught him "leave it", moved things out of reach, use baby gates (we still do) to keep him where we are, and have signed up for obedience class. It took a couple of weeks for him to settle in and settle down. I've learned from reading this site that that is all normal. The trick that works the best for Seamus is EXERCISE. A good 45 min to an hour walk after work tires him out for the evening and we have the perfect dog. I also got him Bully Sticks and he loves those. One can keep him busy for a good hour and a half. (Then he spends a half hour walking around trying to hide his bone.) For some reason, he also likes to have either his leash by him, or one of our shoes. He doesn't chew on it, just likes it there. He's a big loving goofball. It is worth the effort you put into it now, cause I'm learning there's nothing better than a Newf!

 

[novaman396]

Thanks to all you truly are people who care as do I thanks for the time and effort you have taken to show me the way. God Bless Mike

 

[Charlie'sMom]

I found vaseline laced with hot chili powder works better than any "no chew" spray on woodwork ...

 

[CMDRTED]

Mike (Novaman) is one of my Dispatchers. He is a good guy, and Harley is such a cutie monster. Mike how about a good chewing bone, besides the exercise.

 

[Ohana Mom]

If obedience classes aren't an option right now - you can also start working with him right at home. Have you started teaching him basic commands - like sit, stay, come etc? Having him on a leash is great advice. But remember - you have a WORKING breed - and that means they need a job. A job can be as simple as healing in the living room on a leash and going through the commands. He needs to understand that YOU are in charge. You start establishing this with him by teaching him commands etc. Then - as he attempts to do something wrong and you correct him with a "no no" he will respond to you. But this is a process - it takes time for them to learn just like kids.
Read on here and do a search for training - there is a lot of great info here.