Alright gents, I need some advice. My 6 year old pit bull terrier is eating the door and doorjam of the pocket door I just installed. I want to hear some suggestions (humane) on how to keep her from destroying my house.

Heres the background. 6 year old female pitbull terrier, spayed, thyroid controlled w/ twice daily pill, blood levels just checked 2 weeks ago and the dosage is good. Ive had her since she was 9 or 10 weeks old, she does have some abandenment issues (my fault, had to work on the east coast). Shes not a bad dog at all. In fact she has been a part of our family since she was a pup. She loves me, my wife, my friends, and their kids. Has no aggressive behavior towards dogs or anything for that matter.

I just want to stop coming home and getting so mad at her I want to take in the yard and put her out of my misery. She is crate trained but I dont think its fair to leave her in her crate for 8 hrs at a time while we're at work.

Thanks for your thoughts
Scott

 

She is only doing that because she is angry with you for leaving her alone, the crate may be the only answer.

 

Put your dog outside on a zip line or something dogs or meant to be outside.

 

I agree, when we lived in San Diego she was outside all day. Now we live in Colorado, she cant handle 30* weather, not to mention that we had a few days not get warmer than -5*. So to me outside all day during the winter is not an option.

Has anyone tried the anti-chew sprays?

 

When older dogs start getting into mischief, it's because they want more attention. You need to make a point to take the dog on a run everyday to make her tierd. This will keep her from having extra energy and make her not look for your attention.

 

she's lonely and bored, just entertaining herself. get her a companion dog. they are social animals and like companionship.
i have an american bull dog and a german shepherd both dogs are terrific, but they do much better when they have companionship then when they are alone. eating, behavior, etc

 

yep, sounds like she is bored and acting out a bit. Rather than a 'spray' iwould mix up some cayenne pepper in water and make a paste. rub that on the area that she is chewing on. She wont like it for sure but it wont hurt her.

If you don't have time for a walk everyday you may try getting one of those big fold-up crates. they are pretty big and unless you dog is the size of a small horse, they provide plenty of room her. When it is warm outside, put her in a kennel or a dog run. I don't like leashes on a stake as I came very close to loosing a dog by strangulation that way.

One thing to remember is that this is YOUR fault. the dog does not know that the door is anything special, it is just convenient and may taste good!!! I taught my first dog to chew on sticks, which look remarkably similar to a chair leg from a dogs point of view. You can guess what happened.

I generally buy mine different types of ***** to play with. this helps him because he doesn't have any of his own anymore. Your dog may not have the same level of appreciation as mine does. Then again maybe the toys I chose are a bit cruel, I'll have to get back to you on that one!!!

Just keep in mind that she is reacting to her environment, the trick is to make her realize that she is not supposed to do that, or provide an environment where she does not feel the need to do so.

A good rule of thumb for obedience is that you have 3 seconds to discipline an animal for mis-behaving. You can use anything you choose to discipline her with. But you have to go get what ever you are going to use and it must be more than 10 feet from you. (you can't be holding the bat in your hands) You can yell at her within that 3 seconds but you can not use her name. A loud clap works best. Use her name only for affection or for commands during obedience requests i.e. sit, stay, fetch me a beer... that kind of stuff. After 3 seconds the punishment is retribution, not discipline. A reaction to retribution is completely different than discipline. You can actually see it in the dogs mannerisms. And generally that reaction is to get nervous and to increase the bad (or nervous) behavior.

One thing I have done on the past is to leave one of my under shirts (unwashed) on the floor or on the bed that my dog sleeps in. Your scent will soothe her nerves and remind her that you are close by. Believe it or not, it works.

Just my .02 cents hope it helps!!!

 

we used some stuff called "bitter apple." It worked.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments.
Those of you that said this is my fault, you are RIGHT! I am guilty of not walking her everyday, especially if its cold/snowing. That is something I can control.
I also like the idea of getting a companion for her. When she is at my folks house she plays with their french bull dog, gets tired and sleeps...thats it, no mischief.
I also like the idea of leaving an undershirt with her. She is so attached to me, she wants to be next to me ALL the time. We have let her become a family member, which is what this breed needs, but in doing so we've created anxiety in her when we're gone. I believe that I have done a great job in raising her, and feel very confident in her behavior around people, kids, and dogs. But I think that I have screwed up a little in keeping her occupied (walks, runs, etc.).

Scott

 

The thing with dogs, is that when you leave the door. They do not understand that your going to the store and coming home. They thik your gone forever, until you open the door again. That's when the excitment kicks in to see you again. So in the mean time they find something else to do to find attention. That's where your door came in the equation. Exercise will solve your problem.

 

An insulated dog house with a drop light will stay plenty warm even in cold weather provided the house is sized right for the dog.

 

This is what i use http://www.k9electronics.com/product...12ScatMat.aspx

 

I think that if you tried having the dog outside and with what ofcmarc suggested, the problem would stop. Those temps are not bad for a dog at all.
My brother had a terrier that lived outside year round and sometimes that dog would be on top of his dog house when the snow was blowing and the temps REAL cold.

Nice shelter a bit of heat and a decent run with some toys. Long walks.

Scotty

 

I have a big dog house for my small herd. It's all 2x2 construction with 1/4" sheeting Inside and out and insulated with blue board. Top, sides and bottom. Piece of canvas for a door and a wind wall inside to keep the breeze out if the canvas doesn't. The roof hinges for cleaning and summer time venting as well as a second door for summer air circulation.

A drop light with a 90w bulb would keep it +20* inside the doghouse even at -40*. add a bit of straw and the dogs are always nice and cozy.

 

Put some Chayenne pepper on it. Most of the time that will fix the chewing on things right up.