Dog Question
 

Katie and I are looking to get a Choc Lab puppy in the near future. The question is: Is there anything that I can rub on the legs of our TV stand,coffee table, and table and chair legs to keep the dog from chewing on it? Or are there any other tips to keep them from chewing on the furniture?

Thanks

Re: Dog Question
 

We have a couple greater swiss mountain dogs. The male loved to chew things and we tried some kind of rosemary spray that he actually loved to chew on. We had very good luck with Grannick's Bitter Apple spray. The only negative is it seems to only last a short time before you have to re-apply it.

Good luck!

Re: Dog Question
 

We were lucky and never had them chew up furniture they shred stuffed animals.

Re: Dog Question
 

Lots of chew toys. Gives them something safe to chew on.

Re: Dog Question
 

I figured there was a spray on the market. Does it affect the wood at all?

Re: Dog Question
 

Yeah...Mom and Dad's dog rip the shreds out of like 3-4 stuffed rabbits lol

Re: Dog Question
 

Bitter Apple will do the trick, indeed. Shouldn't bother furniture, test to be sure. If you're around and the puppy starts to chew get a squirt gun, fill it with lemon juice, and shoot him in the face and yell "NO!" Eyes will sting, mouth will pucker, and he/she will get the idea!

Good luck!

Re: Dog Question
 

Yeah...good training is also the key too imo

Re: Dog Question
 

I second the Apple Bitter spray. Google should reveal a source. Per forum rules I cannot reveal sources.:D

Re: Dog Question
 

:r you are your avatar

Re: Dog Question
 

Please o' Please Tim...I won't tell a soul I promise. Good sources are hard to come by :D

Re: Dog Question
 

take it to pm ,ladies

Re: Dog Question
 

Yes, I have been told ;) that the ISOM Bitter Apple is better.

Re: Dog Question
 

I know onr thing for sure..... don't use peanut butter.... they won't stop licking! Ohhhhhhh Gawd...... It's sooooo nice!
Here girl!

Re: Dog Question
 

When you catch them biting or chewing, bite down on their ear until they yelp.
It really works, just dont do this with adult pit bulls!

Re: Dog Question
 

I knew you were a little off :r:r

Re: Dog Question
 

The bitter apple usually works, except for one of my fathers mutant dogs that seem to actually like it. Just make sure you dont get any on your fingers and then touch your mouth...believe me, youll only have to make that mistake ONCE.
Bitter Apple can be found at Petco

I hear bitter YUCK also works well but I think its harder to find

Re: Dog Question
 

What he said, and a close watch

Re: Dog Question
 

There is a product called "Bitter Apple" that is supposed to work.

Re: Dog Question
 

Bitter apple spray? Not sure they make it though. But if they did I think it would work! It could possibly be found at one of them there places they sell fish and critter food. :D But honestly with it being a hunting dog and a puppy, it will more than likely need plenty to chew on (provide him/her enough "safe" toys and they shouldnt chew on things they are not supposed to. Also check out sites like Cabella'a/bass pro shops or even specific hunting dog training sites so that you might be able to start them off the right way.

Re: Dog Question
 

Stuff works great.
Many, many years ago, used it for a yorkie that loved chewing up the dining table and chairs.
It worked.

Re: Dog Question
 

Training....training....training...early and consistently. Bitter Apple will work in some cases but randomly at best and isn't a silver bullet for chewing. Dogs chew my nature so given you have the advantage of getting a puppy, condition him/her at an early stage and be consistent in your training. Pick one or 2 chew toys that will be "thiers" to chew on. DO NOT make it a toy that is similar to a human piece of clothing etc. ( I.E. a shoe, etc...) Dogs cannot differentiate between their "shoe" and your shoe...to them, it's a chew toy. So go buy them a toy that they can use regularly to chew on that won't be confused with something else they shouldn't be chewing.

NOTHING and I mean NOTHING works better than consistency when it comes to training a dog. Dogs look to YOU to guide them so do it and do it consistently. Having a puppy is a great advantage as they will look to you to teach them the appropriate way to behave. Now that does't mean that a full grown dog can't be reconditioned, far from the truth. The old adage that an old dog can't learn new tricks is total BS...hehehe. Exercise the hell out of them, then proceed to train them (fetch, stay, sit, blah blah blah), then praise them after they do it right. (in that order)

I could go on and on and on and on about this as i've trained dozens upon dozens of dogs over the years this way so feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss this in more detail or have more questions and want my opinion.

Training a dog is a lot simpler than it's made out to be and never requires aggressive/negative behavior on your part to accomplish what you want...(yelling/hitting/etc.)

Now, this is just one opinion and many here have had huge success in their own methods which is great so take it for what it's worth. Just a random guy offering an opinion on a topic you asked about on an open forum...hehehe.

Smoke on! :ss

Re: Dog Question
 

Wow...thanks for the response. Some good insight there. We find out today from the landlord if they will allow it or not. So keeping fingers crossed, I might pm you later today :tu

Re: Dog Question
 

I second (well maybe 4th by now) using bitter apple. Although, I've never had to use it. Usually having a chew tow and watching closely to correct them (like Pulse said) if they start chewing works.

Re: Dog Question
 

Training Training Training, and get the dog a KONG!

Re: Dog Question
 

I disagree with the yelling, pulling the ear, etc. It doesn't take much to discourage chewing. Find your dog a chew toy that it simply can't ignore (KONG). Use some bitter apple spray to spray down power cords or other favorite chewed items, and then when you catch puppy chewing, give them a firm "NO" and provide them with their chew toy. Chewing is necessary for puppies and shouldn't be discouraged, just redirected.

Re: Dog Question
 

My black lab pup loved the nylabones (sp). The puppy ones they can really go after and they are safe to digest (in moderation).

I think supervision and distraction are the keys.

Re: Dog Question
 

:tpd: Plenty of time and LOADS of patience !

Re: Dog Question
 

We have an appointment tomorrow morning to look at a Choc Lab puppy. We will probably come home with him if everything goes ok.

Re: Dog Question
 

maybe you should spray Bill's ankles with bitter apple.:r

Re: Dog Question
 

Best of luck. The KONGs and Nylabones work well. For our beagle (destructo dog) we have to keep an eye on him constantly and have a well stocked bin of rawhides to redirect his focus when the others fail.

Re: Dog Question
 

As I'm sure others have said, use apple bitter. Don't get the substitutes. I had a pointer that didn't like the substitute at first and then started enjoying it! Got apple bitter and if he saw me with the bottle he ran. Hated that stuff.

Also, have a box of chew toys somewhere that he has access to. Anytime he starts to chew something inappropriate, scold him and then take him to the box. Encourage him to take something out to play with and praise him when he does.

With that said, you will be doing yourself, your furniture and your new friend a huge favor by taking him to obedience training.

Re: Dog Question
 

:tpd:

Re: Dog Question
 

Bitter apple never worked for me the dog liked the crap!!

I agree with give them plenty of toys to chew, our new puppy never chewed anything he wasn't supposed to because we gave him his toys when it was play time and he got to chew them all to shreds.

Re: Dog Question
 

Yeah, that's what my wife told me...bitter apple. FWIW, she is a veterinarian so she knows her stuff, LOL.

Re: Dog Question
 

I had a Chocolate lab. You can use bitter apple spray, but my suggestion would be to crate train the dog, and leave him in the crate when you are out. When you are around, if you see him chewing, scold him sternly and consistently. Chocolate labs are very smart dogs and he will be trained in a few weeks.
Rocky used to be able to open the front door of our house and close it after himself. I was also training him to open the fridge and bring me a beer, but once he learned to open the fridge, my reward wasn't enough to compensate for whatever was on the bottom shelf. Then we had to train him not to open the fridge.:ss

Re: Dog Question
 

Crate training is def the way we were thinking of going


Currently were just puppy proofing the house

Re: Dog Question
 

she did marry you :lv

Re: Dog Question
 

Another thumbs up on the Bitter Apple - but the way I found best to use it is this:

Take a rag and soak it with the Bitter Apple. Let the puppy smell it - and then pretty much just put it in his/her mouth. This way they will know that the smell goes with the taste - and will avoid it.

But as noted above - some dogs actually like it. My neighbors have a new Boston Terrier pup that goes around licking it off the furniture. Go figure.

Bitter Apple is safe for most all furniture finishes and fabrics with the exception of lacquer I have found. As with most liquids, lacquer tends to cloud slightly if you put enough on.

Best bet is the above and plenty of chew toys, bones and training crate as chewing is vital.


Ron

Re: Dog Question
 

Picked up a few things last night: Leash, collar, food bowls...and got the crate from my parents. Will pick up some more stuff as we go along! Were leaving within the hour. Don't think were gonna bring him home tomorrow. Katie will be out of town all afternoon and evening and I'm having some friends over tonight. We'll probably pick it up and bring him home on Sunday when he can spend the entire day with US and not be in shock with all the people over and in the house.....but were REALLY excited

Re: Dog Question
 

Puppies chew. You need to train the dog on what it can a can not chew. Get the puppies some chew toys. Get yourself a squirt gun/bottle. When the puppy chews someting it is not allowed to chew, squirt the dog with water. Then remove the dog to another area with a chew toy. BE CONSISTENT. The dod will quickly learn what it can chew and what it can't. Buy a female puppy. They are easier to train.

Two types of dogs. Those with owners who trained them consistently. Those with owners who did not train them or did not train them consistently.

Re: Dog Question
 

Just got home....pics will come later. His full name is

Dante of Autumn Leaf

Re: Dog Question
 

Here's some pics:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...d/IMG_1213.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...d/IMG_1221.jpg

Re: Dog Question
 

Congrats you two!

Good lookin pup ya got there!

Re: Dog Question
 

He's pretty cute. My lab had huge paws as a puppy and we always thought he's be big. He was 140LBS at one point! Have fun!

Re: Dog Question
 

Well so far were about .500 on making it outside to use the bathroom...not bad for the first day in a new home

Re: Dog Question
 

Youre kidding, right?

Re: Dog Question
 

Any tips on potty training the pup? When he does the dirty in the house I call him over, say "NO" then take him outside. When he goes outside I praise him, bring him in and give him a treat. Is this the right way? Any help is greatly appreciated lol

Re: Dog Question
 

Yes, and awwwwwww!

Re: Dog Question
 

Continue to do just that, but make sure you show him exactly why you're saying no. If you have to, point his face at it. Then bring him swiftly outside. Also try to identify the signals he gives off when he has to go. When you see the signals, that's when to bring him out.
If you catch him in the act, yell, and make a big deal about it and then bring him outside immediately.
Before long, he'll make the association and know where it's OK to go.

Do you have a fenced in area where he can go, or do you walk him on a leash?