Dog Question

[smitdavi]

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

[Gargoyle]

Originally Posted by smitdavi

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

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!

[pakrat]

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

[DrDubzz]

Originally Posted by pakrat

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

What he said, and a close watch

[chibnkr]

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

[livwire68]

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. 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.

[smitdavi]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle

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!

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

[hotreds]

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!

[smitdavi]

Originally Posted by hotreds

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!

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

[St. Lou Stu]

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

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle

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!

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

[Pulse]

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!

[smitdavi]

Originally Posted by Pulse

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!

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

[King James]

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.

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by Blueface

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

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

[chibnkr]

Originally Posted by Blueface

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

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

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by chibnkr

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

she did marry you

[RGD.]

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

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle

We have a couple greater swiss mountain dogs.

Love the Alpenzeller dogs. My cousin has a GSMD in Switzerland.

As for the question posted:

-Don't buy a puppy
-Live with it
-Hope they don't chew it
-Work the dog until he's too tired to chew
-Keep the dog out of the room unless you are watching him

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Love the Alpenzeller dogs. My cousin has a GSMD in Switzerland.

As for the question posted:

-Don't buy a puppy
-Live with it
-Hope they don't chew it
-Work the dog until he's too tired to chew
-Keep the dog out of the room unless you are watching him

uh.... psssst.......




He already got a puppy.......



(goes back to reading the content of the thread)