Safe bedding for a destructive dog

[killerz298]

I have a 9 month old lab which LOVES to destroy everything. Whatever he can get in his mouth he MUST destroy it. He had a blanket that he loved and we kept it in his crate for him to ball up and sleep on. He would never bite or try to destroy this blanket. Well starting around a month ago he changed his mind and ate a decent sized chunk out of the blanket. It took two days for it to pass through him but as a result I had to take it away from him for safety.

He developed what I think are small calluses (about 3 small scab like bumps without hair on his leg around his right elbow) which I assume is from laying on the hard crate bottom (I might check with the vet just to make sure thats what they are). Do you guys know of something I can put in his crate for him to lay on that would be safe?

[MafiaPrincess]

How much exercise is the dog getting? Mine tended to be more destructive when we hadn't done enough in a day and she needed to find a way to occupy herself ot make up for it.

[killerz298]

He gets about an hour at the dog park to run and wrestle a day. Other than that he is home all day.

[Herschel]

That isn't nearly enough exercise for a 9 month old lab. Of course he's getting destructive!

If I were in your situation, I would wake up earlier and walk him a couple of miles before or after you go to the dog park. Give him some wrestle time around lunch, and then another 3 or 4 miles of walking in the evening.

As for the bed: http://www.kuranda.com/main/index.asp
(Rescues swear by it for its durability)

[girlbuffalo1]

He doesn't need a bed--Wrigley went through the tear up everything we put in there phase and we just took everything out--no more problems! We tried this winter to get him one again (as we figured he is a year now maybe he can handle it)--same thing--started chewing a corner until it was tore up. We figure out he doesn't really like the bed and it makes him too warm (as we would often find it pushed all the way up the side)--

[Baxter'smybaby]

definitely needs some productive exercise--try spending some time just retrieving--frisbee, tennis ball, etc. I actually have to make my lab take breaks--or she would retrieve until she fell over! She is 11 years old!!
Tire that puppy out---several times a day! And maybe give him a chew toy in the crate (kongs are great--stuff it with goodies)

[SizzleDog]

Primo Pads are great - they are guaranteed, even if chewed.

www.primopads.com

But I'd like to chime in and say that he needs more exercise.

[Chell]

have you tried a carpet remnant?

[killerz298]

He doesn't need a bed--Wrigley went through the tear up everything we put in there phase and we just took everything out--no more problems! We tried this winter to get him one again (as we figured he is a year now maybe he can handle it)--same thing--started chewing a corner until it was tore up. We figure out he doesn't really like the bed and it makes him too warm (as we would often find it pushed all the way up the side)--

I wanted something softer because I heard they develop calluses on their elbows from constantly laying on hard surfaces all the time. He is already starting to form hard bumps around his elbows.

Primo Pads are great - they are guaranteed, even if chewed.

www.primopads.com



Do you know how hard/soft these are? Would it even be much better than the bottom of the cage. If so, it sounds like what I need.

have you tried a carpet remnant?
Carpet is a no go. He already shredded the carpet on my stairs.

[girlbuffalo1]

Wrigley is probably in his crate approximately 6 hours at night and probably another 6 during the day and he has no bumps calluses ect----the dogs don't seem to mind at all.

[Herschel]

Do you know how hard/soft these are? Would it even be much better than the bottom of the cage. If so, it sounds like what I need.

What about the Kuranda?

http://www.kuranda.com/main/index.asp

[noludoru]

Yes, the Kuranda (http://www.kuranda.com/main/index.asp) are sworn by with all the rescue AND shelter people I know. Those Primo pads (http://www.primopads.com/) look pretty good, too, especially if you squirt some Bitter Apple (http://www.bitterapple.com/) on them (to discourage chewing).

Calluses are NORMAL for Labrador Retrievers. They will happen, no matter how much you baby your dog. Period. Your pup likes laying down on hard surfaces sometimes, and that's going to happen.

Instead of trying to patch things up, you need to go to the root of the problem. Patches are just a quick fix, and don't last. The ROOT of his chewing problem is lack of exercise and mental stimulation. For exercise, you need to take him on long walks/runs and hard play sessions such as fetch, tug, frisbee, swimming, etc. An hour a day is nowhere near enough. He's young and he's a member of a retrieving breed that was bred to GO GO GO all day long. Expect to be spending 3 hours in physical exercise if you don't do mental stimulation, which will tire him out much better and faster. For mental stimulation you need to start training.. train him to do some FUN stuff (Someone here can give you good suggestions) like pick up his toys, fetch things for you that are hidden (the remote, usually ;)), put things back where they belong, etc. Take him out around town and practice your commands and tricks where there are loads of distractions (be armed with good treats--really good ones), teach him how to politely greet people, ask him to do his tricks for a small audience, etc. You've got to DO things with him to tire him out. You can even take him shopping in some stores, so you can kill two birds with one stone and run some errands every day with him.

When he goes in his crate for the night (teach him a command for that, like "In your crate!" Time for bed!" etc) give him lots of OTHER things to chew on. Bully sticks, nylabones, raw marrow bones (a bit messy but will keep him occupied for hours, and crates have easy cleanup), kongs with some fun stuff frozen inside. :)

I hope I helped.

OH, and to your Primo pad question.. they are filled with foam, so I would assume they are fairly comfortable. However, the outside of it will STILL cause calluses, because it's not baby-soft. Just don't worry about the calluses--yes they are ugly, but they serve a purpose for your dog, and unless you train him to never lay down on his belly, they will eventually happen.

[squirtsmom]

Definately needs more exercise. Tired puppies are happy puppies, and owners.