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- Oct 20, 2006
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I have a lab who is turning 3 at the end of this month. He STILL doesn't know (or doesn't care) what is his and what is not. I assume part of it is because he doesn't get enough exercise but changing that is just not an option right now.
Whenever we leave the house we leave him gated in a decent sized kitchen (where his crate is) because he can't be trusted not to get into trouble and I don't want to pay a $3000 vet bill. We have to put up folding chairs blocking just about every wall, counter, and the table because if we don't he grabs stuff off and shreds it. He has clawed the walls since he was a puppy so I have tape covering the spots so the drywall doesn't crumble any further. If I leave it unblocked, he will usually pull the tape off the wall but won't do any further digging (at least the last 2 times I tried to leave the chairs down.)
As for around the house when we are home he is usually pretty good. He will go weeks without an issue but all of a sudden something always happens. We have a pretty steady routine and I don't know what triggers him. For example, my mother usually leaves first in the morning while I am still getting ready for work. She says goodbye to him, gives him a treat and then leaves. Then he usually stays downstairs until I come down and leave. Most of the time he is fine but sometimes I walk downstairs and find a roll of socks shredded or today he had nibbled on a sandal. They say that dogs don't know or don't remember that they did something wrong but I don't believe that. EVERY TIME he does something bad he acts like it. Before I even see the sock or sandal or shredded paper (so it can't be a reaction to my body language) he sulks his head, acts very submissive, and doesn't get up to follow me (as he ALWAYS does when someone walks past him.)
In any event, is there any way (besides more exercise) that I can curb this behavior? Besides the damage to the house and possessions, I am worried for his safety and potential vet bills.
Whenever we leave the house we leave him gated in a decent sized kitchen (where his crate is) because he can't be trusted not to get into trouble and I don't want to pay a $3000 vet bill. We have to put up folding chairs blocking just about every wall, counter, and the table because if we don't he grabs stuff off and shreds it. He has clawed the walls since he was a puppy so I have tape covering the spots so the drywall doesn't crumble any further. If I leave it unblocked, he will usually pull the tape off the wall but won't do any further digging (at least the last 2 times I tried to leave the chairs down.)
As for around the house when we are home he is usually pretty good. He will go weeks without an issue but all of a sudden something always happens. We have a pretty steady routine and I don't know what triggers him. For example, my mother usually leaves first in the morning while I am still getting ready for work. She says goodbye to him, gives him a treat and then leaves. Then he usually stays downstairs until I come down and leave. Most of the time he is fine but sometimes I walk downstairs and find a roll of socks shredded or today he had nibbled on a sandal. They say that dogs don't know or don't remember that they did something wrong but I don't believe that. EVERY TIME he does something bad he acts like it. Before I even see the sock or sandal or shredded paper (so it can't be a reaction to my body language) he sulks his head, acts very submissive, and doesn't get up to follow me (as he ALWAYS does when someone walks past him.)
In any event, is there any way (besides more exercise) that I can curb this behavior? Besides the damage to the house and possessions, I am worried for his safety and potential vet bills.