Chewing

by Connie Wagner
(Klamath Falls Oregon)

My 1 yr old Pyrenees is a super chewer and finding toys is a challenge but we cope. The problem is he thinks he's part beaver and has destroyed one of our apple trees! Is there any hope of him growing out of the chewing stage or stopping him from chewing on things that aren't his? I cought him chewing on the corner of the wall!! He chews wire, metal, plastic, rocks and most anything he can get his mouth around! Thankfully he doesn't chew furniture!!

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Dec 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Chewing
by: Donna

How much exercise does he get? How many games do you play with him? When you aren't around, make sure he is crated so he doesn't get into trouble but make sure he's had plenty of exercise before he gets crated.

Trade him for toys when you think he's going to start chewing. There are toys on the market that make him do a little thinking, too. If he continues after working with him on games and exercise, you may have to train him to the muzzle so he doesn't hurt himself.

Here are some games you can play:

https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2010/01/the-puppy-one-hundred-and-thirty-five/

There is also a Free Dog Training Workshop with Susan Garrett: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedogtrainingworkshop/?ref=bookmarks
Dec 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply to Donna
by: Connie

He plays hard several times a day. He prefers playing by himself or with our much older dog but he comes to us for loving a lot! We chose not to crate him because he'd spent the first 4.5 months of his life in a field with several other dogs and 300 goats, didn't have a name, never wore a collar, and had never been in a building of any kind! He's got a doggy door to a large fenced yard so he can continue to "guard" his "flock" at will. Typical of the breed he chooses when to mind us LOL
Dec 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		interesting
by: Anonymous

This is an observation, not a criticism.
Its always interesting when a human imagines that the life they choose for an animal is so much superior to the animal's own choice for themselves. Your very good intentions to give your dog an improved lifestyle seems to have left him a bit frustrated. You may have alleviated that frustration just enough that he chews on trees and not furniture or people.
So, lets think about this from what his breed profile may tell you what was so right about his former life. He wouldn't have cared less about not having had a collar or a name. For a dog that has been bred to roam, a 'large fenced yard', and 4 walls and a roof is not am improvement. The protocol of pack co-operation with other guardian dogs and a herd of 300 goats is the life he was bred to live. Play, even with other canines, is a wonderful way to blow off steam but he did that with his mates while they guarded the goats. There was in that life, an intention to his daily activities.
Now the question is how close can you, as a kind and caring human, even come close to what he would choose for himself? Can you give him a purpose? It may be helpful to consider what it is you expect him to accept in this life with you, from his own viewpoint. It is humbling to think that they do not need us (and a comfortable life) as much as we need to be able to think that he was'saved' from his own. Food for thought.
Jan 22, 2021
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starstarstar 		Update on chewing
by: Connie

Dandelion Fluff is now over 2 years old and inappropriate chewing is a thing of the past! He's a wonderful companion, very protective and so much fun with a quirky personality! He was traumatized when we had to put down our 15 year old dog but seems to be adjusting well now. We are considering a playmate for him but I'm not sure I can do another puppy! For now we'll just love and enjoy him!

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