Dog training help needed

[mid_life_crisis]

No, I don't want help teaching him to go outside to fart. Actually, if anybody knows how...

The real problem is that our Boxhead Black Lab eats pillows and blankets. Expensive pillows and blankets. He is about 6 or 7. We aren't positive as he is a rescue. We've had him for about four years now and he still does it.
He starts out licking and the licking turns to chewing and the next thing you know there's a hole in something.
Does anybody know a behavior modification technique that works when you can't actually catch him in the act? We've only busted him at it once.
If not that, has anybody tried a spray or something that doesn't smell foul to people and absolutely will not stain anything? He's used to using his doggy door when we're out (okay, we're used to not having to rush home because he has his doggy door) so we don't want to have to start crating him, but it is starting to look like that will be the only solution short of getting rid of him, which ain't happening.

[MakiSupaStar]

Distract. Replace with an acceptable activity. Praise him while he's doing this activity.

[iamlowsound]

Buy Ceaser Milan's book.

lowsound

[Cosmo420]

When dogs chew a lot of times it's because they are bored or have too much energy.

If you have time, walk him for 30-45 minutes or so before you leave for the day, then walk him again when you get home.

A tired dog is a happy dog.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Distract. Replace with an acceptable activity. Praise him while he's doing this activity.

The problem is that he doesn't play with toys. He has no interest in chasing balls or playing with chew toys. It is only recently that he started wrestling with me, and he isn't quite sure what to make of that. The chewing doesn't seem to be a case of playing turning destructive. It happens when he is relaxing. Someone else said it sounded like he was taken from his mother too early and it's a weaning issue. I would think he would have outgrown that by now, but I guess not.

[Kipaste]

So he's a rescue dog? Is he neutered? Does he wrestle or try to hump the pillows and blankets? According to a couple of vets, pillows and blankets are often destroyed as part of dominant behaviour and is relatively common with male dogs that have all the parts left. It might not be actual humping every time, sometimes the dog just tries to show the pillow that atleast the pillow is below him.

You said that the dog started wrestling with you, care to elaborate? Because if it's a case of the dog trying to dominate you, then the pillow and blanket destroying could also be a sort of rebellion, dominating something that smells like you.

Anyhow, buy books and most of all, walk the dog. A lot. 45 minutes in the morning, hour or two in the evening and try to squeeze in an hour or so of playtime too. Providing a lot of activities will quickly tell you if it's just frustration or if it's more complex than that.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Cosmo420

When dogs chew a lot of times it's because they are bored or have too much energy.

If you have time, walk him for 30-45 minutes or so before you leave for the day, then walk him again when you get home.

A tired dog is a happy dog.

This.

If you follow this advice it's about 99% likely to solve the problem.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by Kipaste

So he's a rescue dog? Is he neutered? Does he wrestle or try to hump the pillows and blankets? According to a couple of vets, pillows and blankets are often destroyed as part of dominant behaviour and is relatively common with male dogs that have all the parts left. It might not be actual humping every time, sometimes the dog just tries to show the pillow that atleast the pillow is below him.

You said that the dog started wrestling with you, care to elaborate? Because if it's a case of the dog trying to dominate you, then the pillow and blanket destroying could also be a sort of rebellion, dominating something that smells like you.

Anyhow, buy books and most of all, walk the dog. A lot. 45 minutes in the morning, hour or two in the evening and try to squeeze in an hour or so of playtime too. Providing a lot of activities will quickly tell you if it's just frustration or if it's more complex than that.

The dog is fixed and has been for as long as we have had him. The wrestling is me trying to get him to play. He doesn't do toys. He is always trying to mount our Golden Retriever, but I have never seen him try to mount anything/anyone else. Especially when the Golden starts getting playful. He does toys.

[m0nst3r]

As a few people mentioned, exercise is definitely key, and a big +1 to Ceaser Milan's book.

From my understanding of watching the Dog Whisperer, it sounds like he's exerting dominant behavior. Basically, he claimed the pillows and they are now his to do whatever he whishes. You have to reclaim the pillows, and let him know that they are yours.

Also, trying to mount your golden retriever is another sign of dominant behavior. When you watch them play, you have to dictate how rough they can play, and if you see either dog try to mount the other, you have to correct that.

[codeinedreams]

dogs naturally want to chew, so I give my dog sliced beef leg bones that I get from the butcher. it's nutritious, cleans all the junk off their teeth, and satisfies the urge to chew. if you see your dog chewing on a pillow or something else, first take it away immediately and say "No!" I taught my dog to be good in the house through a type of "crate training," where whenever she did something undesirable, I put her downstairs in the basement (which is like a big "crate" in a way) where she could mess up all she wanted. or I kept her on a leash in the house. she learned that in order to be free in the house with me, which is what she wanted, she had to behave. you have to be consistent and not give in even once. when you're not home, keep your dog outside or somewhere away from stuff you don't want him to chew on until he earns your trust.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

No, I don't want help teaching him to go outside to fart. Actually, if anybody knows how...

The real problem is that our Boxhead Black Lab eats pillows and blankets. Expensive pillows and blankets. He is about 6 or 7. We aren't positive as he is a rescue. We've had him for about four years now and he still does it.
He starts out licking and the licking turns to chewing and the next thing you know there's a hole in something.
Does anybody know a behavior modification technique that works when you can't actually catch him in the act? We've only busted him at it once.
If not that, has anybody tried a spray or something that doesn't smell foul to people and absolutely will not stain anything? He's used to using his doggy door when we're out (okay, we're used to not having to rush home because he has his doggy door) so we don't want to have to start crating him, but it is starting to look like that will be the only solution short of getting rid of him, which ain't happening.

boredom.....energetic breeds need to be worked often to tire them out....the more time you spend with your dog the less he'll chew stuff.....leaving them alone all day may be necessary,but it is not going to help alter the behavior.....if you have the right kind of yard,climate, and the dog does not bark all day,maybe a dog house would work...

[Muaguana]

Originally Posted by codeinedreams

if you see your dog chewing on a pillow or something else, first take it away immediately and say "No!" I taught my dog to be good in the house through a type of "crate training," where whenever she did something undesirable, I put her downstairs in the basement (which is like a big "crate" in a way) where she could mess up all she wanted. or I kept her on a leash in the house. she learned that in order to be free in the house with me, which is what she wanted, she had to behave. you have to be consistent and not give in even once. when you're not home, keep your dog outside or somewhere away from stuff you don't want him to chew on until he earns your trust.

+1. Improvised operant conditioning would probably be more effective in solving the long-term problem, especially if he's a rescue dog and the problem behavior is rooted in trauma. You may not have to use a crate if you've already established yourself as the Alpha and the dog knows "no" when he hears it. A possible solution for when you're away, if you don't want to keep him outside or in a crate, is to sprinkle cayenne pepper on the things he's prone to chew on. This might be impractical if you can't predict what he's going to chew next, though.

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Buy Ceaser Milan's book.

This for sure. In the meantime, look at this.

...or you could just ask a bunch of bass players how to train a dog, I guess.

[DrSmaggs]

Sounds like puppy-head needs more to do. Sounds like a bored dog that has plenty of energy to burn. Perhaps more playtime or more walking.

Give praise when he chews a toy and proper discipline when he goes for furniture or other no-nos.