X post to pets, help with dog issues

This dog has destroyed 3 area rugs. I'm at a loss and don't know what to do with her anymore. She is in a crate but can move it with a lot of effort. I don't know how to deal with her when she does these kinds of things. I did not want to put her in a traditional crate God for if there is a fire or a break in. Do I have no choice ? I'm so upset right now.

She knows she did something wrong because I opened her crate to let her out and she is staying in there. She is one year now.

X post to pets. Help with dog

Message edited 11/17/2015 10:22:42 AM.

Re: X post to pets, help with dog issues

What breed of dog do you have?

If she is a mix, what mix?

ETA --- by destroyed, do you mean she urinated or pooped on the rug or do you mean she chewed it/ate it, etc??

Message edited 11/17/2015 10:34:51 AM.

X post to pets, help with dog issues

How is she destroying the rugs? What kind of crate are you using?

Re: X post to pets, help with dog issues

My Sam went through area rugs like tissues..

He would chew them when he was not feeling well (god forbid he eats grass like a normal dog!)..

He would chew them when he was bored..

He would chew them when he was anxious..

I finally just stopped buying area rugs. The pups just have to deal with the wood floors and a dog bed.

Every once and a while I think of trying again (its been about 3 years...he's 7 now).. but i know I'll loose my $hit if he eats it again!

Re: X post to pets, help with dog issues

Beagle mix (25 lbs) and She eats the area rugs. She is a year old and this puppy pen doesn't have a bottom, she can move it when she really wants to. She sleeps in her crate at night. The only time she is in during the day is if we are both out (very rare during the week). Today I left tv on and was gone at most 30 minutes.

X post to pets, help with dog issues

I would try using a regular crate with a bottom, especially since it is not often. Is there a reason you are not using a regular crate? Except for my current dog, crate training was always very successful for me.

I can tell you my dog could not be crated (severe anxiety to the point where he would hurt himself in the crate) so after sometime, we began leaving him out in the house by himself. He would chew certain types of things - eyeglasses, tv remotes and pens. He would not touch anything else - no shoes, no furniture etc. But he eventually stopped chewing anything (for the most part) and now we leave him unattended and he is fine. Not sure if chewing the rugs is something your dog will grow out of, but if you're not willing to find out (and I do understand that), then I would use a regular crate.

ETA: we also wound up putting in a doggie door, so he can go in and out as he pleases. That seemed to help a lot with his anxiety

Message edited 11/17/2015 12:43:50 PM.

Re: X post to pets, help with dog issues

It seems like she is doing it out of spite -- some dogs need a lot of exercise or walking daily or some type of "job". Working dogs like the pull or hunt... Retrievers like fetch. I know that beagles enjoy a lot of attention. If that is the case, to make your life easier, crate her when you are gone. Since you are not gone often, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Also, since you crate her at night she is used to it.

I crate my dog (in a regular metal crate with a plastic bottom) when I am not in the house because she is VERY little and therefore, has a very small bladder. She wants to hold her pee and 99% of the time, she does, but from time to time she cannot. Being in the crate helps her hold it because there is nowhere to go. And, worst case, if she does -- it's a plastic bottom. I just wipe it and then she isn't upset because she doesn't feel like she's in trouble.

I think a combo of doing that and making sure she gets plenty of walks, going out, and stimulation / attention -- you should be good.

Message edited 11/17/2015 12:46:42 PM.