Advice about my dog please. - Advice

power ranger · 22-06-2006, 11:34

I have a rottweiler pup, nearly 6 months old. He's lovely. He's very affectionate and does mostly everything that he's told,however, he eats absolutely everything. When i say everything that's exactly what i mean. He eats soap, plastic, wood, paper, rubber, cd's, dvd's, slugs, wasps, grass, hedge clippings, carrier bags, shoes, slippers, anything he can get hold of, he eats. He's currently chewing through my garden fence, and he swallows everything he eats. When i clean up his toilet, there's everything in it (don't mean to be disgusting) splinters of wood, plastic, everything he can't digest. He's never sick. He must have an iron stomach. He's fed plenty, has lots of things of his own to chew, loads of toys to play with, and the family spend plenty time playing with him, so why is he doing this???
I have another rotti who's 7 yr old, they play together all the time. The only thing i can remember him eating when he was a pup was the artex off my walls, but he stopped when told off. This little minx just won't take a telling, he's even tried eating my carpet upstairs, however, he did stop when he was told off. I'm scared he's gonna eat his way out the garden, I've got visions of my whole fence falling down at some point, and it's a thick fence, he's actually chewing the thick posts. I've thought about putting a muzzle on him, but that would have to be the VERY last resort cause i don't like them and it makes them look fierce, which they are'nt. The only thing he's chewed when left alone is newspapers and tiolet roll-he looked like the andrex puppy one morning.
All advice welcome, cause i really don't know what the answer is.....

larrysrabbit · 22-06-2006, 11:36

You would be better off putting this thread in the Advice section.

Mort Rainey · 22-06-2006, 11:37

My dogs were quite bad at this when they were small, but they did grow out of it.

I would suggest only putting a muzzle on him when you catch him chewing something. Leave it on for 10 minutes and repeat the process every time you catch him. He is only a pup, chances are he'll grow out of it anyway, but it may help in the short term.

power ranger · 22-06-2006, 11:39

Thank you for that. Sorry if i put this thread in the wrong place, it's the first one i've done, thought it was okay to put under general discussion...

Mort Rainey · 22-06-2006, 11:42

The advice forum is a bit slower than this one though. If you want quick advice best not post over there!

larrysrabbit · 22-06-2006, 11:43

it doesn't matter - it's just that some members get really narky about people putting advice threads on this section. Nitpickers!

22-06-2006, 11:43

i would advise the old water pistol method.

spray him on the muzzle from a distance if you can- i figure its best he does not see you doing it to him....he might interpret it as a game, or worse....become fearful of you.

so maybe try that.

the other method might be to say NOOOO in the big voice(not shouting) and then physically pick him up and deport him to another place. then give him something that he regularly plays with.

he might be bored and needs some mental stimulation.

has he seen a vet? maybe he has itchy gums or something??

very dangerous for them to eat all those things you mentioned. they can become lodged in his intestines....and cause damage....such damage only being known at a later date!

Mort Rainey · 22-06-2006, 11:44

Yeah, they're the forum members who split hairs at the hair splitting factory for a living!

power ranger · 22-06-2006, 12:07

Thanks guys.
He has a 6mth check-up in the next couple of wks so i'll see what vet says then, and until then i think i'll try the water pistol cause i have tried removing him and that doesn't work. Cheers everyone.xx

PamelaL · 22-06-2006, 12:09

power ranger, does he have someone at home with him during the day? If not he's probably doing it because he's really bored.

CovertFoofle · 22-06-2006, 12:10

Also try a bottle filled with pebbles and shake it while saying 'no'. He won't like the noise, and soon will associate the word with the noise and stop when he hears 'no' on its own.

power ranger · 22-06-2006, 12:24

For PamelaL - There's nearly always someone in the house with him.
He's left for 10 mins in the morning while i take kids to nursery, and about 20 mins in the afternoon when my OH takes me to work. Then my daughter is in and she doesn't go out til i come home cause OH goes to bed(nightshift). He's only left a long time if the family goes out at wk/ends, and 9 times out of 10 my daughter is home with her friends. So really they don't spend a lot of time on their own, and he chews when i'm only out for 10 mins. To me it seems like he's bored. He's like a kid- doing things to get attention, but he gets lots of attention. I've got twin 4yr olds who adore him and give him lots of attention and he sleeps in my daughters room, but then he steals her make-up and brushes. You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, it's like have 3 tots instead of 2......

PamelaL · 22-06-2006, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by power ranger

For PamelaL - There's nearly always someone in the house with him.
He's left for 10 mins in the morning while i take kids to nursery, and about 20 mins in the afternoon when my OH takes me to work. Then my daughter is in and she doesn't go out til i come home cause OH goes to bed(nightshift). He's only left a long time if the family goes out at wk/ends, and 9 times out of 10 my daughter is home with her friends. So really they don't spend a lot of time on their own, and he chews when i'm only out for 10 mins. To me it seems like he's bored. He's like a kid- doing things to get attention, but he gets lots of attention. I've got twin 4yr olds who adore him and give him lots of attention and he sleeps in my daughters room, but then he steals her make-up and brushes. You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, it's like have 3 tots instead of 2......

LOL

It's true that a puppy is for life and not just for Christmas I suppose. He must be bloody gorgeous though, I love rottweilers they are beautiful dogs.

power ranger · 22-06-2006, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamelaL

LOL

It's true that a puppy is for life and not just for Christmas I suppose. He must be bloody gorgeous though, I love rottweilers they are beautiful dogs.

He is absolutely gorgeous, so is my other one. We had a bitch and a dog but she died in January and we had the chance to get another one so now we have 2 dogs. They get on pretty good- just now, i think once the pup gets a bit older my other dog will have to put him in his place- show him who's boss you know.

Caramels · 22-06-2006, 12:55

Some breeds of dog 'chew' more than others; he is but a pup and he will grow out of it. Just make sure he has some large, strong, solid, rubber toys of his own that he can chew; although he'll probably still have a go at other things as well.

This story has a happy ending, or I wouldn't tell it. I remember on one of those pet/vet TV programmes a bull terrier had eaten a childs' small sand spade. The vet needed to operate to remove it from his stomach; they showed the green mangled spade after they had cleaned it up and goodness knows how he managed to swallow it. Fortunately he was none the worse for his experience.

My dog only chews his toys, but when my back is turned, he will eat yogurt lids or cake cases from the bin, if there is but a crumb of food on them.

neoconned10 · 22-06-2006, 12:59

My dog had a muzzle when she was a pup. One day we woke to find she had managed to somehow pull off the muzzle and chewed it so bad its only fit purpose was the bin.

She never chewed anything after that. It was like she was telling us she wouldn't chew something she wasn't supposed to again.

Purity · 22-06-2006, 13:02

He sounds like a right little toad, but I bet he's absolutely gorgeous!

22-06-2006, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purity

He sounds like a right little toad, but I bet he's absolutely gorgeous!

as you broached the subject of looks along with other psoters....i reckon the OP owes us a pic or two of this naughty rascal....

cmon OP, have a heart and lets see....

Uncle Fester · 22-06-2006, 13:16

I would suggest you get it sorted quickly as that breed of dog can be quite dangerous even to your own family if you are not in complete control , sentiment must not come in to it

unclemadge · 22-06-2006, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by power ranger

I have a rottweiler pup, nearly 6 months old. He's lovely. He's very affectionate and does mostly everything that he's told,however, he eats absolutely everything. When i say everything that's exactly what i mean. He eats soap, plastic, wood, paper, rubber, cd's, dvd's, slugs, wasps, grass, hedge clippings, carrier bags, shoes, slippers, anything he can get hold of, he eats....

You should start properly training a Rottweiler at about 6 months old as they are beginning to develop from a puppy into a young dog. Try loudly snapping your fingers with a quick downward motion of your arm and shout "drop it" everytime he tries to eat something, and if he doesn't, firmly grasp under his neck and prise his mouth open with your fingers and remove the offending item. Also keep him on a leash and firmly tug it "accross" your body when he tries to eat things outdoors (and shout "drop it" while snapping your fingers)
The finger snapping works with all commands, eg. heel, sit, wait, lie down, roll over, etc and Rottys respond well to it.
They are very intelligent dogs and respond well to voice commands, especially the tone of your voice. My puppydog is 4yrs now and she still chews at things when we're out, but usually it's massive tree trunks, huge boulders or large truck tyres! I let her play but when she gets too silly I just snap my fingers and shout "Leave it" ..... and she does

http://xbones.photos.gb.net/p28546145.html

Keep an eye on your dog at all times, never leave him alone and never lock him out (or in) as a punishment because it's the worst thing you can do. Finger snap commands and tone of voice will work every time. Good luck with your puppy - best dogs in the world!

22-06-2006, 14:20

unclemadge, your dog is beautiful. its wonderful to see a rottweiler thats not porky....she is just right.

she is rather mad isnt she? those pics made me chuckle. heaven forbid she ever discovers a timber factory.....

unclemadge · 22-06-2006, 14:40

minimum 2 - 3 hours a day vigorous exercise, running through the woods chasing rabbits or charging around in the sea with something big in her mouth! She's a big softy with a heart of gold, never barks, good with people and little kids and she has no interest in other dogs, except when she's in season (then she's a right hussy!)

TWS · 22-06-2006, 14:45

Breeds of dog aren't dangerous owners are.

Rottweilers are one of the most placid and loyal breed of dog you can get and are highly trainable and intelligent.

Yes they can do more damage if they turn on you but are less likely to bite (unless protecting family or property) than a Jack russell, yorkie or various other breeds.

He has a chewing problem no other behaviour problems stated like nipping or food agression..i can't understand your immediate dangerous dog response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Fester

I would suggest you get it sorted quickly as that breed of dog can be quite dangerous even to your own family if you are not in complete control , sentiment must not come in to it

22-06-2006, 11:34	#1
power ranger Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: fife Posts: 247	Advice about my dog please. I have a rottweiler pup, nearly 6 months old. He's lovely. He's very affectionate and does mostly everything that he's told,however, he eats absolutely everything. When i say everything that's exactly what i mean. He eats soap, plastic, wood, paper, rubber, cd's, dvd's, slugs, wasps, grass, hedge clippings, carrier bags, shoes, slippers, anything he can get hold of, he eats. He's currently chewing through my garden fence, and he swallows everything he eats. When i clean up his toilet, there's everything in it (don't mean to be disgusting) splinters of wood, plastic, everything he can't digest. He's never sick. He must have an iron stomach. He's fed plenty, has lots of things of his own to chew, loads of toys to play with, and the family spend plenty time playing with him, so why is he doing this??? I have another rotti who's 7 yr old, they play together all the time. The only thing i can remember him eating when he was a pup was the artex off my walls, but he stopped when told off. This little minx just won't take a telling, he's even tried eating my carpet upstairs, however, he did stop when he was told off. I'm scared he's gonna eat his way out the garden, I've got visions of my whole fence falling down at some point, and it's a thick fence, he's actually chewing the thick posts. I've thought about putting a muzzle on him, but that would have to be the VERY last resort cause i don't like them and it makes them look fierce, which they are'nt. The only thing he's chewed when left alone is newspapers and tiolet roll-he looked like the andrex puppy one morning. All advice welcome, cause i really don't know what the answer is.....

22-06-2006, 11:36	#2
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	You would be better off putting this thread in the Advice section.

22-06-2006, 11:37	#3
Mort Rainey Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,542	My dogs were quite bad at this when they were small, but they did grow out of it. I would suggest only putting a muzzle on him when you catch him chewing something. Leave it on for 10 minutes and repeat the process every time you catch him. He is only a pup, chances are he'll grow out of it anyway, but it may help in the short term.

22-06-2006, 11:39	#4
power ranger Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: fife Posts: 247	Thank you for that. Sorry if i put this thread in the wrong place, it's the first one i've done, thought it was okay to put under general discussion...

22-06-2006, 11:42	#5
Mort Rainey Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,542	The advice forum is a bit slower than this one though. If you want quick advice best not post over there!

22-06-2006, 11:43	#6
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	it doesn't matter - it's just that some members get really narky about people putting advice threads on this section. Nitpickers!

22-06-2006, 11:43	#7
hiringandfiring Posts: n/a	i would advise the old water pistol method. spray him on the muzzle from a distance if you can- i figure its best he does not see you doing it to him....he might interpret it as a game, or worse....become fearful of you. so maybe try that. the other method might be to say NOOOO in the big voice(not shouting) and then physically pick him up and deport him to another place. then give him something that he regularly plays with. he might be bored and needs some mental stimulation. has he seen a vet? maybe he has itchy gums or something?? very dangerous for them to eat all those things you mentioned. they can become lodged in his intestines....and cause damage....such damage only being known at a later date!

22-06-2006, 11:44	#8
Mort Rainey Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,542	Yeah, they're the forum members who split hairs at the hair splitting factory for a living!

22-06-2006, 12:07	#9
power ranger Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: fife Posts: 247	Thanks guys. He has a 6mth check-up in the next couple of wks so i'll see what vet says then, and until then i think i'll try the water pistol cause i have tried removing him and that doesn't work. Cheers everyone.xx

22-06-2006, 12:09	#10
PamelaL Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 55,230	power ranger, does he have someone at home with him during the day? If not he's probably doing it because he's really bored.

22-06-2006, 12:10	#11
CovertFoofle Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 2,893	Also try a bottle filled with pebbles and shake it while saying 'no'. He won't like the noise, and soon will associate the word with the noise and stop when he hears 'no' on its own.

22-06-2006, 12:24	#12
power ranger Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: fife Posts: 247	For PamelaL - There's nearly always someone in the house with him. He's left for 10 mins in the morning while i take kids to nursery, and about 20 mins in the afternoon when my OH takes me to work. Then my daughter is in and she doesn't go out til i come home cause OH goes to bed(nightshift). He's only left a long time if the family goes out at wk/ends, and 9 times out of 10 my daughter is home with her friends. So really they don't spend a lot of time on their own, and he chews when i'm only out for 10 mins. To me it seems like he's bored. He's like a kid- doing things to get attention, but he gets lots of attention. I've got twin 4yr olds who adore him and give him lots of attention and he sleeps in my daughters room, but then he steals her make-up and brushes. You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, it's like have 3 tots instead of 2......

22-06-2006, 12:55	#15
Caramels Banned User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,255	Some breeds of dog 'chew' more than others; he is but a pup and he will grow out of it. Just make sure he has some large, strong, solid, rubber toys of his own that he can chew; although he'll probably still have a go at other things as well. This story has a happy ending, or I wouldn't tell it. I remember on one of those pet/vet TV programmes a bull terrier had eaten a childs' small sand spade. The vet needed to operate to remove it from his stomach; they showed the green mangled spade after they had cleaned it up and goodness knows how he managed to swallow it. Fortunately he was none the worse for his experience. My dog only chews his toys, but when my back is turned, he will eat yogurt lids or cake cases from the bin, if there is but a crumb of food on them.

22-06-2006, 12:59	#16
neoconned10 Banned User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 144	My dog had a muzzle when she was a pup. One day we woke to find she had managed to somehow pull off the muzzle and chewed it so bad its only fit purpose was the bin. She never chewed anything after that. It was like she was telling us she wouldn't chew something she wasn't supposed to again.

22-06-2006, 13:02	#17
Purity Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Coast Posts: 10,452	He sounds like a right little toad, but I bet he's absolutely gorgeous!

22-06-2006, 13:16	#19
Uncle Fester Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cardiff Services: Virgin Media Posts: 9,476 Blog Entries: 2	I would suggest you get it sorted quickly as that breed of dog can be quite dangerous even to your own family if you are not in complete control , sentiment must not come in to it

22-06-2006, 14:20	#21
hiringandfiring Posts: n/a	unclemadge, your dog is beautiful. its wonderful to see a rottweiler thats not porky....she is just right. she is rather mad isnt she? those pics made me chuckle. heaven forbid she ever discovers a timber factory.....

22-06-2006, 14:40	#22
unclemadge Banned User Join Date: May 2006 Location: in my own world Posts: 196	minimum 2 - 3 hours a day vigorous exercise, running through the woods chasing rabbits or charging around in the sea with something big in her mouth! She's a big softy with a heart of gold, never barks, good with people and little kids and she has no interest in other dogs, except when she's in season (then she's a right hussy!)