In case you haven't seen it yet, someone else linked it
You should get him some treat puzzles like this if he already likes scooping his food out. It makes them work a little harder for their food, and it’s good stimulation for them.
I struggled constantly for the first 3 weeks and now it's just occasional. It's a process - you both need to get to know each other and you will, it just takes a little time. So take it one day at a time and even though it doesn't feel like it now - soon enough it will be one month and you will be doing better.
Some of the things that we learnt along the way - Enforced naps in the crate, bully sticks, feeding meals in puzzle toys/kongs and being able to take her out helped a lot. We also took out all our pillows, curtains from the living room because we were tired of keeping her away from it.
Here's the toy we got to prolong her meals and tire her out - https://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-Lot-Interactive-Small/dp/B003YHB8EI/ref=asc_df_B003YHB8EI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076665015&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7113458409114245374&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032166&hvtargid=pla-355307834068&psc=1
But what really helped me personally is the little things - Just realizing that she's a baby and that she has accepted us and our home as her own - made a lot of difference :)
You will get there!
I can say from experience training many dogs in my lifetime; a bored puppy is a destructive puppy.
Dogs need stimulation both physical exercise and mental. Walking daily may be out of the question due to world events but I’d recommend getting some puppy puzzles like this one.
Plenty of toys to chew especially during teething periods are also fantastic. If you find your puppy going for cables then get toys that have similar thickness to it for familiarity.
Try redirecting. I put a bit of white vinegar in places my puppy tries to nibble stuff. It works pretty well, you might have to respray every couple of days. I got some harder toys for my puppy to chew on and that helped a lot!
Toy suggestion This one is like fake wood and it kind of crumbles off it’s safe and not like a nylabone. It really worked for my puppy and she was an aggressive chewer.
You can't really go wrong, but I'd start more on the intermediate side. This one from Amazon is great; our mini pood solved it in about 15 minutes. He loves it.
We got our Mal a puzzle. It has three types of compartments to unlock and you can put a treat in it. It’s really engaging. At first he was bad at it, but now he’s really good at sniffing out the correct compartments for his treat and unlocking it the right way.
This is what we gave. It’s a good toy.
We used this wood toy and my puppy loved it! I think it’s texture or flavor is super similar to wood so she would just bite on this instead of everything else.
Wood toy: Petstages Dog Chew Toys – Safe and Long Lasting Chewable Sticks - Tough Alternative Chewing Sticks for Dogs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R1BN56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKSAHMDRG3FRHVRRCSAD
A good chew toy I got for my puppy is this wood toy it lasts a long time and if your dog loves sticks try this. Yak cheese is also really good because it has flavor and takes a while to chew through. Microwave it for like 10 seconds to get the scent going and he’ll go crazy.
Aww nothing worse than waking up to animal vomit! My puppy, now 2 years old, was such a chewer... chewed through many computer cords, bottom of our dresser, socks and underwear, corner of baseboards, rails under our bed. She did eventually grow out of it, we did exactly what you are planning to do scolded her as we saw it happening and tried keeping everything out of her reach. I also ordered a ton of chew toys until we figured out what she liked -- check out amazon, I found their prices way better than the pet store. My pup loves this one https://www.amazon.com/Benebone-Bacon-Flavored-Wishbone-Chew/dp/B00CPDWT2M/ . She sleeps in our bedroom at night, no crate, and we close the door so she isn't out getting into trouble. Seemed like if she had gotten plenty of play time before bed she slept through the night and didn't chew on our furniture :) Only time we have issues now, which is really rare, is if she is bored and doesn't have a bone to chew on. Good luck!!!!!
Obviously Kong was where we started. We moved to the kibble balls, the balls that dispense kibble if rolled a certain way. We recently went away from kibble and moved to raw so we’ve been putting a few small training treats in the kibble ball. The one we have is cylinder shaped, rather than ball shaped That turned dinner time into a job.
We’ve since started buying random puzzles on Amazon. Here’s a few we like. You do have to monitor them to make sure they don’t brute force their way through the puzzle.
https://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Interactive-Specially-Designed-Training/dp/B0038WP1YC
A valid concern. They are likely prone to sleep upwards of 15 hours a day so of they're awake and alone while you're at work, that's totally an appropriate use for toys. The best tool I've seen for that is little springs/coils like this since they're lightweight and zip around the room when they bat at them. Not dissimilar to seeing how a cat goes after a mouse that has the misfortune of creeping into the house. So it's also good exercise that feeds into their natural instincts. Just be ready to have to regularly fish them out from under the couch.
This is similar to the Fable Pet Dispenser. My pup has one and loves it for treats. It’s half the price. The large size holds up to 3 cups of dry food.
For the kongs, if she isn’t lactose intolerant, I put plain yogurt with blueberries and freeze them. This wood toy which is durable and it really keeps their attention because I think it tastes like sticks. Highly recommend that toy. They also have these puzzle toys on Amazon where you can put treats in them and they have to figure out how to open flaps and such to get to the treats.
I used this toy for my puppy while she was teething or when she’s bitey in general. If you want something to redirect him with or something for him to really naw at when he’s bitey I would highly recommend it. It really saved my fingers and now when my puppy is bitey she chews on that instead of me.
We have 3 other puppies in the neighborhood that she played with since she was young. It really softened her bite since they learn to how to bite softly with each other. It also helped because it would tire her out like crazy. We have this wood toy this is probably the best toy I’ve gotten for a teething puppy. I have recommended it to so many people because dogs love this toy a lot. Highly recommend you try it because it really helped my dog redirect her itchy teeth from me to this toy!
SO and I keep our pup in an open area and just keep tabs on him, which inevitably results in a lot of us saying "stop chewing on the chair, stop chewing on the plant." So I feel you there.
If we need time where we can't watch him constantly (folding laundry, for example) we'll put him in his enclosed space, usually with something to chew on. Sometimes he barks at us or lays on top of the couch and stares at us like, "uh, guys? You forgot to let me out..." It's definitely not his favorite but sometimes it's necessary. If we really need him to be occupied we give him a bully stick; we might as well not exist when he has one of those.
As for toys, my dog loves his frizbee, his Chuck-it! ball (we can't give him regular tennis balls because he eats the fuzz off, but the Chuck it balls are pretty sturdy), and rope toys, which he can only have if we're around. Currently we have a Flossy rope toy and the Kong Tugga Wubba. He also has a few rubber chewy bones, which have held up to his chewing so far. Amazon seems to have better prices for toys than anywhere else I've found. The Flossy rope toy is huge and it cost me like $3, I think?
Another thing that keeps him occupied is a wobbling food dispenser, which another poster suggested and I also highly recommend. It makes dinner time a little more interesting for him and lets you do your own thing for a bit. We have one of these. You can adjust how difficult it is by adjusting the two openings in the toy.
Do you rotate toys out? If I introduce a new toy I always put one away and don't bring it out again for a few weeks; he goes nuts for ones he hasn't had in awhile.
Read the amazon reviews on that. It seems like it makes people's dogs sick and they don't last long.
Try filling these with dog safe food: https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Classic-Dog-Toy-Large/dp/B0002AR0I8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1475016401&sr=1-1&keywords=kong
You can stick those in the freezer and they'll sit there licking and working on it for a good while.
They sell these sticks at pet stores near me in the US. They are made of compressed wood pulp so your dog won't get splinters, but they are also super strong. They are perfect chew toy for the dog that destroys everything. Here is a link to one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R1BN56/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_T50Iyb6G4KX6A
Awesome, just bought one. For those interested, you can't purchase from their website, get them here (Amazon prime).
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YHB8EI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_Hz8CFbYJ2CPY3
This is the one I have for my dog and I just use small training treats and she loves it!
sure do!
I use these two:
The all for paws is easier on the cats, and easier to clean.
The 5 in one is great, but a pain for cleaning. You can use all 5 puzzles with wet food, although I wouldnt bother with wet food in the tunnel, the cleaning wouldn't be worth the effort. Keep in mind the bowls are pretty hard for cats who aren't used to using their paws, so I'd start with the tunnel end (squish food into all the holes) and work your way down. They should learn to use their paws on the two middle puzzles, setting them up to understand the fishbowls :)
I have a 5 year old so I’ll try to answer some of these. Someone once told me Goldens take a couple of years to grow up. Don’t worry they really do grow up and will be the most loyal dog you’ve ever had!
Yes this is pretty normal behaviour. Golden love stealing things. Mine will take your shoe but won’t chew it up or anything. Try to take said naughty item from her, say “NO” firmly. Then replace with a toy. Sounds like she is teething? Get some Kong chew toys and put peanut butter in them.
Mine still does this, we have some low tables where she can just stretch her neck out. She doesn’t jump up anymore but if there is something delicious to take she will.
Mine doesn’t like water either. She will play with her doggo friends in the mud though
Not sure. Mine sulks a bit if I kick her off the “good” couch but not for long.
I’m not a dog trainer but I would suggest some getting professional dog trainer help. Sounds like she is displaying pretty normal puppy habits though. I agree about day care as well. Also try Kong treat dispenser toys eg Kong wobbler will keep her busy for a bit.
Elevated food & water bowls!!!! Especially if your pup is a large breed. We actually just use a plant stand and put her slow feeder in it, but anything works. Speaking of bowls, slow feeder bowls are awesome! Even if your dog doesn’t scarf down their food, it gives them some mental stimulation.
The pills that are just for fleas & ticks are great, but we have found that it is easiest to get the monthly pills (you can get more than one at a time) from the veterinarian that protects against heartworms, fleas & intestinal worms all in one.
Try to stay away from rawhide chews. Some dogs do fine with them, but many dogs swallow bits that are too big, and they can’t digest them so it causes stomach pains & complications. Bully sticks are a GREAT crunchy chewy alternative.
My dog LOVES the chewy toys like this and the antler versions. She doesn’t like tough chewer toys much because she can’t ever wear it down like this.
My cairn turned his into a pile of shredded fuzz in about a week :(
His favorite hobbies are unstuffing stuffed toys, and peeling tennis balls.
We use this quite often too: Kong Wobbler http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Wobbler-Treat-Dispensing-Large/dp/B003ALMW0M
12 weeks is pretty young to be in a crate all day. He's only now getting full control over his bladder, and I don't know if you can expect him to hold it more than 3 hours or so. More than that, puppies need to romp around, so try to give him some good play time in the morning, at midday, and at night. It will be easier for him to relax in his crate if he's been tired out.
Kongs are here, rawhide bones you can find at most pet stores.
The ASPCA has some good info on crate training here.
Oh! One thing I wanted to tell you about the teething stage....the following things will be your best friend if you do not want: Chewed up sandals, chewed up rugs, chewed up table legs....etc etc ;)
Frozen green beans. And some kind of nylon chew! I personally love benebone over nylabones! Now there are some contentions about nylon bones and all that, but come on, we're all smart adults here, it's alllll about monitoring your little guy. Also, and of course, the Kong. If you don't want to spend a bajillion dollars on toys....go for Kongs and Benebones. Does my guy love decapitating his stuffed toys and ripping its innards out in under 30 secs flat? Sure. But does mommy love cleaning it up? F.No. And does she appreciate that after he's gutted it. He never has the same amount of interest in it as he did initially? And is he perfectly happy chewing on a kong filled with frozen low sodium chicken stock? Uh yes. Yes he is.
Last year my Mother-in-law got my husband a stuffed Mr. Bill (from SNL) because he liked it when he was a kid. It was an odd but semi-thoughtful gift (at least she remembered he liked something I guess) and then it was discovered that it squeaked. I looked at the tag and realized it was a dog toy, and that just took it to another level of wtf.
So, dog toys that "made me think of you!"
They come in all kinds now, so you can easily get something subtle that seems like a plushy or something at first glance until they notice that the fabric is a bit rough or it has a squeaker. A stress ball with an odd pocket in it that, oh, turns out is a treat dispenser.
Conversely, if they have a dog, there's a Kong toy that you can fill with peanut butter or something, it's ultra durable and will never die. It also happens to look suspiciously like a very large butt plug, and it can lead to mild embarassment any time it's left out and visitors come by. (I mean, it's definitely NOT one and there's no flared base or anything so people who actually know about them won't confuse it with one, but people who are aware of them but not interested can definitely make the mistake and it's just an awkward thing to have lying around.)
Puppy classes for socialization were great. Our Button loved playing with other dogs, and she has great play etiquette now. She understands when dogs will and won't play.
It's important to teach your dog to not chew but also remember your puppy is teething. Moose has a biological need to chew. If you have appropriate chew toys around Moose is less likely to chew you and furniture. With that in mind, texture matters. Sometimes softer chews like rope or rubber are satisfying, other times something more firm is the move. There are mixed reviews on the Nylabone here, but it's hard for me to state how much Button has chewed on this one. It's part of her bedtime routine. Moose isn't ready for something like that until the puppy teeth are gone. I guess the main thing I'm trying to say is try to have some empathy for the biting. That's Moose saying yo, my teeth hurt, help me out.
On the topic of training pads, we never used them. Button was raised with access to grass as a puppy, and she only wanted to go on grass. We decided it would be best to not disrupt those instincts and try to train her to go inside. Going out every 90-120 minutes really helps build good habits.