Bad chewing, in the crate.

[melissawow]

I'm posting this to get advice for my friend (I'm hoping she'll join!).

She has a 9mo puppy. Daisy is a hound mix, 50lbs. She is an extreme chewer. They're doing all the right things - keeping things out of reach, working with an in-house trainer (weekly), plenty of exercise, dedicated chew time with special toys. They've noticed a drop in around the house chewing, which is good. My friend is a SAHM (as am I), so Daisy is never in her crate more than a few hours at a time and spends (much) more time out of the crate than in.

But, she will spontaneously chew her crate bedding - she's at the hospital right now being observed for eating a 5" x 10" piece of her bed - fuzzy fabric and foam. She has previously chewed both beds with sides/pillows and a flat pad (I don't think she'd eaten significant pieces, more like ripped up). She had been using this bed (fairly flat with rolled edge) with no issues for 3ish months. We both thought she was still doing other puppy chewing, but was past the bedding issue. Today's chewing happened while she was in the crate for 40 minutes; it was a time she would normally be napping so she didn't have her antler or Kong with her (she usually doesn't want them that time of morning).

Do you have any advice about what to do, and/or what to do as far as bedding? She really doesn't want her just on the plastic, but there's nothing she's tried that hasn't been chewed in the past.

TIA!

[Terry]

She needs to put no bedding in the crate for one. I know that sounds mean, but it isn't. Sounds like she is doing everything right. It's like me and Daisy with the socks. Luckily, she doesn't chew anything else.

[mezmerelda]

Indy went through this phase when she was young. We just put her in with no bedding until she got over it. We always put something for her to chew in there with her, too, even if it was nap time. Partially because it made her happy to have it, and so she'd be happy to chew what we gave her. She outgrew the issue and she has bedding now.

[Ericka]

I agree with the others. In addition, they might consider testing her gut bacteria levels and doing a pancreatitis test. Sometimes an upset stomach will result in chronic chewing and eating of non-food stuff.

[SapheraGirl]

I agree with no bedding. However, if they are adamant bedding is necessary there is a bed that is pretty durable from Duluth Trading.


http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/...cessor=content

[ALDOGMOM]

I also say no bedding in the crate until hopefully she outgrows this behavior...

I'd rather have her be uncomfortable for a few hours than be uncomfortable for a few weeks following abdominal surgery.

[melissawow]

Thanks! She is feeling much better about the no bedding now that she has feedback from all of you (and the vet). They were able to get a lot out by inducing vomitting, so no surgery. I'll mention the testing to her too!

[Disapyr]

I have a dog at home that is 4 yo. He's a mixed breed of about 65 pounds and he always have been a chewer of the bedding in his kennel. The other day he got a piece of the plastic tray off. I have to leave him without a tray in his wired kennel. I hope your friend's dog won't ever be as bad as mine. When it come to safety a little bit of laying on the ground won't hurt much.

[SapheraGirl]

The other thing that would work (if the kennel is outside) is hay/grass. Dogs love it; it's warm, edible and comfy.

[howsefrau32]

sorry to reply so late, I just joined yesterday. Greta could not have anything in her crate until about 1 1/2, she ate every bed, blanket, pillow, whatever. Lucky for me, she just shredded it and didn't eat it, but I'd wait a few months, think she was probably ok now and put a new blanket in there, or a bed, she'd eat it. She is now going to be 2 next month, and just within the past 6 months (maybe less) I am able to leave a blanket in there for her and she doesn't eat it. They just have to mature. I also have to make sure and leave her kong in there with her, every time, I think that helps.