I need some serious help here.

[snowruby92]

My 7 month old Golden Retriever has a huge problem. She bites EVERYTHING in the house. I've been training her since she was 3 month old. Whenever I find her biting my BRAND NEW pairs of shoes, I put her in the crate. I'm very sad about this because yesterday, she completely ruined my $250 ipod nano, along with my BRAND NEW $50 headphones and my $10 ipod cover! So basically I lost $310 in five minutes. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by putting her in the crate whenever she's behaving wrong. Does anyone know how to fix this biting habit? PLEASE. I need some serious help

 

[squirtsmom]

Boy, goldens are notorious chewers. I am not that familiar with them, but someone here will give you ood advice. hang in there. Good vibes are sent you way.

 

[Fran27]

Keep her eye on her, and teach her the 'leave it' command.

Honestly though, Boris is the same way, but we managed to *mostly* train him not to steal anything that's above the ground. But even then, if we're not around, he might grab it. If it's on the floor, it's over, unless we keep a very close eye on him and don't mind repeating 'leave it' 20 times in one minute.

So yeah, my only advice is to leave everything out of reach.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Clip a lead onto her collar and tie the leash to your belt.

You know if she gets a chance to chew, she will. So why even give her a chance?

Don't let her out of your sight!

~Tucker

 

[sam]

The joys of owning a young Golden That's completely normal behavior and as everyone has said Goldens can be incredibly strong, destructive chewers.

Dogs are dogs and they aren't moral. Your dog has no idea that a nice shoe isn't a chew toy. She isn't trying to be "bad" and punishing this isn't going to help. Get her a toy box and when she's got something you don't want her to chew, teach her to drop it and refer her to her toy box which should be full of things that she can chew and enjoys chewing. Make it worth her while to chew HER things- play with her with her toys, reward her chewing HER toys. Make her toys really good for chewing-- stuff and freeze kongs etc

Then remember to put your shoes in the closet and put up anything else that won't survive being chewed. It will train you to be very neat!

If you don't have time to put everything up, put your dog somewhere that you've puppy proofed.

 

[Spirit2010]

at least she hasn't chewed the floor yet! But yes, keep a leash on her, so she doesn't get in trouble, and its easier to teach her. Whats a no-no, for a yes! Well, you have gotten a whole bunch of advice, my little piece might not help as much, but, I'm trying to help! Good luck!

 

[noludoru]

Sam had great advice. I wouldn't put her in her crate when she's bad, personally. It's a punishment, and she's got no idea what she's being punished for--it just gives negative associations to the crate, which should be her safe haven where she can rest and relax.

Read the sticky about getting a TOY BOX, RedyreRottweilers posted it. It will greatly help you and your new pup.

For toys that should go in the box...

tennis balls
kongs (mmm especially with food frozen on the inside, peanutbutter is a fave)
bully sticks
stuffed toys, squeaky toys, etc (supervise until you know how destructive she is with them)
branches.. in my experience, some dogs love chewing on branches. they are messy, though, and only get them from the middle of nowhere and from untreated wood (no poisons)
other types of balls
nylabones


that sort of stuff. Do some searches on here or on google to double check if things are safe.

Please, for now, pick all of your stuff off the floor. Install some cheap shelving if you need to. Anything on the floor is free game to her, and things anywhere she can reach are as well. I love the suggestion of having her on a leash--she can either be directly attached to you and under supervision or in her crate with a safe, fun toy (or several) to play with.

Make sure you're giving her enough exercise and mental stimulation... those will tire her out a lot. Training, fetch, runs around the yard (if you don't have a fenced in one, get a long lead and find a grassy area), etc.

 

[bubbatd]

I hate to say it , but my grand-golden Seger has never chewed anything that isn't his . ( he'll be 8 months the 24th ) Was a case of watching and substituting from day one . Put things out of reach . Good luck !!

 

[Danner&Daisy]

When my golden was a puppy he was great. But my lab puppies are big time chewers. Danner my older dog left me wonderful holes chewed in the carpet (all the way through to the subfloor). I still have puppy teeth marks in my coffee tables from Danner. My new lab puppy Daisy loves chewing on our wooden deck (and of course everything else she can get her teeth on)!

 

[Cheza]

We dont actually have a closet for shoes
But Cheza likes to eat them.
We got that bitter apple spray and used it on the shoes for a day or two, and now she leaves them alone.

 

[ToscasMom]

The ONLY answer is to puppy proof your house, just like you would with a precocious kid. Don't leave your IPOD where the puppy can get it. Don't leave your shoes where the puppy can get them. Put them away. The puppy doesn't know any better but you do. If you value it, keep it out of his reach. It's what has to be done.