Roy is ruining my house ... any ideas

[DanL]

Yeah, I experienced that when we went to OB classes. By the way, besides the basic ob classes, what other classes can I take him to ? I mean what can he learn or be trained to do besides basic commands given that I am going not to into competitions ?

Right now we're doing a CGC class. It's not real strict or structured though, but it's great for getting him used to being around other larger dogs and strange people. We have a 2 year old lab, a 1 year old Komondor, and a couple 2 year old cockers in the class with us, along with a demo dog the trainers bring, usually an Aussie or a femae GSD. Gunnar is the youngest one. The class is in a hospital for the chronicly ill and there is a ton of activity going on. Our trainers do therapy dog work there and the place lets us use one of their rooms for training. The trainers really like Gunnar's demeanor around the residents and they are sorta pushing us to do TD work. He can't pass his TD test until he's a year, so for now we'll work on the CGC cert and go from there. I still think Gunnar would prefer something more athletic but we'll see.

You could try a CGC class, or beginners agility or AKC obedience. It doesn't have to be competitive, and it doesn't necessarily have to be new skills for Roy. Being able to apply skills he already knows at home in a place with a high level of distraction is important, and anything you do outside of the house will be great for helping Roy develop into a well rounded GSD. For example, the CGC class, Gunnar can already pass all of the OB tests. We're working on the being around strange dogs part, as that is what his weak area is. He's performing skills that he can do at the drop of a hat at home with the distraction of a 120lb giant white furball 10' away from him, and an adult lab who barks at everything. If he can get past that, he's well on his way.

 

[EliNHunter]

Color me crazy... but what I would try and do is let him have free roam of the house. He sounds like he doesn't like to be confined. When I got Eli as a pup, I tried the crating thing. Only to find out how miserable he was and that he was actually a good pup when let out. I mark it up to how smart he was. Which I'll bet your GSD is. But I also spent ALL my time with him. Teaching him, etc. I'll never forget the time I came home to my apt. one day when he was still a little baby... maybe only 12 weeks old. I had given him the kitchen and front hallway as his space (using baby gates, etc.). He had somehow gotten out of that space and made his way up the spiral staircase to the loft bedroom. I come home calling his name fearing for the worst when I saw him not in his contained area. I go up the stairs and he comes out of my closet all sleepy-headed after having sleeping in my shoes all day! he didn't even chew anything! He'd gone upstairs and was not able to come back down (spiral staircase!) and just slept and didn't destroy. I may be lucky, but it's worth a shot to see what your dog may do if given free reign...

Here's a pic of my baby Eli during this time:

 

[JR0579]

Color me crazy... but what I would try and do is let him have free roam of the house. He sounds like he doesn't like to be confined. When I got Eli as a pup, I tried the crating thing. Only to find out how miserable he was and that he was actually a good pup when let out. I mark it up to how smart he was. Which I'll bet your GSD is. But I also spent ALL my time with him. Teaching him, etc. I'll never forget the time I came home to my apt. one day when he was still a little baby... maybe only 12 weeks old. I had given him the kitchen and front hallway as his space (using baby gates, etc.). He had somehow gotten out of that space and made his way up the spiral staircase to the loft bedroom. I come home calling his name fearing for the worst when I saw him not in his contained area. I go up the stairs and he comes out of my closet all sleepy-headed after having sleeping in my shoes all day! he didn't even chew anything! He'd gone upstairs and was not able to come back down (spiral staircase!) and just slept and didn't destroy. I may be lucky, but it's worth a shot to see what your dog may do if given free reign...

Here's a pic of my baby Eli during this time:

Eli is sooooo cute. Thanks for the advice. When I am home, Roy has free roam of the house except the second floor [ the bedrooms ]. He doesn't destory anything or chew on something that isn't his. That's when I am home. When I am away, it's a different story. I think it's boredom more than anything else. Yes he's very intelligent but also highly energetic. He's from a working / show lines. I guess I have to keep him busy all the time and that's what I am trying to figure out how to do when I am away

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Most of the time when dogs chew when you are away it's not due to boredom. It's due to anxiety or stress.

Most of this destructive chewing happens within the first hour after you leave. Then the dog's stress is relieved, and usually they will lie down and go to sleep.

The KEY is not allowing the dog any opportunity to relieve his stress in this manner. If the dog is properly confined with an appropriate indestructible chew toy, then he cannot ever learn how to destroy your things to relieve his stress when you leave. He learns to release his stress on the toy he has available to him.

When dogs chew destructively to relieve stress, it is very rewarding to them. It feels GOOD to rip and chew and shred to make his stress go away. This is what is called a "self rewarding behavior". This means that because it makes the dog feel GOOD to do it, each time he does it, he is more likely to seek out and perform this behavior again. So each time you allow it to occur, the behavior is more deeply ingrained, and more likely to happen again. The dog is essentially training himself to behave this way when you leave. Quite effectively.

Prevent it.

 

[Fran27]

Honestly, it's not a big deal if a dog has to be crated while the owners are away, most of the time they just sleep anyway.

After that, I think it just depends on the dog. Mine are allowed to be in the kitchen, the corridor and the computer room while we are away now, but we're very rarely out more than 3 hours at a time, and they entertain each other. We could leave them access to the living room also probably but the door is in there and it's just more practical for us not to have the dogs with us as soon as we get home. They were both reliable in the house at 6-7 months, BUT I don't work, so I'm sure it makes a huge difference.