Dog's chewing....

dixie_darlin · Jul 4, 2006

Apparently the underwear bandit struck again last night... Jake loves to shew up MY underwear and mine only... clean or dirty.. I don't know how he does it but he gets into my drawers even and gets them out... any tips on how to stop him? we crate him during the day while we're at work and I don't want to have to do it at night. I also don't want to walk around with bitter apple on my underwear all the time....

any tips?

arlyn · Jul 4, 2006

Definitely will not work for all dogs but....

When Bear was still of a mind to chew, he chewed up quite a few articles of clothing.
When I finally caught him at it, I scolded "Bad dog" while showing the clothing to him.
Telling him he's a bad dog is the absolute worst punishment in his eyes.

I then tied it to his collar and made him wear it for two days and he was not allowed to touch it.
Worked like a charm.

My mother did the same thing to the dog we had growing up who was fond of snacking on my sister's bras.

plebayo · Jul 4, 2006

^^ I agree with that. I've heard of people doing that with chickens if a dog has killed them... so I imagine it could work with underwear! Just be sure you catch him doing it.

dixie_darlin · Jul 4, 2006

Hmmm that's a great idea... i just might try that!

loveysmummy · Jul 4, 2006

I am going to be the lone dissenter here.
This is an antiquated and IMO, inhumane method of punishment.

Its a bit of work to teach "Leave it" or "drop it" but these commands are much more valuable than humiliating a dog for tearing up underwear that he has access to and he sees nothing wrong with (remember, he doesn't speak human)

First off, I would put my underwear elsewhere (if he can get into your drawers..) so that he is no longer tempted.
This is the most simple way of solving this problem.

Then begin teaching
"leave it" and "drop it". I don't know when he is chewing them up but obviously if he is out of your sight for a few minutes, he is probably getting into trouble. So, watch him vigilantly for awhile until he has the above two commands down.

You can teach "leave it" with his kibble or any really great treat he loves (only use this treat when you are training). Put his lead on him and put the treat on the floor. Put him into a sit and make him aware of the treat. When he goes for the treat, give an "AH!" correction immediately and put him back into a sit. At first, give him the treat automatically when he goes back into the sit (even better if he looks at you).

Keep doing this gradually but for longer periods of time. Ie, have him sit, have him down, and if he goes for the treat, give the correction. Reposition him again. He will soon learn that when he looks away from the treat or doesn't go for the treat, he will get the treat. When he has this down, start using other articles and items like his toys, the kids toys, whatever. Then use your underwear. Drill him on this a few times a day to review.

You can teach "Drop it" pretty much the same but in this case, you would give him a toy, for example, play for a bit...Then give command "DROP IT" (but when you begin, have a treat in hand and make sure he can see it!). Give him the treat as SOON AS that thing drops out of his mouth. Continue this way until he is dropping the item on a dime and listening each time.
Soon, the treats can become random and intermittent. Ie, treat him every 3rd time (this actually creates more of a serious training response than treating each time).

I train "leave it" or "drop it" when doing other training drills too (keep training drills fun and varied, especially if he's a smart dog). Don't let him get bored.

Hopefully that works for you and for him in a positive and fun way.

sharky · Jul 4, 2006

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

I am going to be the lone dissenter here.
This is an antiquated and IMO, inhumane method of punishment.

Its a bit of work to teach "Leave it" or "drop it" but these commands are much more valuable than humiliating a dog for tearing up underwear that he has access to and he sees nothing wrong with (remember, he doesn't speak human)

First off, I would put my underwear elsewhere (if he can get into your drawers..) so that he is no longer tempted.
This is the most simple way of solving this problem.

Then begin teaching
"leave it" and "drop it". I don't know when he is chewing them up but obviously if he is out of your sight for a few minutes, he is probably getting into trouble. So, watch him vigilantly for awhile until he has the above two commands down.

You can teach "leave it" with his kibble or any really great treat he loves (only use this treat when you are training). Put his lead on him and put the treat on the floor. Put him into a sit and make him aware of the treat. When he goes for the treat, give an "AH!" correction immediately and put him back into a sit. At first, give him the treat automatically when he goes back into the sit (even better if he looks at you).

Keep doing this gradually but for longer periods of time. Ie, have him sit, have him down, and if he goes for the treat, give the correction. Reposition him again. He will soon learn that when he looks away from the treat or doesn't go for the treat, he will get the treat. When he has this down, start using other articles and items like his toys, the kids toys, whatever. Then use your underwear. Drill him on this a few times a day to review.

You can teach "Drop it" pretty much the same but in this case, you would give him a toy, for example, play for a bit...Then give command "DROP IT" (but when you begin, have a treat in hand and make sure he can see it!). Give him the treat as SOON AS that thing drops out of his mouth. Continue this way until he is dropping the item on a dime and listening each time.
Soon, the treats can become random and intermittent. Ie, treat him every 3rd time (this actually creates more of a serious training response than treating each time).

I train "leave it" or "drop it" when doing other training drills too (keep training drills fun and varied, especially if he's a smart dog). Don't let him get bored.

Hopefully that works for you and for him in a positive and fun way.

I agree... thou I have only had one learn leave it ... maybe it is the type of dogs I have ... But drop it is a wonderful thing

dixie_darlin · Jul 4, 2006

The chewing mainly happens at night when we're asleep. During the day when we're at work he's in a crate because of his chewing. He knows "drop it, no, sit, stay, come, get it, roll over and sit pretty" He's very food motivated to say the least. I can put a treat on his nose and tell him "no" and he won't move, I can also put one in front of him and he wont touch it until I say "Get it Jake" so he's very well trained in that aspect. When I do catch him chewing on something I tell him "no" sternly and give him a nylabone or rawhide and he's happy. Last night I was worn out and usually make sure he's in the bed with us (thank god we have a queen size bed because of him, the cats and us all share it

) He opened my dresser drawer and chewed up 2 pairs. I usually put the dirty clothes in top of the closet but I swear him and Reilly are partners in crime and she knocks the basket down for him

I have been told that because he's a Vizsla he's very smart but yet mischevous if not constantly entertained. I don't want to crate him at night because I think thats too many hours a day that he's in a crate and it's not fair. I might have to start putting a chair or something against the drawers to detour him. Also at night I make sure he has a chew toy right before it's bed time

He only does this to MY things.. not my husband's or the kids... only MINE. Wonder why?

loveysmummy · Jul 4, 2006

Ah. Ok. I would still keep them up and out of sight and this will solve your problem more easily...

My guess is that he does it to yours because you are his primary caretaker right? He owns your scent, baby...and its most attractive to him.
It comforts him.
(also, because you are a woman...ahem...we tend to put the most intense pheromones out there for dogs....especially at that time of the month...ahem...even though some of the underwear he chews is clean, dogs smell a billion times better and its still there to him).

I had a bad underwear chewer once and yes, its a pain in the butt

dixie_darlin · Jul 4, 2006

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Ah. Ok. I would still keep them up and out of sight and this will solve your problem more easily...

My guess is that he does it to yours because you are his primary caretaker right? He owns your scent, baby...and its most attractive to him.
It comforts him.
(also, because you are a woman...ahem...we tend to put the most intense pheromones out there for dogs....especially at that time of the month...ahem...even though some of the underwear he chews is clean, dogs smell a billion times better and its still there to him).

I had a bad underwear chewer once and yes, its a pain in the butt

Actually whats funny is he's my husband's dog

(yeah, right). He's the one who feeds, waters and bathes him. And what else is funny he's chewed up brand new underwear of mine with the tags still on them!

I bought them to replace what he mauled along with a couple pair for my boys and he didn't touch the boys new undies... JUST MINE!

starryeyedtiger · Jul 4, 2006

you mentioned putting your underware in a drawer- there is a simple solution to that---go to a baby store and purchase a few child safety locks- if he can't get into the drawer, he can't chew your underware. I also second the other people who encourage you to teach the "drop it" command ---it works very well. Good luck!

Dog's chewing....

dixie_darlin

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arlyn

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