26 month old tore up a pillow while I was gone all day

sonomagirl · #1 23rd January 2007, 04:51 PM

Here's the story. When she was about a year and a half we slowly started leaving her out of her crate a couple of hours at a time then we graduated to all day. This went on without incident for about 4 or 5 months then all of a sudden we come home one day and a pillow off the bed is shredded all over the floor. Back in the crate for the next couple of months or so. About three weeks ago we started leaving her out of her crate a little at a time each day and then build up to all day. I came home today and there was another bed pillow shredded all over the floor. These are the only two incidents of her chewing on anything other than a toy. She's a really good dog normally. What's going on? Adolescence? Boredom? Pent up energy? We have had a lot of rain here in Florida over the past couple of days so I have a feeling her lack of exercise did this. Should I crate her on the days when I know she hasn't had enough exercise? Any thoughts?

Escher_fan · #2 23rd January 2007, 06:27 PM

IMo it would be boredom and a excess of energy since you said she hasn't been getting as much exercise because of the recent weather.

Does she have access to the whole house while your gone or do you confine her to certain parts of the house? You could close the bedroom doors to limit her access to the pillows.

Hopefully things work out!!

SILLY6PAK · #3 23rd January 2007, 06:52 PM

Sounds like pent up energy. Maybe if you cannot give him a good outing before you leave then that would be a good time for the crate.

TRUBBLE · #4 23rd January 2007, 07:56 PM

I think boredom & pent up energy also. It seems strange that she has gone for pillows off your bed on both occassions - maybe this could be frustration? If I have to leave the two kids inside on their own I will give them toys that they dont always have access to (so they dont become boring & are almost a treat when they can play with them) and also either leave the radio or t.v. on for them. I notice that they tend to relax when there is some sort of background noise, even just the buzz of traffic when they are outside in their kennels is relaxing.

Lola's mum · #5 24th January 2007, 12:59 PM

My brothers almost 3 yr old dog Vegas had recently been trusted with the run of the whole house but the other day my brother came home and Vegas had been on his bed and chewed his whole duvet into pieces. He is an extremely well exercised dog so I don't think that is the reason.
He did chew when he was younger and as he hadn't chewed anything in the kitchen/diner for like the past year he thought he'd let him have the whole house while he was at work but what a mistake that was.
My brothers attitude was great though he just said at least it wasn't the leather suite in the lounge, back to the kitchen/diner for Vegas now

LuvMyLennox · #6 31st January 2007, 01:29 PM

Lennox is 26 months as well - and he already chewed up 4 pillows and two weeks ago through our queen size mattress!

We crate him during the day but on the weekends if we want to go out to dinner or to grab a drink I like to leave him out....I let him have access to the kitchen, living room and our bedroom (he likes to sit on the bed and look out the window). Well after all this damage I don't even trust him alone for an hour. It sucks, I hate crating him and now with it being 10 degrees we don't get to play at the park daily....So I do agree it can be lack of excersize and the fact that they are intelligent and get bored easily, but why the expensive stuff???...lol why our mattress? I feel your pain. I have no real advice, but I'm curious if anyone else does.

Good Luck

Maxxwell · #7 31st January 2007, 02:04 PM

Lucy is now 28 months old and she has shredded all of the pillows in the house (bed and decorative), she shredded the futon mattress in spare room, 3 area rugs, a bathrobe, countless bath towels from the clothesline outdoor, a brand new pair of sneakers and a tub of vaseline! When I am at work she is crated ... but if I even leave her for 1/2 hour to run to the store ... watch out. Funny part -- she has a whole box of her own blankets and squeak toys and they have not been harmed at all! Lucy is a sweetheart when she has my attention but left on her own .... And yes she gets plenty of exercise, walks, tennis ball chasing, daycare, training classes, play groups.