Issues as of Late

[kellyfoss03]

Our 8 month old frenchie Nala, has quickly been becoming a handful, from the sweet puppy we once had.

We crate her at night, out of fear she will chew up our living room, but all day she is out of the crate with my mom - playing, running around etc. We give her plently of cuddles and exercise when we get home from work and give her a calming chew as well before bed. She used to go down from around 10:30 PM to 4AM, then whine that she had to go potty or whatever. Now, she barely makes it until 2, and then afterwards, we cannot put her back into the crate because she will bark uncontrollably, so guess where she winds up? Yup, in our bed til it's time for work.

I'm pretty sure she's past the teething stage but she seems to be biting a lot more (nibbles) but she is destructive with chewing objects.. (ripping her stuffed animal toys and today her bed).

What can I do? I feel exhausted, we never sleep anymore - and she's becoming destructive now.. anyone have any ideas? I have to take her for a booster tonight so I'm thinking of asking the vet if there's some sort of anti-anxiety tablet?

Any solutions that have worked for you, please let me know!

 

[Cbrugs]

She has probably figured out that if she starts barking, you will take her out of the crate and into your bed. Does she sleep through the night in your bed?

Destructive chewing could be due to boredom but some are just big chewers. My bulldog Louie who just turned 1 years old cannot have any stuffie toys as he destroys them all within minutes. He has also destroyed a couple beds and blankets.

Have you done any obedience training? If not, it might be good. Also look up the Nothing in Life is Free technique.

I am not sure if I would do any anti anxiety medications as it sounds like she is just acting her age.

 

[Frenchie Grrrl]

She is plenty old enough to be sleeping through the night. I think she has just learned that you will bring her into the bed in the middle of the night, if she fusses. It's time to put your foot down and let her fuss. I'm sure it will take a few nights, but she'll learn that you aren't going to come and get her if you remain consistent. I'd be against any anxiety meds - too many side effects. If you do think she is anxious, i'd put a shirt off yours that you've worn in her crate at night and provide her a safe chew toy.

As far as the chewing goes, I would provide her something appropriate to chew on during the day (out whenever she needs it). Gus loves Benebones and Himilayan Yak Chews (I don't leave him alone with the yak chews). He loves to chew and these give him great joy and keep him from chewing other things (mainly our back deck, lol).

As for the nipping (I'm assuming it's playful), I taught Gus the command "go get a toy" and it works way better than a "no." I mainly taught him this because the rest of my family was too lazy to get up and get a toy and follow my rule about only playing with him with a toy. It was super simple to teach, and he's always happy to get the toy because it means he'll get a little playtime.

 

[Alice Kable]

Good advice from [MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2622]Frenchie Grrrl[/MENTION]. Nylabones and Kongs for extreme chewers are both safe chew toys. It is really important not to give in and and get her out of her crate and in your bed when she starts barking. Eventually she will give up and sleep. We had many chewed up beds and finally wised up and got PRIMO CRATE PADS with tie downs. They hold up well and if they eventually get scratched up from "nesting" they can be flipped. We get 3-4 years out of these easy to clean pads!

 

[Tgirl]

Terrible teens! They sure are a handful but if you are firm and consistent this too shall pass. I would let her cry when you put her back in her crate, even though it's tough. Every time you take her out when she is crying, it teaches her to just keep crying and she will eventually be taken out.

 

[2bullymama]

Dogs like humans go through phases...toddler, terrible twos is where you are....back to basic training to put her back on track

'nothing in life is free'

 

[Honeys Owners]

Good advice from [MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2622]Frenchie Grrrl[/MENTION]. Nylabones and Kongs for extreme chewers are both safe chew toys. It is really important not to give in and and get her out of her crate and in your bed when she starts barking. Eventually she will give up and sleep. We had many chewed up beds and finally wised up and got PRIMO CRATE PADS with tie downs. They hold up well and if they eventually get scratched up from "nesting" they can be flipped. We get 3-4 years out of these easy to clean pads!

My dog also loves to chew on a hard regulation lacrosse ball. Don't get the softer youth lacrosse ball as it will be destroyed in an hour.