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My GSD Biff Tala has been just about the perfect pup since I brought her home at 9 weeks old. She never chewed anything much, except her toys. She had her 1 year birthday last week.
Last night, to my surprise she chewed up a headset for my sons X Box. From her posture I knew, she knew she did something wrong. The X box controllers and headset have always been left out and she never paid any attention to them. I just don't understand her behavior. Well I had a talk with her and my son. LOL
Now he is to put everything away when he is finished, so that problem is solved. But I just wonder why she did this.

My best guess is boredom. Has she had any new toys lately? We keep about a dozen toys and rotate them so she always has three, but when she gets one she hasn't had in a while, it's like a new toy to her. She may have decided her toys weren't entertaining her anymore, so she picked something new. Does she have a nylabone or a buddah bone? These are great because they last a long time. She probably just needs more entertainment. Another good product is a food ball, they roll and bounce it around trying to get food out, this would keep Cookie occupied for hours if we let her!

Since I used to work for Dogs Outfitter, she has all of the above. Plus a real live toy (my one and a half year old Maine Coon Cat). They love each other and play for hours. That and my son and fiance are both disabled and home with her all day. This is why I'm so confused as to why this just happened out of the blue. :^( Maybe just the smell of the ear piece or something.

>>My GSD Biff Tala has been just about the perfect pup since I brought her home at 9 weeks old. She never chewed anything much, except her toys. She had her 1 year birthday last week.
>>Last night, to my surprise she chewed up a headset for my sons X Box. From her posture I knew, she knew she did something wrong. The X box controllers and headset have always been left out and she never paid any attention to them. I just don't understand her behavior. Well I had a talk with her and my son. LOL
>>Now he is to put everything away when he is finished, so that problem is solved. But I just wonder why she did this.

>>>>>>>>>>

Two reasons. She was attracted to the scent of people she loved on the items and she is in the life stage of setting her permanent teeth in the jaw. Here's an article that may help:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1517&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

That is a very interesting, well written article. But alas I didn't find anything there to explain this sudden behavior change. But since the incident with the head set, Biff has also chewed my sons sneakers, not to distruction but just enough for us to notice. I'm leaning toward him doing something that annoyed her. I may never figure it out but the cure seems simple enough now. Just put everything away that may tempt her.

>>That is a very interesting, well written article. But alas I didn't find anything there to explain this sudden behavior change. But since the incident with the head set, Biff has also chewed my sons sneakers, not to distruction but just enough for us to notice. I'm leaning toward him doing something that annoyed her. I may never figure it out but the cure seems simple enough now. Just put everything away that may tempt her.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dogs are attracted to items that carry the scent of someone they like. Yes, the best course is to put stuff away for now.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Two reasons. She was attracted to the scent of people she loved on the items and she is in the life stage of setting her permanent teeth in the jaw. Here's an article that may help:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1517&S=1&SourceID=47

Kathy,
thank you for this article, I know I am months after you posted this, but I just got a new shepherd pup from rescue last month he is nearly 7 months now and I had never heard of the chewing to set the teeth in, i Have noticed he is chewing a lot more lately so I am thinking this might be it. I will be buying him some new toys and try and find some great things to help him thru this stage.

Catherine

>>Two reasons. She was attracted to the scent of people she loved on the items and she is in the life stage of setting her permanent teeth in the jaw. Here's an article that may help:
>>
>>http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1517&S=1&SourceID=47
>>
>>Kathy,
>>thank you for this article, I know I am months after you posted this, but I just got a new shepherd pup from rescue last month he is nearly 7 months now and I had never heard of the chewing to set the teeth in, i Have noticed he is chewing a lot more lately so I am thinking this might be it. I will be buying him some new toys and try and find some great things to help him thru this stage.
>>
>>Catherine

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yep, he's right on schedule! Getting him strongly focused on quality toys at this point in his life will help his dental health all through life. Good for you!
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47