Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some advice, my puppy is about 5 almost 6 months old and i have a problem. He chews and pees on everything. Is this the side effect from Testostrone (if this is not right please tell me)? And how can I get him to stop chewing?

Thanks for your help
Anna

Hi, Anna and welcome to the board. Pull up a crate and make yourself at home. I hate to say it but that's what puppies do.....chew, eat, drink and pee. <G> I don't know about the Testostrone being a side effect. When you're not home to take him out frequently, you might want to confine him to one area of the kitchen. Put down some newspaper or puppy pads and put him on these and praise him if he uses them. You might want to give him a tiny treat every now and then when he relieves himself on the pads, paper and especially when he goes outside. As he gets older, he wond't have to relieve himself as often. Perhaps some type of safe, doggie chew bone would help with the chewing. Others may have some suggestions for you as well.

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Mary Lou & Katie

Thank you for your advice!! He is doing better with the potty training and thet chewing. Two problems down one to go.LOL!! So once again thanks for your help.

Thanks
Anna

Hi Anna,
Nice to meet you. When you got your little guy, did you confine him in a small area or crate train him? If not, then he never realized that the house was not his personal potty. Most canines will go away from where they eat and sleep. That is an born knowledge in them.

Like Mary Lou said, put him back in a small area (gated hallway or very small kitchen). Take him out more frequently, rewarding him with a special treat that he gets ONLY when he goes potty outside. My Ayla was trained to go on wee wee pads and doesn't go outside. If you would like to do this, then give the treat only when he goes on the wee wee pad. Don't give in and let him run the house until you get him to understand that he has to go potty outside or on the pad.

Some people use a bell as a training so the dog rings the bell when it has to go out. This may be a way to get him to do things different. Again, the good treat only when he goes potty outside.

Also, clean your carpets and the spots he goes with an enzyme cleaner product that takes all the odor away. Petastic is a good one. Ammonia or vinegar doesn't get rid of all the urine. Dog's noses are very good and they can still smell it.

Chewing, again, keeping him confined until problems are changed. Give him things he is allowed to chew. If you are using wee wee pads, put them in a holder that they sell so he doesn't get in the habit of chewing them. Don't give things like tied up socks or old shoes... he won't know the difference.

If you don't want to confine him, you will have to leash him to you so that you can keep an eye on him all the time. This way you can stop bad behavior BEFORE he does something wrong. They don't know why you are yelling at them after the fact. You would have to catch them in the act.

I have found that Shih Tzus work better with reward then with reprimand though. Keep that goodie in your pocket so it's right there.

Ayla loves bacon. I can make it into tiny pieces.
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Dee and Ayla

I agree with the advice above. Puppies have tiny bladders and just like human babies, it takes a while for them to mature. They have to be taken out every hour or so.

They do chew. They teethe just like human babies.

A nice, safe area, maybe an pen for puppies is good when you cannot watch the pup.

Positive training is the best. It isn't easy to be a puppy and not understand exactly what we want them to do.

Good luck. Glad you are here!

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Sally & Trudy

What a beautiful picture of Trudy!!!!
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http://www.dogster.com/dogs/320253
Chris and Sissy

Thanks you!!

Thanks
Anna

Thank you for all your advice, I'll be sure to use it!! He is doing better with potty training, and chewing, now it's just the hard headedness that's really getting to me. Is this just a sign that he needs to be trained MORE or better. We haven't gotten him fixed yet, but I'm hoping it will help with the "cockyness" that he has.

Thanks
Anna

I don't think he is cocky, just a puppy. Gentle positive training is all they need. They have a lot of energy until they are at least a year old. Puppies can be crazy, just need guidance. Lots of praise for going things correctly. They can learn to sit and stay very early. They LOVE to learn. Walking daily is important. You just have to make sure all shots are given first. Also, don't walk when it is hot or the sidewalk is hot.
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Sally & Trudy

I do have to say that my little Ayla learned alot when she went for obedience training. Which we had to take to do Agility.
It really does make a difference.

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Dee and Ayla