When will my Staffie stop eating my house?

[WiseOldSage]

When will my puppy stop eating everything in it's path? She is five months old. And why do other people's horror stories about dogs/puppies only come out after you have got one :o(

[NazNomad]

"When will my puppy stop eating everything in it's path?"

At five months old ... possibly never. Training starts from birth y'know.

Yes, I know this wasn't what you wanted to hear.

Is it bored, does it have toys, spread chilli on everything you don't want it to bite ... train it, etc etc

[DTCwordfan]

Bittersweet Apple (spray) is very good for 98% of dogs - who hate it......soon stopped our puppy from chewing/eating things she shouldn't

For the 2% who do like the smell/flavour, it is obviously a bigger challenge.

[lankeela]

Exercise, more exercise and play, join a training class for socialisation and stimulation, give lots of alternative things it can chew, crate train for when you leave it (for short periods). Did the breeder not tell you? All puppies need to chew to loosen their puppy teeth to help the adult ones come through. Unfortunately Staffs do everything ten times more than other breeds! The information is out there if you bother to look.

[Messalina]

We had a boxer that chewed his way through the house. Best bit was when he chewed through the leg of a dining chair but it stayed together until my father sat on it.

[lindisfern]

Starts with teething, especially the back teeth, not sure for Staffies but most breeds have finished by 16 weeks, but if it is allowed to become a habit (not using distraction techniques) then it will take some work to stop it.
20 weeks most new owners have become bored with their little darling and the developed habit becomes an attention seeking tool. The fact the attention its getting
is not pleasure does not matter-its attention.
Stop leaving it alone so much-or are you entertained by watching it chew through the table leg?

[divegirl]

Hi, Staffies are well known for their chewing and I have a friend whose dog chewed out a brick wall [external corner] while alone for 2 hours!
Try getting him a knuckle bone from the butchers or a large marrow bone...will keep him happy for a while!

Lisa x

[B00]

uncalled for beso, and ont funny either

[Dris]

That was bang out of order Beso and I also thought that the Ed was clamping down on unhelpful answers -he has in the Law topic anyhow.....
The OP only asked for advice not a berating.

[madmaggot]

QUOTE why do other people's horror stories about dogs/puppies only come out after you have got one :o(

That's because you start to do your research after you have the pup instead of before you've decided which breed suits you (if any).

Now you have your pup just read what Lankeela has said above; give your dog enough excercise and mental stimulation and she will sleep the rest of the time. Use the crate for short periods, and at night. Don't forget she will need water in the crate and her favourite chewy toy.

If she attempts to chew something that she shouldn't just say 'No' in a firm voice (don't shout) and give her her own chewy toy. She will soon learn which things are hers and which are 'out of bounds'.

People get into trouble because the dogs are left to their own devices so they get bored and find things to do. A dog is as big a committment as a baby and takes up just as much of your time.

[webbo3]

I had the same problem with my staffie, it went on for about 1yr then she became the best and cleverest dog ever.