Pointer 1 Year old chewing his bed

[henry Tomlin]

Hi - My pointer puppy insists on eating his bed - have just spent �70 and he has destroyed two in a fortnight - he gets plenty of excercise - has his own chewable toys which he seems to like - any thoughts as to how to stop this greatly appreciated. He also lives with his Dad who is nearlly ten human years old and behaves very well. Thanks

[carmalee]

hi henry
Is it only his bed he's chewing? - if you are sure he's not bored he probably just likes the taste and feel of it , either take the bed away the second he starts chewingstay calm don't scold him, completely ignore him -no eye contact either) and return it when he's quiet or try painting a bit of that stuff used to stop kids biting their nails. good luck carmalee

[carmalee]

Me again Henry - forgot to mention to try giving him ice cubes to chew on - he's teething so his gums etc may be sore - Carmalee

[henry Tomlin]

Hi carmalee - he never does it fron of me - normally at night when we are greeted in the morning by a huge deal of stuffing from the beds - honestly he knows that he is not supposed to because the moment I start top clear it up he looks at me very guiltily which of course means he has won that round !!!

[carmalee]

not sure I buy the 'he knows he's done wrong' way of thinking - most likely he picks up on your body language. if it's any consolation he will most likely outgrow it - you could also try putting some tasty goodies in a Kong type toy then freezing it. should keep him amused for hours! does sound like he's just being a puppy - bit bored, bit frustrated and sore gums to boot. be good to hear how you go. best of luck. Carmalee

[jules77]

It is probably just a puppy stage he is going through, but dont hold your breath......I have a five year old bitch who still chews bedding, usually ours.

[lilacben]

Hi Henry my dog, a rough coliie, chewed my bed when he was a puppy.All down one side of it was ruined.! One day I put a video on and went out to see when he did it. I had only just got up the road and then came back.The video showed him get up as soon as the door was closed and attack the bed base. He just didnt like me going out. It was a nightmare for months.

[Clanad]

Just a small point... you say he gets plenty of exercise but you also say he's a pointer. The working breeds need lots of exercise. At least a good solid hour a day of energetic walking or field run. We've had various breeds of hunters for years here in the western U.S. and they have tremendous energy and are easily bored if not attended...

Best of luck!

[lankeela]

At one year old he will not still be teething. This sounds like a habit he has developed maybe since he was teething as a five/six month old puppy. I would remove any bedding with stuffing in it, and replace it with vetbed, which is flat furry bedding with a canvas type backing, and it is quite difficult for them to chew up (but not impossible!). One manufacturer claims their Profleece bedding is non chew but I know some dogs who would eventually go through it.

Another thing you could do is to give him a plastic dog bed, and either put a flat mat or vetbed in it, or even some shredded paper although this can make a right mess - ok in kennels but indoors its a nightmare to keep in one place.

I am sure he will grow out of it in time, but till then don't spend a lot of money on expensive beds, support your local market trader pet stall and buy cheap and cheerful ones which can be replaced or even give him a large cardboard box lined with newspaper. Leave him with a big marrow or knuckle bone or pigs ears to chew on and I am sure he will gradually get out of the habit.

[Ice.Maiden]

Your dog's still in its puppy stage atm, but if he gets plenty of exercise and has a lot of toys, then perhaps he just doesn't like the bed! Try buying a cheaper and more robust one, and give him a Kong to chew on. Very often, they chew things out of boredom if they're not being stimulated enough. Make sure he goes for a good walk twice a day, and try moving the bed to a different place. Best of luck.

[LoftyLottie]

My dogs both have plastic dog baskets with blankets for bedding. I have learnt from experience that dogs like taking the stuffing out of things, especially puppies!! One of my dogs still likes 'unstuffing' things at the age of 7.

[thugulike]

Previous dogs have always chewed the zip or velcro on beds. I now use a local market trader who makes a special bed to my own design which has a pillowslip end. These beds have firm foam rather than wadding with a waterproof cover then a soft suede like cover which is easily washed. I know my mastiff is a very good dog and I'm lucky with him but even he took the wadding out of other beds. If anyone's interested the contact is 017684 83056

[fredpuli47]

Just be grateful you haven't got a wolfhound (or anything else much bigger).My two 'wolfs', as youngsters, destroyed a three piece suite when I was out.I was greeted by two happy bitches surrounded by a 'snowstorm' of white filling.

The short answer is a dog bed that this one can't 'eat' so easily. Don't think a wicker one is an answer, by the way.No soft stuff, but lots of bits on the floor, some of them sharp and pointy.Keeps a little dog happy for hours (LOL), but not ideal for any (pointy bits may hurt).