My 16 month old bearded collie has mastered quite a few things after intensive training, because obedience is not her thing, but she walks on a leash , comes, sits, does not go crazy seeing other dogs even tho' playing is her utmost objective in life. But I can't leave her alone, because she chews on chairs, beds, etc. And I don't mean alone in the house simply that I don't see her. I play with her everyday, change her toys every couple of days ,she goes to doggy care 5 hours a day and the rest is with me, I have caught her at it and scolded her, I have sprayed what she chewed, and she chooses something else, I would like to leave her with full access in the house but I find myself forced to close doors and keep her with me which is also not good. Anyone can offer some help, She does not respond to food treats its play what you can treat her with .
hi hele9001 and thanks for your post. Unfortunately many dogs tend to be very keen chewers from puppy age right through and even past their teenage months. I think with your dog the best way to train her out of this is to give her repeated 'time out' every time she does this. To do this it will be necessary for you to have an area to put her where she can be confined for time out and cannot chew on things which she shouldn't. This could be a crate, a pen, a kennel and run, or even a basement or laundry room as long as it can be accessed quickly. Leave her in an area where you can watch her with the normal items of the room which she chews. As soon as she puts her mouth on an out of bounds object quickly but very calmly and silently remove her to her time out space for 3 minutes. As soon as this time is up let her out and continue as if nothing has happened. The important part is that during the chewing and during the time out she is getting absolutely no attention from you. While she is in the room and not chewing inappropriately give her praise and attention especially if she walks past her favorite things to destroy and does not go to chew them.
It may also help if you rub or soak things she is allowed to chew with something that will give them a distinctive yet appealing smell so she can easily differentiate between what she can and cant chew for example you could try soaking them in meat stock and water.
Because you are trying to train the dog to not chew certain items rather than not allowing the act of chewing at all (for obvious reasons) it can take a while for the dog to click on to what you are wanting, however if you persevere it should be very effective eventually. The important thing is to be very consistent. the dog must get the same result for the same behavior every time or she will start to try the boundaries of your new resolve.
Good luck and let me know how you get on or if you have any concerns implementing this training.
