Playmate or Not

Annette's picture

I have a 12 week Border Collie x Labrador he chews everything in sight. We live on an acerage so he has a large space to investigate. When we are at work I give him all the toys, bones and activities that we have brought for him but he still thinks that everything else is more interesting e.g. garden lights, plants, pots etc. We have tried everything but nothing seems to work. Even when we are home and put him outside for a while on his own he will always find something to destroy. We cannot be with him every minute of the day. He seems to know that it is wrong when I catch him in action. Should we get him a play mate to help his bordom however, my husband thinks that it would mean double trouble. HELP PLEASE!!

Annette

Comments

Double Trouble

I tend to agree with your husband, two puppies = almost twice the trouble. An older rescue (say, 3 or 4 yo) who is tolerant of puppies might be a good option though, if you have time for two dogs.

I would advise training one at a time though, it's much easier and you get a better result. Although he's a mischievous puppy now, he won't stay that way for long.

A Border Collie x Lab is going to be a big handful and you can expect to lose some pots, plants, garden lights, hoses etc Anything precious to you needs to be moved. Puppy proof the yard he stays in during the day, or build him a run.

Don't leave all his toys out, rotate them throughout the week. When I was a kid we didn't have many toys and what we did have we treasured and enjoyed for a long time. I see my nieces and nephews with dozens of toys and they honestly couldn't care less about them, rip them out of the packet, play with them for a day, then toss them in the pile.

Nosework games and training are the best way to tire a puppy out. No free meals, hide the food, put it in food dispensing toys, lay tracks with it, and use it for clicker training treats.

If you're looking for a great training program I recommend http://www.dragonflyllama.com , Training Levels.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com