Evening all, am hoping to pick some brains please. Neo has picked up a very annoying habit of chewing on the underside of my chair. I’m pretty sure he does it for attention and that I have reinforced it by giving it to him in my efforts to get him to stop! I know ignoring unwanted behaviours is generally seen as the best approach however I don’t feel I can do this as he is so quick at pulling bits of the material off and eating them and more of a worry, it is one of those electric recliners so don’t want him to get a shock (it has been left unplugged since this behaviour started just in case). I think he mainly tends to do it when he’s overtired, I call him away and play touch or similar for a minute or two and then generally he will hop on the sofa for a kip although sometimes he does go straight back to it. Just after some advice on how to deal with it as I can’t really block off the underside and was unsure if I’m adding to the problem by engaging with him when he does it. He’s not left unattended in the room so this only happens when we are there too. Any tips on how to break this habit and encourage ‘leave’ on items I can’t just remove in general would be much appreciated as it’s driving me up the wall! Thanks.
Teaching ‘leave it’ with immovable objects
- Thread starter Parodius
- Start date
I’m sure someone will come along with good ideas, but the only thing I can think of is a deterrent spray (to spray onto the chair, not Neo!). There are some available at pet stores or online, or I think you can make up your own too.
Have you tried giving him something he can chew, eg a frozen Kong, to distract and settle him before he tries to chew the chair?
Have you tried giving him something he can chew, eg a frozen Kong, to distract and settle him before he tries to chew the chair?
I found this sort of thing was something Chewie grew out of (thankfully he only damaged one cheap IKEA chair!) and management was best. Are you able to block off access to the underside of the chair while it's up? We were super cautious with the electric recliners when Chewie was little too- we were worried for the same reasons as you. Once he grew up a bit he realised the top of the couch was the good bit and never went under there again!
I guess the other thing you could do is make "recliner up" time "tasty chew on your mat" time but that might require a lot of chews to begin with so might not be practical.
I guess the other thing you could do is make "recliner up" time "tasty chew on your mat" time but that might require a lot of chews to begin with so might not be practical.
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Finn was a chewer too…’Ate‘ or chewed several immovable objects. We was crated when alone, also for the night. We had 2 labs at that time, so he wasn’t really alone and could see Euan, his big brother. We crated him until he was 4. When we were in the room he wouldn’t chew, only when left alone. He felt safe in his crate, as it was his own
Thanks for the ideas all, it’s strange as he tends to do it after he’s had a chewing session and is sleepy, it’s almost like he needs a final act of rebellion before he will settle down 
Unfortunately I’m a bit limited in what chews he can have as rather than chewing he’s a gulper and when he was old enough to try natural chews like rabbit ears he swallowed them whole causing me to have kittens! I’ve spoken with the vet about it at his last checkup and they’ve advised to stop giving him things like that as he’s been lucky so far not to have problems. Will maybe try a spray and see if that makes the chair less tasty to him, here’s hoping!
Unfortunately I’m a bit limited in what chews he can have as rather than chewing he’s a gulper and when he was old enough to try natural chews like rabbit ears he swallowed them whole causing me to have kittens! I’ve spoken with the vet about it at his last checkup and they’ve advised to stop giving him things like that as he’s been lucky so far not to have problems. Will maybe try a spray and see if that makes the chair less tasty to him, here’s hoping!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Have you tried nylabones @Parodius ? I think it's difficult to find "chews" that are suitable , I have vague recollections of this from when Cass was this age (funny how you forget!). Her main focus of chewing when over tired was me !!
Is he used to a crate? I certainly found having one very helpful when she was young.
Is he used to a crate? I certainly found having one very helpful when she was young.
Those tree roots are good the boys love those.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Tree roots?
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Squidge liked the anco root when she was a small puppy, but not after that. None of my other dogs have had any interest in them whatsoever! I'd suggest stuffed Kongs (working up to freezing them) as these are very relaxing for most dogs, take a while to work through and keep them out of mischief!
Beanwood
Administrator
It does sound like this is a a form of "self calming" for Neo that has become a reinforcing behaviour... especially as we see this at specific times of the day, when Neo is tired. Understanding what motivates behaviour helps determine what we can "replace" this behaviour with, at the same time fulfilling a need. Neo probably is looking for connection with you as well as feeling a bit restless as precursor to sleep, but struggling a bit to actually sleep, a common problem with young dogs! Think FOMO ( or Fear Of Missing Out ..
)The "driving up the wall" bit.. .I am afraid is par of the course! But with continued management this too should pass! (eventually...
)Some tips ...
1. Understand behaviour - take notes, exactly when is this happening and why?
2. Change wanting attention to "seeking connection" - re-framing is a great way to help find better solutions.
3. Redirect through positive interruption - such as a the hand touch game - brings focus to you then.....
4. Soothing replacement behaviour - a frozen kong, lickimat . Long lasting chew hold one end and allow Neo to chew at one end - such as a pizzle stick, longish dehydrated chews are - larger rabbit ear, lambskin heads or similar. Millies wolfheart do a great selection. This has the benefit of you becoming more re-inforcing rather than your lovely electric recliner!
Apart from point 4 this is also great human parenting advice.It does sound like this is a a form of "self calming" for Neo that has become a reinforcing behaviour... especially as we see this at specific times of the day, when Neo is tired. Understanding what motivates behaviour helps determine what we can "replace" this behaviour with, at the same time fulfilling a need. Neo probably is looking for connection with you as well as feeling a bit restless as precursor to sleep, but struggling a bit to actually sleep, a common problem with young dogs! Think FOMO ( or Fear Of Missing Out ..
The "driving up the wall" bit.. .I am afraid is par of the course! But with continued management this too should pass! (eventually...
Some tips ...
1. Understand behaviour - take notes, exactly when is this happening and why?
2. Change wanting attention to "seeking connection" - re-framing is a great way to help find better solutions.
3. Redirect through positive interruption - such as a the hand touch game - brings focus to you then.....
4. Soothing replacement behaviour - a frozen kong, lickimat . Long lasting chew hold one end and allow Neo to chew at one end - such as a pizzle stick, longish dehydrated chews are - larger rabbit ear, lambskin heads or similar. Millies wolfheart do a great selection. This has the benefit of you becoming more re-inforcing rather than your lovely electric recliner!
Though R would probably eat a dog chew. 
- Location
- Isle of Man
This has reminded me - I was supposed to start some sort of "LEAVE" training (or "COME" away from it) with Meg & a ball this week. I haven't. Major toughie.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I now have a sweet vision of Rowan chewing on a rabbit ear to soothe himself to sleep.....Apart from point 4 this is also great human parenting advice.
The real story is definitely sweeter. He falls asleep cuddling his black labrador toy called "Puppy."
He does, however, eat absolutely anything with great joy. Much like his doggy brother.
Yes, he has nylabones in a few different flavours, his favourite are the bacon ones. He is crate trained but that is a whole other issue as in the last few weeks we have been having some problems with him becoming unsettled when he’s in it whereas he was fine before. He’s definitely throwing me some curve balls recently, I thought I knew what to expect with him being my second lab but think I’ve forgotten a lot too!
Thanks for the idea, are they similar to coffee wood?
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Yes, very similar.
Thanks for your suggestions, FOMO is the main problem we have had with him since he came home, always thinks there’s something better going on in another room! He does have frozen kongs and lickimats but I think I need to work on my timing of when he gets them and also on reading him a bit better when he’s pushing buttons.It does sound like this is a a form of "self calming" for Neo that has become a reinforcing behaviour... especially as we see this at specific times of the day, when Neo is tired. Understanding what motivates behaviour helps determine what we can "replace" this behaviour with, at the same time fulfilling a need. Neo probably is looking for connection with you as well as feeling a bit restless as precursor to sleep, but struggling a bit to actually sleep, a common problem with young dogs! Think FOMO ( or Fear Of Missing Out ..
The "driving up the wall" bit.. .I am afraid is par of the course! But with continued management this too should pass! (eventually...
Some tips ...
1. Understand behaviour - take notes, exactly when is this happening and why?
2. Change wanting attention to "seeking connection" - re-framing is a great way to help find better solutions.
3. Redirect through positive interruption - such as a the hand touch game - brings focus to you then.....
4. Soothing replacement behaviour - a frozen kong, lickimat . Long lasting chew hold one end and allow Neo to chew at one end - such as a pizzle stick, longish dehydrated chews are - larger rabbit ear, lambskin heads or similar. Millies wolfheart do a great selection. This has the benefit of you becoming more re-inforcing rather than your lovely electric recliner!
Think so.