Hi everyone, I’m having a bit of a problem with my 7-month-old puppy! For the last few days, he’s discovered a new passion for chewing electric cables and I must admit I’m not really sure how to handle it. Just to clarify, he doesn’t have access to them when he’s alone since he’s kept in the kitchen; he only does it when we’re in the room. He’s already gone for two laptop chargers, the lead for the essential oil diffuser, and just now he moved on to the lamp cord 😠 He knocked everything over while backing away, smashing the lightbulb as well as a glass of water that was nearby, and he almost had the iron fall on his head...
Anyway, I have to admit that in a moment of panic and frustration, I gave him a right telling off, but I feel bad about it and I know it’s not the right solution 🙅
He has an antler, chew bones, and a Kong available, for context.
Do you have any advice on the best way to react to this behaviour?
Thanks a lot!
Translated from French
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Yesterday I was chatting with a man whose dog had been in for some digestive tests for some reason or other. The vet had phoned him to say that the dog was full of little coils of electrical wire, and told him to give her a course of leeks to help get rid of all that nasty stuff. He also said to do something or other so that the next time she chewed on a wire, she’d get a tiny little electric shock—just enough of a zap to be unpleasant and break that dangerous habit. I didn't really follow the technical explanation, to be honest. I was thinking to myself that I’d never do something like that, but then again, it was for the dog's own safety...
Just to clarify, he does get out on the street for 20 minutes every day and spends two hours at the dog park, so he’s definitely not cooped up at home and gets plenty of exercise! Unfortunately, even after those long walks, he’s still full of beans, and that’s usually when he gets into the most mischief 👌
Anyway, I can try taking him out for 30 minutes in the morning to see if that makes him any calmer 👍
As for his background, he actually comes from Romania. He was born there in October and was found wandering the streets with his brother and sister when they were two months old; the mum was never found. He then spent over three months in a pen with other dogs with no real human contact before arriving here at the end of March!
Safe to say he’s not had the easiest start in life 🤧
I think it would be better if he went out at least once in the morning beyond the garden, despite his fear. It’ll give him more exercise and the more he gets out, the more he’ll eventually get used to it ;) Give him some enrichment toys, like a plastic bottle filled with dry food for example ;)
But if he chews the plastic from the bottle, then definitely not! I nearly lost my girl when she was a pup because of plastic.
Kikaah, I agree with you on some of your comments, but please don't give that advice.
The more you avoid his fears, the bigger they're going to get!
Take it bit by bit, without "reassuring" him too much, because that just stresses them out more—it’s like they think, "blimey, if they’re fussing over me like this, it must be really dangerous!"
Delaying things will only make the situation worse.
Also, if he’s going to be shut in the kitchen for 8 hours, he absolutely needs a proper long walk to burn off some energy beforehand.
On top of the previous tips, you need to make sure you don't leave anything lying around, just as you would with children. For any cables you can't put away, buy some plastic cable protectors or conduit; it costs next to nothing (sold in 10 or 20-metre rolls) and will keep all your electrical wires safe! Good luck. And make sure to take him out plenty so he's nice and worn out!
I reckon it would be better if he got out beyond the garden at least once in the morning, despite his fears; it’ll give him more exercise and the more he goes out, the more he’ll eventually get used to it ;) give him some enrichment toys to keep him busy, like a plastic bottle filled with dry food for example ;)
If it’s no longer a teething puppy, I think your pup is chewing out of boredom. You need to take him out for proper walks, not just a few quick wees in the garden. He needs to get used to the city, the noises, etc. anyway, so he has to go out to burn off some energy; a well-exercised dog will usually sleep whether you’re there or not. He needs a good walk in the morning, at lunchtime if possible, in the evening as soon as you finish work, and once more before you go to bed.
I adopted an adult dog four months ago from a rescue centre in Spain. The first time I left him alone with my other Jack, I was worried about two things: that they’d fight (even though they seemed to get on when I was there) and that the new one would chew through the cables (as my Jack did that when she was a puppy). I used cardboard to hide the wires, but they didn’t get into any mischief; they just had all their toys out and scattered all over the flat. When I’m there, they sleep; when I’m out, they sleep (or I might see them gnawing on a bone or a toy for a few minutes), but I do take them out for an hour to an hour and a half in the morning, another 30 minutes in the afternoon, and about 45 minutes in the evening. On days when I’m not around, they go for a walk with their dog sitter.
So, take your dog out more regularly (it took my new one a month to get used to the city, the crowds, the noise, the cars, bikes, etc. — we started out at times when it was quieter with less traffic, and always took the same routes). This will help him burn off energy and let him see other dogs. Every time he goes near a cable, say "no" and give him a treat or a chew toy instead.
He’s a mixed breed of unknown origin weighing about 33lbs (15kg); he’s actually a Romanian rescue. I play with him loads—basically, I’ve always got an eye on him, and as soon as I see him starting to look for some mischief, I distract him by playing, teaching him a trick, or giving him a chew. But he still manages to sneak past me sometimes! Other than that, he goes out in the garden four or five times a day to do his business, and he has a long walk in the evening, off-lead in the park for about two hours. I should mention that I can't take him out more than that at the moment because he’s terrified of the street.
He’s been with us for a month and a half now and he already knows sit, down, spin, roll over, give both paws, sit pretty, jump, and stay 😌
What breed is he? How many walks does he get a day and for how long? At that age they’re always full of beans! Keep playing with him and give him some mental stimulation...
