Crate Training Question
Q: What’s the best way to crate train a puppy who’s constantly chewing everything? I’ve had her for two weeks and she won’t stop chewing carpets, walls, furniture, doors, everything. I try redirecting her to chew toys all day, but she’s not interested. If I’m not watching her, she’s destroying something. I can’t even cook, shower, or go to the bathroom without her chewing up the place. I’ve never needed to crate train before, but I’m at a loss with this pup. I don’t want her to hate the crate, any tips?
A: I wouldn’t personally recommend crate training for what you’re looking to achieve exactly.
Think of crate training the same way you think of your bedroom. Your bedroom is THE perfect spot to be when you want to relax and are ready to rest. But what if you were somehow obligated to stay there when you feel like going out with friends or to work?
Chances are you wouldn’t enjoy it as much and wouldn’t get the full benefit from it and thus feel frustrated as a result.
The same can happen with your pup and their crate. Crate training is best when it’s first and foremost used the same way you would use your baby’s crib.
It keeps them safe there when they’re ready to just hang out and relax.
My hunch is that you either have a very high energy/busy pup and/or they’re easily bored, thus they want constant attention and chewing can be a sure fire way to get it. Therefore we need to figure out why your pup feels the need to repeat that behaviour and replace it with a new one, aka rest and relaxation so you can go about your day. :)
What I would do to start is evaluate what you do on a daily basis with your pup in terms of enrichment.
How often do they get to play with pups their age? How often do they go to new places with you? How often do they get to explore new games, tricks, activities, smells, sights and sounds?
Making sure that our pups are properly stimulated physically, mentally and socially to their heart’s content is the beginning of a beautiful relationship not only with you, but then also their crate and your home as a place of rest, not just as a place to seek attention to try to scratch an itch they might have.
Just my two cents! ✌🏼