Re: Bored Puppy

In Reply to: Bored Puppy
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Erika
Posted on:  August 30, 2002 at 13:05:15

: Our male JRT is about five months old and getting neutered in a month. Unfortunately we currently live in an apartment, but I run/walk him at least twice a day and my husband comes home at lunch to feed and play with him. He's fine in the morning before my husband gets there, but when either of us get home from work we find little things he's chewed.

: I read the FAQ about seperation anxiety and being bored and I'm pretty sure he's bored. We don't have anything really expensive that he can destroy, but we'd like to be able to use our couch and tables in the future. We tried putting up the baby gate and restricting his area of the house to an area that includes the kitchen and bathroom (where he goes to the bathroom on his papers), but of course he jumped it. I've read in several places that I could crate him, and he does like his crate but 4-5 hours seems like way too long to me. We also can't afford a dog walker to come every day. I'm just wondering what other options I have or if I'm being a little too over sensitive about the crate and a JRT. Thank you so much.

Response:

Hi Erika,

If your puppy only has to be crated for 4, 5 hours max I don't find that excessive. Your puppy AND your furniture will be much safer if he is crated. If you are uncomfortable still with crating him for that length of time then I suggest getting a taller gate.

Drs Foster & Smith's catalog carries a gate that's 4 feet tall, they run about $65 without shipping. It might be worth it if it makes you feel better to leave him blocked off as he is now.

But remember, he is in the teething stage now and will want to chew even more. You need to provide him with safe items he can chew.

Use our Go-to-Ground search and put in teething and I am sure there will be plenty of previous posts that can give you more tips on how to handle this stage in your puppy's life.

Make sure to puppy-proof the bathroom and kitchen area for your pup!