I don't know what to do...he has eaten a whole in the leather couch and ripped out the seam in a cushion. I've tried cleaning it, but he did more damage. Can anyone help?

labman

Damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of his toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.

A mousetrap is very effective in making a dog leave something alone. Most
dogs will stay away from anywhere they were surprised by a snap. The best
part is that it is not you that is correcting the dog. It works whether you
are around or not. The mousetrap is very patient and is always on task as
long as you reset it. Some people have good luck with Bitter Apple spray from the pet store.

Better than mousetraps when you aren't around is the crate. Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for
dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select
a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

Fr_Chuck

don't worry, he can't eat that much of it, dachshunds are not that big.

Ok seriously are you wanting to keep the dog into another part of the hosue?? if so the people who make the underground fence have a product to use in the house to keep them in certain rooms.

I have not tried it, but they make a "spray" at the pet store that is supose to keep doggies (or kitty) off sofa

And of course taking the dog to a professional obenience class is never a good idea.

waggintailstreat

First, I'd like to say thank you both for your advise. Labman there is a book by Simon & Schuster that gives buyers facts before purchasing breeds maybe you should look into it before you purchased your labs....sorry to hear that you are plagued with your labs. I enjoyed my lab, rest his soul. My dogs are always crated when not around and when I am. The oldest one is always a nervous wreck for some reason, while the younger one lays down to rest when needed. I guess I can never turn my back on them or leave the room again....
Fr. Chuck thanks that is a great suggestion for the room barrier. Currently we are using lawn chairs and baby gates to keep them out of certain rooms. I am a mother of a very energetic almost 4 year old, so I am use to treating my dogs like children as well, cause they are all my babies . Thanks again to both of you.

labman

I have the S&S book. It says nothing about young Labs tending to shred everything they get ahold of. Dogs don't read breed descriptions and many times turn out far different than expected. I see many littermates grow up, and often they have very different personalities.

The book doesn't say much about Dachshunds chewing either. I think it is a common problem with younger dogs, some breeds being more likely to be a problem than others. It often gets much better with time. If you correct him enough times, he may quit. The S&S book does say they are tenacious.

A good obedience program might add to the effetiveness of your corrections. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.

waggintailstreat

Thank again for the information. I grew up with mostly poodles and every one had a different habit (some good, some not so good), but we loved every one. I will try the web site you suggested as soon as I get a spare minute .