8 month puppy chewing
Recently she has become over powering and as a joke always said she is my shadow. She will not eat her food if hubby feeds her. Will not come back for recall for him. Totally different dog when I walk or feed her.she seems to think its just me and her and if I ignore and play with retriever/walk etc she turns horrible. Today due to it being warm I left there door open to let them into conservatory aswell as there own area while I was out. Always have free run of house when I am around. Well Hollie has now chewed the skirting in the conservatory and tv wire while I was out. What am I doing wrong with her. She gets walks attention throughout the day. Chewing as a pup understandable but to begin again at 8 months old WHY. due to go on holiday 19th July rented a cottage welcomed 2 well behaved dogs. She was when we booked but now doubtful advice needed please. What age do they come into season. Breeder now moved no forwarding address for her.  |
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| Take Hollie to the vet and set up an appointment for her to be spayed immediately before taking her on the trip. Spaying may help with behavior problems. I have had OES that have chewed for their entire lives. It is very common with a large active breed. You are on your way to having one very spoiled dog that is out of control. Ask vet for references for trainers when arranging the spaying. This dog needs help now. There is something missing in the info regarding her interaction with your husband. It is not her choice who feeds, walks, and interacts with her. You and your husband must be the pack leaders. Again, PLEASE get Hollie spayed and arrange training for her before she is no longer a viable pet for you. If she becomes impossible for you to handle, please turn her into an OES breed rescue. Lists of OES breed rescue groups are available online at Old English Sheepdog Club of America and New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue. Those people could possibly also be resources for you to use for finding appropriate training before Hollie becomes completely unmanageable. I hope when you state she becomes horrible it does not mean she is biting other animals or humans. If that is the case, you need to take action to get help with her immediately before she is chewing on flesh and blood. It happens every day with OES who have not been properly socialized and trained. |
| I've not heard that spaying helps with chewing. It sounds more like she's bored and/or missing you. I'm sure you'll get more experienced advice but my sheepie girl turned into a bit of a terror at 6-8 months old. I put it down to teenage behaviour. Lots of walks and games to keep her mentally challenged helped. I have a routine for when I leave. She and my Dalmatian get a favorite treat that is only for when I'm going out. They have got to look forward to it and know that I'll be back. I left lots of chewy toys lying and hidden around when I went out. Many were kept in reserve and only available if I was out so they had novelty value. Good luck |
| Ditto to what guest said, and what a lot of Hogwash Sheepiemamma on spaying to solve the problem. Firstly she is only 8 months old and her growth plates are not fully closed. Search here on the forum on early spaying or neutering and read the damaging effects it has on this large breed. Pannda eyes Hollie at 8 months could be also cracking her molars through. Lots of chewies and toys to curb her chewing stuff she is not suppose too. Best thing at this time too, especially when you are not there is Kongs stuffed with something tasty and hard for her to get out and maybe also when you are not there at this time crate her with plenty of stuffies and chew toys. Best wishes she is still only a pupper but is blooming into a teenager and they do challenge you at that stage. You'll get there, also remember OES are very late maturing too, I say they dont grow brains till 3   There known as the "Peter Pan" of the dog breeds   In heat/season depends, pity your breeder is not around, they are late there in the breed but without knowing the mothers history hard to say. Over the years my bitches first ones ranged from 9 months to up to 16 months for there first heats. I say also at the moment your pretty safe with her and search here on the forum to read about de-sexing and the right time to think about it. Best wishes, remember she is still a baby/coming into the terrible teens, she sounds adorable too and typical of the breed for her age  Psst one of mine years ago ate a hole in the Plaster and unbeknowns to me chewed all the hoses at the back of the washing machine and when I turned it on WATER everywhere   It happens, what you need to do is find a secure place for her when out with lots of chew toys and things to keep her occupied she is still only a baby developing into a teen and believe me she will be awesome as she matures more.  Also you need to let your other half feed her, if she does not eat, so be it, she will eventually. She has to learn your not her sole carer, he has to step up and do it more. You have to distance yourself for awhile with feeding her and let your other half do for her. She might refuse but eventually she will change her mind. She needs to learn the as they say pecking order in the family. |
| Thank you so much for advice. Hollie really is adorable and I love her loads. I shall do all I can to make her happy. No way will I part with her and let her be rehommed she is my dog and my responsibility. Yes she still has larger teeth to come through so I will bare that in mind. She does have a kong but can't be left with it if Isla my retriever is shut in the same room as Hollie for safety as I know if Isla went near it Hollie would tell her off. Isla is a 6yr old golden retriever who is so laid back she WON'T tell Hollie off and put her in her place and I think Hollie thinks she is top dog. Walking them together isn't fun as Isla doesn't get to run around as normal as Hollie chases her as if herding. So Isla always has the run off lead first then Hollie has to wait for Isla to come back then Hollie gets let off. This is only when both out together. I have a crate that Hollie went in when she injured her knee/hip when her dew back claws got tangled bless her after the operation she was on rest for 2/3 wks. Used the crate last night and she was fine sleep all night. Because Hollie and Isla sleep in there own area together I didn't think it was fair to crate when younger as they cuddle up together but I shall now use it and take on holiday as can't risk Hollie destroying someone's wall or skirting. As for exercise she loves her tennis ball and will do training with her ball as reward. Love to put a picture of her on here no idea how to do it. Feel so much happier now THANK YOU |
| I am pretty sure the Sheepiemama poster is just someone who lurks on here with their own agenda. I recommend their posts be ignored, as they are not correct and are using our forum to spread incorrect and misguided information. |
| And in response to your post about Hollie and her chewing.... Number one thought is she is likely teething, she's at the right stage for her molars to be erupting. They are big teeth and hurt. This is a common time to see otherwise well behaved pups turn into chewing monsters. They will be chewing on the side of their mouths and can get quite destructive. They are bigger now, and strong chewers. This can also develop into a habit, so be sure to puppy proof as much as possible. When caught chewing non desirable things - promptly redirect to toys, etc. Also at this stage they are becoming more independent and trying out new behaviors. They are less the innocent pup and more on their way to exploring their world. Renew your supervision - kind of like going back to square one and supervise, supervise! Also it will help to keep her mentally and physically busy. It is just a growth phase, but you want to get through it successfully! |
You have some really good information about why this is happening and what you should do. I just have a suggestion for a really good redirection toy--antlers. I have found that deer antlers are some of the best chew toys for the misdirected chewer. If you can find 2 fullsize ones, both dogs would be really happy to chill and chew. They are expensive to buy, but so are repairmen.  Good luck. |
| Spaying at 8 months? Really? Can we all say, in unison, 'knee-jerk reaction'? Several weeks of training that can be disguised as fun and games will do far more than one poorly timed and unnecessary surgery that could really harm the dog down the road. Do yourself and Hollie a favor and listen to the forum veterans. They really know what they're saying and have for years... Vance |
got sheep wrote: I am pretty sure the Sheepiemama poster is just someone who lurks on here with their own agenda. I recommend their posts be ignored, as they are not correct and are using our forum to spread incorrect and misguided information. Dawn is onto something here. Four out of eleven, (so far) posts from Sheepiemama have started with this very same thing: Quote: I would urge you to adopt from an OES breed rescue group instead of purchasing a puppy. Many OES become too large, too expensive, or too something else for their buyers between 6 and 12 months of age. If they are lucky, they end up with an OES breed rescue group. Many wonderful OES of all ages inclu... All four of these posts were made the same day. So either someone is being lazy with the whole copy and paste lifestyle or they're working an agenda we're all tired of. Speaking as a Moderator, and I rarely hate to pull that card out, if this continues, it will end very quickly. If you want to earn the respect of those on this forum both new and veterans, don't shove opinions or agendas for that matter down our member's throats.Vance |
| Besides "Sheepiemama" singing her praises of early spaying and neutering, another misconception she has is that there are an abundance of suitable rescues available for adoption. OES aren't like other breeds where there are large numbers languishing in rescues. Some may be in rescue for awhile but they may also have issues that make them unsuitable for many families. A rescued dog of any breed may not be the best option for everyone. Sheepiemama, get the facts straight before posting your personal agenda all over this forum.  Few people here will buy into it. |
| Panda eyes this a great link for you to read for you not your vet to make a decision as to when the time is right to spay Hollie. Popped this link up before but will do it again, the longer you can leave it till well over 12 months the better the long term benefits are for her. A good read this link of the pros and cons on both sides of the great de-sexing debate as to when and also not being pushed too early by vets who dont know the longer term consequences that can occur on large breeds. Toy and small breeds yes as they can be fully mature by 6-9 months of age, large breeds they need to mature & develope more before de-sexing for there better long term health. http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTerm ... InDogs.pdf Great idea too to take the crate on holidays for hollie. Cracking those big molars now is hard on them and yes even though she was not too bad a chewer as a baby, these ones coming through seems to turn them into chew machines I always like the fact it is done sneakley, you come home and find OMG cant believe my pooch chewed that It will settle when those molars erupt. In the meantime even at home when you are all out, crate or confine her to a specific area to keep the chew damage down with chewie things she is allowed to have, also you can get bitter apple spray to spray on areas you dont want lil Miss to chew, like window frames, skirting boards etc.  Been there done that plenty of times with chew monsters at this age  |
| Looks like I have missed a few things. Spading a dog at that age well what can I say |
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