Puppy destroying household while we are gone

[robjen]

Me and my wife have a 5 month old female rottweiler, and her behavior is bad and getting worse, our main problem is that eveytime we leave the house, she gets into trash, food off the counter, dvd's, basically anything she can get to and destroys it and makes a mess. We punish her severely everytime she does it, but it almost seems to get worse and not better the more we try to train her. We are considering getting a shock collar, but most of the time she does this while we are gone so we can't catch her in the act. The most confusing thing is that she knows she is doing wrong because as soon as we come home and see the mess she cowers and hides. Any ideas?

[Puppy Love]

Did you ever think about a crate They are the best things in the world it would definatly help

[Patty1231]

This puppy needs a crate, not a shock collar. She is far too young to be left unsupervised. More important than the destruction of your belongings is the extreme jeopardy to her safety. Buy a crate and get her into training. I'm sure you have a beautiful girl and you wouldn't want any harm to come to her.

[debbiej]

yes, a crate is the safe way to keep a puppy, or for that matter a dog, out of trouble. your girl isn't hiding because she knows she did wrong, she is cowering because you are angry and she doesn't know why, she just knows she gets in trouble everytime you come home! poor girl, bet she is confused, she'd like to be happy to see you when you come home!

[miccmill]

I agree. Puppy needs a crate. You can keep her safe AND assure a happy greeting every time you come home.


She's reacting to the body language you are showing when you arrive home to find the mess. She doesn't "know" what she did but she knows you're mighty unhappy with her.

[Puppy Love]

I would get an X-Large one with a divider.

[spidey]

Also, stop punishing her after the fact, she has no idea what it's for, which means you're not "punishing" her, you're bullying her (no wonder she's scared when you get home, you've successfully taught her that your return to the home means she gets punished, NOT, you'll note, that she's done anything wrong). TRAIN your dog, she's a baby, she doesn't need punishment, she needs TRAINING and appropriate management. Get Ian Dunbar's book "Before and After You Get Your Puppy", and a crate.

[dmoniz]

As you have found punishing the dog when you get home makes the problem worse. She is anticipating an angry owner when you arrive so in order to relieve the stress she is feeling she finds things to chew. Get a crate, you should be able to find good prices on ebay and train her to enjoy her crate time. You will be happier and so will your puppy!

[Canadianrotti]

Is your pup in a training class? They will be able to help with the many questions I am sure that you have.

Our dogs love their crates, and go in on their own when they need a break from the rest of the world. Some think crates are little puppy jails, but dogs are den animals, and will feel very safe and comfy when done right.

Good luck, and remember, no matter how much they cry (and look sad and cute), don't take her out untill she is quiet!!!!

[Maverick]

Well, I think you got all the advice you need. A crate and some training is definitely what that pup needs. Next time you think about getting her a shock collar, think about how you would like it if the teachers in school had of taught you with one, or how about your kids if you have any??? I'm sure you would think that isn't human.... And it isn't for your dog members of the family either.

I would also like to try and make sense of the puppies behaviour while your gone for you.... When left unsupervised, the puppy is like a kid in a candy store with no clerk... There is no one there to tell them what they can and can't do and therefore your pup doesn't know what is wrong or right. Do you really expect her expecially at that young age to be able to resist scraps of food?? You must remember she is still an animal at the end of the day.... You are pretty much teasing her, then coming home and getting angry at her for taking the bait. Another reason the pup may do this (tho in this case I don't think this applies as much) is that Rotts are very pack/family oriented... When you and your wife leave for work in the morning the puppy wonders where you went.... When you don't return in a little while, the puppy begins to think that you have abondoned her... Puppies will act out against their owners possessions sometimes when they think the owner has left them, or done them wrong.

I think training for you and the puppy are in order. And no worries... training for me and MY puppy are just what the doctor ordered too!

[Anne]

I agree a crate is the way to go. Also, why leave things lying around the house where the pup can get to them? Put CD's away, don't leave food on the counters, don't leave the trash where she can get to it.

Please explain what you do to 'severely punish' her. No pup should be severely punished. Your punishment looks to have made your pup afraid of you which is why she cowers when you come home. She has no idea what she did was wrong.

Purchase a good quality crate and take the pup to obedience training.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by robjen

Me and my wife have a 5 month old female rottweiler, and her behavior is bad and getting worse, our main problem is that eveytime we leave the house, she gets into trash, food off the counter, dvd's, basically anything she can get to and destroys it and makes a mess.

Her behavior is "bad and getting worse" because of the way she is being raised by YOU, not because she is a bad dog. She's a puppy, for goodness sakes, and puppies will get into things if things are there to get into. Puppies need supervision and redirection when they get into mischief (and that's all it is, is mischief....not a felony), and when you can't be there to supervise, then you need to have her contained in either a crate or a thoroughly puppy-proofed room, along with safe toys so she has something to play with.

Originally Posted by robjen

We punish her severely everytime she does it, but it almost seems to get worse and not better the more we try to train her. We are considering getting a shock collar.

Whatever you mean by "punish her severely" (sends chills up my spine at the thought of it), no puppy should be raised on punishment! You have no business even considering a shock collar. She's already scared to death of you. What you need is a much better understanding of behavior and how dogs learn. Do a search here on "books" and you will find many that will help you understand her and how to teach her.

Originally Posted by robjen

The most confusing thing is that she knows she is doing wrong because as soon as we come home and see the mess she cowers and hides. Any ideas?

Dogs do not make a connection between a psycho person (which is how you appear to her when you come in the door and explode at her) and something they chewed on 3 minutes ago, let alone a few hours ago. You are scaring her to death with that kind of behavior, she has no idea why you are upset. All she is learning is that you can't be trusted and she better watch out....for you.

Puppy proof your house and keep things you don't want chewed put away. Don't leave garbarge where she can get to it. I actually hesitate to say use a crate because I'm concerned you will use it punish her more. Supervise her, and when she picks up something you don't want her to have, redirect her to something she CAN have and praise her for chewing on it.

Make sure to take her to obedience classes that use positive reinforcement methods and you will learn how to develop a good relationship with her.

[kittycat]

Your dog needs to be told off as she is doing the bad things. If you come home and punish her for making the house a mess, she isnt going to understand what shes doing wrong. If you are home with her and she does something bad like grabs a cd to chew on tell her NO, and direct her to something else.
I do think your pup is too young to be home alone unsupervised.

[kittycat]

i meant home alone and lose..you should crate her when you leave the house.

[Anne]

robjen: Please take note of the excellent advice given by Moondog. The advice and explanation is right on the money.

I hope Moondog's post has made you realise that you are not doing right by this puppy. She should never be punished at all.

Your relationship with the dog is bound to end in disaster if you continue on the way you are going. She has already learned to fear you and things will get worse from now on unless you learn how to raise this pup.