Gundog help

[Attitude]

Hey guys,

For those of you that hunt..which is probably everyone on this site!....and have a gun dog, I have a ?

My weimaraner is the best dog ever! My only problem is with him chewing on power plugs when I'm not home. I have him in the basement and he likes to chew on the cord to my sump pump and others...aside from getting electicuted, I'd really like him to stop due to the rolls of electical tape I'm going through!

I used that spray deterrant and it words well. However, I don't want to have to run to Petsmart every week to buy another bottle. Does anyone know of a "home remedy" or their own recipe for a puppy deterrant that I can whip up?

Thanks!

[Mr B]

This is one that my breeder/trainer taught us for our Lab. She gave us these cans that are about the size of a soda can but they are made more like a soup can (hard tin) they have a handfull of pennies in them. Whenever you see the dog doing something you dont want him to do shake the can hard and say " Utt". This WILL stop him in his tracks. They do not like that shaker can. Even if you dont catch him in the act you can take him to the "damaged item" , shake the can and tell him whatever command you use, "No", "Ut Uh" or whatever.

Now if my Lab even thinks about doing anything bad I just show him the can (whitout shaking it) and he straightens right up!

It works very well. Some of the pet stores/Feed & Grain stores around me sell them, or you can probably make your own. Its worth a try. It worked for us.

Mr B

[Mallard]

I foster GSPs (German Shorthair Pointers) and usually have between 2 and five in the house, many who have never been inside before. I find they chew as a stress reliever and it is impossible to get them to stop althogether. I give them plenty (at least two or three per dog) of the hard (real bone) bones from the pet store, I also make some nylon bones available. I punish them for chewing on inappropiate items and them give them a bone instead. I have a plastic tub filled with bones so they can switch bones often, they seem to like that.

Also, make sure you dog is getting plenty of exercise. Lack of exercise and stimuation often leads to distructive behavor in these breeds.

Good luck

[Mallard]

I foster GSPs (German Shorthair Pointers) and usually have between 2 and five in the house, many who have never been inside before. I find they chew as a stress reliever and it is impossible to get them to stop althogether. I give them plenty (at least two or three per dog) of the hard (real bone) bones from the pet store, I also make some nylon bones available. I punish them for chewing on inappropiate items and them give them a bone instead. I have a plastic tub filled with bones so they can switch bones often, they seem to like that.

Also, make sure you dog is getting plenty of exercise. Lack of exercise and stimuation often leads to distructive behavor in these breeds.

Good luck

[Attitude]

Thanks for the reply!

Our problem is when we aren't around. When we're home, he's great. Never even tries to do something he knows isn't allowed...but when we're gone, the temptation is there and he's unsupervised...so he figures I'll never find out.....until my sump pump doesn't work of course!

I know this behavior won't last past his "puppy stage", but I'm looking for something I can put on stuff I don't want him to chew up...as a sort of back up plan in case he gives in to the temptation.

The spray I've been using successfully contains cayenne pepper...so I was thinking of making something using it....

[Mallard]

I used the bitter apple spray, you spray the item then spray the dog's tongue, they won't go near anything that smells like bitter apple after that. I only had to use it twice (both year old males), but it is very effective. I doubt you will need more than one bottle.

[Attitude]

Thanks for the reply!

Our problem is when we aren't around. When we're home, he's great. Never even tries to do something he knows isn't allowed...but when we're gone, the temptation is there and he's unsupervised...so he figures I'll never find out.....until my sump pump doesn't work of course!

I know this behavior won't last past his "puppy stage", but I'm looking for something I can put on stuff I don't want him to chew up...as a sort of back up plan in case he gives in to the temptation.

The spray I've been using successfully contains cayenne pepper...so I was thinking of making something using it....

[Attitude]

Thanks Mallard....I'll try the tounge spray as well!

[basskat]

Ammonia (not sure that's spelled right) will keep a dog out of garbage. Not sure how it'd work for a power cord.

[Travis]

I find the bittering agents don't work a bit. My lab and australian cattle dog drink the stuff down matter of fact it made it worse anything sprayed with it they really tore into it. I think the best solution is to buy the area shock colar set up. It protects an area 2 feet to 12 feet in diameter, runs 70 dollars at Pet Smart. Set it up next to the cord and the dog will get a mild shock when it encounters the perimeter. Works just like the hidden fence systems.