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Dog destorying our yard...
Hi everyone,
I ventured over to your board to hopefully get some help! We have a 5 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback. He is a very sweet dog, but just like most pups, he gets into everything. He is incredibly smart. He was completely potty-trained in 8 days (although I know the breeder had been working with him.) Anyway, he is just very high energy and recently has been completely demolishing our yard. He is mostly an inside dog, but he does go outside while I am out of the house. He has ripped the lattice off our patio borders, torn apart our palm tree...and his newest activity is digging holes all over the yard.
I take him on walks/runs every evening to tire him out. Is there anything I can do to stop this behavior before my husband evicts him...or worse?! Thanks in advance!
Re: Dog destorying our yard...
First of all, you can't expect a puppy left alone unsupervised in the backyard to just KNOW he's not supposed to rip/tear/dig. Dogs learn not to do these things through positive reinforcement of desired behaviors and redirection to appropriate activities when they're doing something they shouldn't.
Read the FAQs in the board header on training and NILIF.
Do not leave your dog outside when you're not home!!! If he can't be left alone inside the house (and I certainly was not letting my Boxer roam the house when she was only 5 months old), crate train him and keep him in the crate when you can't be there to supervise. It is a million times safer and more comfortable for him in there than leaving him outside in the heat/unpredictable summer weather. You're in New Mexico for God's sake. It's way too hot to be leaving a puppy outside for extended periods of time! To say nothing of the myriad risks your dog can be at outside (animal/insect bites/stings, which could cause allergic reactions, and if you're not there to catch it, could lead to serious complications; the dog jumping the fence/digging under and getting out/running away; cruel people poisoning your pup or stealing him [yes, it happens, often right under people's noses]).
Not to mention: your pup could be out there barking his head off when you're gone, annoying all the people around you, resulting in getting the police/animal control called on you (because most people aren't nice enough to alert you ahead of time that your dog's barking is annoying them).
When he's outside, supervise so you can redirect him and train him not to destroy things in the backyard. If you can't do that, don't put him out there. And definitely don't put him out there when you're leaving the house.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Thank you for your feedback. He has a crate that he sleeps in every night (in our bedroom) and he enjoys napping in there randomly throughout the day. I felt as though he would be more comfortable outside than locked up while I'm away. But after reading your posts, I agree with your concerns I will definitely start crating him while I'm gone.
The weather has been very nice where I live. We have a huge covered patio with ceiling fans. I would never leave him in conditions that were not comfortable.
Again, thank you for your response!
I agree with Lucky that the best way to keep him from destroying your yard is to supervise him any time he's out there and redirect him if he starts trying to dig/chew anything inappropriate. As long as you're providing enough exercise and mental stimulation (I see you take him on walks/runs, but I don't see any mention of the mental aspect, so you may want to add that via training, tricks, puzzle toys, games, etc.), it shouldn't be a problem to crate train him and have him in his crate any time you're away from home. Plus, it keeps him and your home safe.
If at some point you trust him not to destroy things in your house, you can always baby-gate him in a dog-safe room or even allow him to roam around inside the house (as Lucky pointed out, there are many dangers to leaving him unattended outside such that I wouldn't recommend it). Some dogs are fine with that; others need to be crated into adulthood - it depends on the dog.
YES to everything PP said. This is a puppy! I definitely second crate training inside for when you're gone.
Also, it sounds like the pup might just not be getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. I know you say you jog with him, but I'm pretty sure RRs are pretty high-energy when they're puppies. He might need more. And I would advocate more off-leash romping than on-leash running (which is considered "forced exercise" and isn't good for a lot of puppy joints)
There are also lots of good games and toys that can help with mental stimulation. Training is really good for this, too, and it helps build your relationship with your pup. Beyond that, everything that PP said.
Also, and this is just me being a bit of an animal fanatic, a partner who would give up a dog, risking potential euthanasia, just because they're being a normal puppy would get a serious side eye from me.
Ok WHEW! I've been dealing with a lot of surrenders for really crazy stupid reasons lately. I would definitely try crating and mental stimulation.
For us, doggy daycare really works, too. She gets to have tons of fun while we're at work, and is completely exhausted and happy the rest of the day.
I agree with PP's - do not leave your puppy outside unattended, ever. Even once he's a grown dog..not a good idea, for all the reasons previously listed.
I also second the idea for doggy daycare. It is fantastic, even if you can only afford one or two sessions a week. Great for tiring out those puppies, and socialization.
A crate is a great solution for you, for sure!
Just an FYI to consider, but dogs, no matter how much space they have, don't typically exercise themselves when left alone outside. They'll resort to destructive behaviors (like digging and ripping stuff up) out of boredom and then just find somewhere to flop and lie down. Not much energy burning going on!
Very glad to hear you'll be moving your pup inside when you're not home. Be sure to work on those commands/training as well to give him a good mental workout in addition to his walks, and he should start being much better behaved.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
I think you might have meant to put this in musac's thread above.
Good question though! That many times a day really is a TON of poo; way more than normal!
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
I did! Thanks!