Puppy Proofing or Redirecting

Kittilicious · 10-05-2011, 09:41 AM

Who is right? Me or my husband? I got my butt chewed out yesterday for leaving my tennis shoes next to the table (where they usually are

) because Knuckles started chewing on them. As soon as I saw Knuckles chewing, I said "No!", moved the shoe away from him and replaced it with one of his toys, which he happily started chewing. Hubby thinks I should just put my shoes somewhere so the puppy cant get to them... along with anything else he shouldn't chew (puppy proofing). I told him that I am trying to teach him what he can chew on and what he can't... hubby thinks I'm wasting my time. "It would be a lot easier just to put everything up so he can't get to it". My reply to that was "He chews on the legs of the kitchen table, where do you suggest I put that?"

So who is right? Should I be puppy-proofing or teaching him chewing redirection now?

**Cassidy's Mom** · 10-05-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittilicious

Should I be puppy-proofing or teaching him chewing redirection now?

Yes.

chelle · 10-05-2011, 10:43 AM

I think you're both right!

I might leave a couple things out that you don't care about much so you can catch and correct/redirect, but I'd also puppy-proof most things for now. You didn't mention how old the pup is, so not sure how far along in teething you might be?

zyppi · 10-05-2011, 10:49 AM

pup is just doing what comes naturally - at this stage.

I'd put temptation out of the way -- and nothing beats worn sneakers as a temptation, until he's a bit older.

Chewing stuff usually disappears on it's on as pup matures.

kiya · 10-05-2011, 10:59 AM

Redirecting is wonderful. But coming from someone who has been wearing designed by "puppy chew" boots, sneakers, slippers puppy proofing is much better.
When Lakota got the back heel of one of my boots that I use for riding my motorcycle, I couldn't bring myself to fork up $200 for another pair, I am still wearing them. Hopefully santa will bring me a new pair this year.

billsharp · 10-05-2011, 11:04 AM

Puppy proof, but re-introduce gradually items that can withstand a little chew here and there before you catch pup and redirect him, so pup realizes some things are just off-limits. Liesl now ignores those tasty flip-flops, pillows, newspapers, etc.

Kittilicious · 10-05-2011, 11:16 AM

Well that sucks. I don't want to tell the hubby he is right! (can we just keep this between us?)

I should have added that I have puppy proofed to an extent (power cords, etc). I just wanted to prove I could teach him to leave my shoes alone.

kiya · 10-05-2011, 11:32 AM

You know what the worst thing for me is...Lakota is 21 months old. In those 18 months we have had her here is the shoe/boot count:
Hubby - 1 shoe, 1 sneaker (meanwhile his boots and sneakers are still by the front door)
Me - 1 boot, 1 sneaker, 1 sandal, 1 slipper, 1 shoe of course they are all my fault for leaving them where I took them off.
My husband laughed at me last night. I got home, my boots were damp from the rain and of course I didn't want to put them away wet so I put them on top of my dresser. He said "what a matter, don't you trust her" looking at his boots & sneakers by the front door. "NO I DON'T".
So she's been really good for teaching me to put my stuff away.

10-05-2011, 09:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kittilicious Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,101	Puppy Proofing or Redirecting Who is right? Me or my husband? I got my butt chewed out yesterday for leaving my tennis shoes next to the table (where they usually are ) because Knuckles started chewing on them. As soon as I saw Knuckles chewing, I said "No!", moved the shoe away from him and replaced it with one of his toys, which he happily started chewing. Hubby thinks I should just put my shoes somewhere so the puppy cant get to them... along with anything else he shouldn't chew (puppy proofing). I told him that I am trying to teach him what he can chew on and what he can't... hubby thinks I'm wasting my time. "It would be a lot easier just to put everything up so he can't get to it". My reply to that was "He chews on the legs of the kitchen table, where do you suggest I put that?" So who is right? Should I be puppy-proofing or teaching him chewing redirection now?

10-05-2011, 10:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
chelle Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,863	I think you're both right! I might leave a couple things out that you don't care about much so you can catch and correct/redirect, but I'd also puppy-proof most things for now. You didn't mention how old the pup is, so not sure how far along in teething you might be? __________________ Dolly Eskie 6/03 Suri Shiba 10/07 Bailey WGSD/Husky x 5/11 CGC Bailey's brother Tucker (rescue/foster dude) Tiger kitty '96 Information is power

10-05-2011, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
zyppi Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Back home to Louisiana! Posts: 4,946	pup is just doing what comes naturally - at this stage. I'd put temptation out of the way -- and nothing beats worn sneakers as a temptation, until he's a bit older. Chewing stuff usually disappears on it's on as pup matures. __________________ Anne Nothing is as simple as it seems or as complicated as we make it~ Attitude is everything -- Pick a good one! Sofie AKA Ussina vom Haus Brezel Jack von Jagenstadt Tatty - Burmese bad cat

10-05-2011, 10:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
kiya Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,913	Redirecting is wonderful. But coming from someone who has been wearing designed by "puppy chew" boots, sneakers, slippers puppy proofing is much better. When Lakota got the back heel of one of my boots that I use for riding my motorcycle, I couldn't bring myself to fork up $200 for another pair, I am still wearing them. Hopefully santa will bring me a new pair this year. __________________ Carolyn Apache - Shiloh Shepherd 12/15/02 Kiya - Shiloh Shepherd 5/15/04 Lakota - WGSD 1/13/10

10-05-2011, 11:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
billsharp Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Puppy proof, but re-introduce gradually items that can withstand a little chew here and there before you catch pup and redirect him, so pup realizes some things are just off-limits. Liesl now ignores those tasty flip-flops, pillows, newspapers, etc. __________________ Liesl, b. 1/1/11 Maxie, 1994-2009 King, 1963-1968

10-05-2011, 11:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kittilicious Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,101	Well that sucks. I don't want to tell the hubby he is right! (can we just keep this between us?) I should have added that I have puppy proofed to an extent (power cords, etc). I just wanted to prove I could teach him to leave my shoes alone.

10-05-2011, 11:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
kiya Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,913	You know what the worst thing for me is...Lakota is 21 months old. In those 18 months we have had her here is the shoe/boot count: Hubby - 1 shoe, 1 sneaker (meanwhile his boots and sneakers are still by the front door) Me - 1 boot, 1 sneaker, 1 sandal, 1 slipper, 1 shoe of course they are all my fault for leaving them where I took them off. My husband laughed at me last night. I got home, my boots were damp from the rain and of course I didn't want to put them away wet so I put them on top of my dresser. He said "what a matter, don't you trust her" looking at his boots & sneakers by the front door. "NO I DON'T". So she's been really good for teaching me to put my stuff away. __________________ Carolyn Apache - Shiloh Shepherd 12/15/02 Kiya - Shiloh Shepherd 5/15/04 Lakota - WGSD 1/13/10

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