Dogs Training Blog

I adopted a dog from the pound back in May. She is a wonderful dog my baby, and my love. I have noticed the tall tell signs of abuse from previous owner (but I can’t prove anything). When I go to pet her, her head goes down. And many times, but not always her tail is tucked between her legs, and of course the biggest symptom of all, submissive urination. She is very playful with me and has lots of energy, she sleeps with me everyday (I work Nights) she will rest her head on my shoulder or curl up next to me in bed. So on to my question. I work 12 hour shifts at the Coal Mine, and have a one hour commute one way so I am gone for 14 hours a day. I don’t work everyday but she is left alone for long hours. When I am home she has all my love and attention. I live alone so she stays alone when I am gone. I have two problems with her. When I am gone she chews everything, and also poops everywhere. If I put her in a cage or training pin that solves the pooping thing but I want her to eventually have free roam of the house and I want to not worry that there will be poop and everything chewed up when I come home. She is an indoor dog, I have heard you can actually train a dog to use a litter box. I tried the pads but those just get chewed up. I have to replace the carpet in one room because she has chewed and dug up to the tackless strips. Any advice for helping out with the destructive chewing / pooping? I don’t want to keep her in a training pin or cage for that long a time. This one has me stumped. My friend years ago in NY lived way up in a high rise building and had her dog trained to use a litter box, and would roam the house free and not poop or chew stuff up. So I know it can be done, I just don’t know how to do it.

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