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Question QUESTION: I have an 8 month old Bichon who likes to chew furniture and anything she's not supposed to chew. I tried to teach her the Leave it command, but she doesn't listen. I have many toys for her but she insists on chewing the couch, wall, etc. I take her on 2 walks a day so she isn't bored. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: She is teething so unless you can distract her she will continue to chew on her favourite things, ie your couch.
Instead of simply saying leave it, use a toy or chew to distract her away from the couch.
Boredom has nothing to do with it in this instance but dominance has, it sounds as if she is already ruling you , a common fault of cuddly white doggy owners, it is very important that you get training right at this stage or, you will set yourself up for a right raw time of it.
Suggest that you attend puppy classes and do some training with her, before she trains you.
Please take a look at my site www.eurobichons.com
I have lots of owners there who can help you quickly , they have after all been in the same spot as you before.
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QUESTION: She has already lost all of her baby teeth and her adult teeth have grown in. Is she still considered teething?
Answer Most will end this at about 28 weeks, but if she has some retained deciduous canines then this is likely to continue, open her mouth have a closer look to see that all have erupted free from deciduous teeth and that all teeth have a clear route to its opening cavity.
Other than this then she is likely to be a little bored, stimul;ate her with the radio or sonme educational toys like a puzzle toy in which small pieces of food are placed inside, the ball is rolled by the dog , deposiing a piece, this encourages teh dog to interact. Also use a ball that you can record your voice onto, they are very entertaining and cheap but very good ways to stimulate a growing doggy.
Remember that a Bichon Frise is very much a little terrier so chewing is in its nature, what you need to do is control it.
