Expert: Kaza - 12/10/2007

Question
Ok my son benny the bichon has always had a chewing problem. He is three years now and i would say this is the only thing he does bad. It started with underwear and socks and progressed to blankets pillows furniture and now himself. Thousands of dollars later after furniture, rugs and everything else of chewable value has been destroyed it is the chewing of his beautiful fur that is the limit for us. It only seems to happen when we leave or when he is bored. I am home all the time i might leave the house for two hours a day. please help us.

Answer
Hi there Benny your wonderboy has separation anxiety and this is very common for all toy breeds.
What must be done now is go back to basics and treat him as a puppy, leave for only very short spaces of time (less than 5 mins ) then return, increase weekly not daily.
Entertain him in his crate with music and squeeky toys, use a sock stuffed with dried meats, tie both ends and make him sniff it out I call it the sock rat, after all a Bichon is a terrier. He will enjoy the kill and shake it from side to side.
Buy him a treat dispenser that only dispenses treats when he rolls it correctly, items like these are invaluable to entertain a doggy that simply misses you.

If he isnt crate trained he needs to be, think of it like this, the crate is just a den, a place of safety for him to retreat into whenever he chooses. TRUST me he will love it and you will to given a very short space of time.

I have often found that dogs lsike this are highly strung and a change to a raw food diet is usually a better option , it calms them and they dont get high from the food additives seen in many commercially based foods.
Look at bravofoods in USA they do a great range.
I have mine (18) of them and they all love to listen to the radio station of a day, they particularly like easy listening music .
Wash him presently with an oatmeal based shampoo with some lavender this will calm him alot and aid your retraining programme.

For more indepth info in particular about this problem please go to my global Bichon site
www.eurobichons.com

Its free  to use and will be an invaluable tool for training and all health matters

Good luck and have a happy holiday season