Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/22/2009

Question
WHAT CAN I PUT IN MY 7MONTH OLD BOXER CRATE SO HE CAN LAY DOWN ON WITHOUT DESTROYING IT? I'VE TRIED THE CRATE CARPET, CLEAN BED SHEETS, BIG SWIMMING TOWELS, BATHROOM RUG, A DOG BED ETC AND HE CONTINUE TO PULL APART AND EAT IT. AS SOON AS I SEE PIECES OF FROM THEM I IMMEDIATELY TAKE OUT OF HIS CRATE. NOW HE JUST SLEEPS ON THE PLASTIC PAN AND STARTING TO GET SKIN CONDITION SPOT ON HIS LEGS FROM THE CRATE PAN. HE'S IN HIS CRATE DURING THE DAY BUT OUT WHEN WE GET HOME. OH HE ALSO SLEEPS IN HIS CRATE TOO.

Answer
Your Boxer has separation anxiety and destroys the bedding due to anxiety.

Apparently, he is in the crate too much. Way too much.

If you are crating him during the day while at work, let him sleep on a dog bed at night-- not in the crate.

You are creating a monster-dog by crating him so much. It is not good for his welfare and his health.

If he chews up blankets too, then there is nothing to substitute.

I highly suggest fixing up a bedroom for him during the day with Nyla bones and KONG toys.

Puppy-proof the room just as you would baby proof it. Nothing in the room he can knock off, chew on, hurt himself with, etc.

That or, take him to a doggie daycare, or have a sitter come in and take him out twice a day and exercise him while you are away.