[rangeriffic]

My husband and I recently adopted a puppy from the local shelter. He was advertised as a "lab mix." However as he is growing he looks more like a red nosed pit or possibly a boxer. Whatever he is we will love him equally. The only problem with my little ranger is that he seems to have an affinty to all things paper. I cant leave him alone for 5 min without him tearing up the toilet paper or the newspaper or a magazine i happen to set down. I can understand if he was teething and chewing on my heels but this habit is driving me a little bonkers. Please give advice on how to break him of this habit...anyone know the dog whisperers number?

 

[Lolas_Dad]

You need to teach him the drop it command. How you do that is get something he would be more interested in such as a treat. Show him the treat let him sniff the treat when the paper is in his mouth. Tell him to drop it and as soo as he does give him the treat and praise him.

You could also do it with a toy. What you do in that case is take the toy hold it in your hand and then move it around and get excited so that he sees it. He will see it as something better and again tell him to drop it when the paper is in his mouth. As soon as he drops the paper then give him the toy and praise him.

 

[Keechak]

just because he may look part boxer or pit dosn't mean he isn't also a "lab mix" thats the beauty of mixed breeds they can look like anything in their parentage.

 

[tut078620]

My puppies went through that stage. But they eventually got bored with paper. My dogs got into a lot of stuff their first year, especially the pom. We just had to watch him and not let him do it. We also gave him a squeaky toy and he was so mesmerized by it trying to get the squeak out of the toy, I think it took his mind off of destructing things in the house.

 

[Dog Tracks]

A really big side benefit of teaching "Drop it" is that the dog begins to understand what is His (okay to chew on) and what is Ours (not okay to chew on).

It's probably just a stage of "Hey, a new taste and one that shreds up really nicely too!" but it's the perfect time to start the Drop It training.