Our 1 year old Lab has a bad habit that he started about 3 months ago. Whenever we leave him to himself he would bite the window sill. Sometimes it happens when we are home too. Usually there is at least 1 person home, but that person doesn't pay attention to our dog, so our dog would go to the window and start to chew on it.
For the past three months it has been bite, fix, bite, fix, bite, fix... We started to wonder if we aren't fit to have a dog. We are deciding to find a better home for him, but I'm trying to hold on to the last bit of hope. I really want him to say with us, but I'm probably being selfish. He might have a better life with a better family. Please help. Thanks.
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It does sound like he's super bored.
A lab needs up to an hour walk per day. You can split this into two half-hours per day. If you're only doing a half hour three days a week or similar it is not enough.
When you get home can you play fetch or another similar game for 20 minutes? Then 20 more minutes later? Labs love water play as well.
The dog should visit and play with other dogs, like at the dog park, about once a week so he doesn't lose his dog social skills.
It's great that you recognize your limitations with your dog. You can do one of two things: Step up your game and really spend the time with him, or, if this is not possible, find a home for him with someone active.
My dog is an 80 pound pit at 8 months. Yes I know he has mastiff in him to. The only thing he tears apart is his bedding.
This is a different situation.
Chewing on windowsills/doorframes is an obsessive behavior often caused by boredom.
Many normal dogs, however, rip open soft toys or bedding and pull the stuffing out. It's an instinctive hunting related behavior.
This is kind of gross, but- in the wild, a dog pack takes down an animal and opens the abdomen, then removes the internal organs.
You may want to just use old blankets from Goodwill for your dog. No expensive beds or cushions.
Many dogs go through life sleeping on the ground, so they don't really need beds anyway.
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