She won't stop eating the carpet?

Question

I have a 7 month old Pit Bull at home. I love her to death but she will NOT stop tearing the carpet up! She tears it up and eats the green foam stuff under it. I really have no idea what it'll do to her or why she likes it so much.

I have spent over 200$ in toys and bones and she STILL does it. We take her out every two hours and she gets plenty of attention but whenever we leave her alone for like 30 minutes my carpet is gone.

I've tried using Bitter Yuck, salt, pepper, vinegar, yelling at her, hitting her (on the butt, I refuse to beat my dogs) , ignoring her. EVERYTHING.

Can anyone help me? How do I make her stop?

Answer 1

I seen that you said you take her out, but do you walk her? She needs to walk no matter how big your yard is. That should wear her out and then she might not tear at the rug.

Answer 2

For now you should crate her when not home and continue with training when you are home.   Sounds like separation anxiety...they have some great books or web site on correcting the issue

Answer 3

It seems to me like she is bored. I would suggest taking her for long walks. My Doberman used to do that as well. Also crate her when you are not home. My Doberman learned real fast after he was crated a few times. He actually ripped my kitchen floor up all in front of the door to the middle of the kitchen. lol We had to replace the whole thing. He was 7 months old when he did that. When they are bored they do stuff like that. I also want to say that sometimes i think they do it cause they are mad that you left them, but that is what dogs do when they have nothing else to do. lol :)

Answer 4

Try getting a spray bottle and spraying her either with air or water when she does it, give her treats when she stops and walks away. Maybe get something that makes a high pitched sound that your dog wont like and make it go off when she starts chewing on the carpet. She'll learn quickly this way. She'll eventually give up and will get out of the habit and you won't have to worry about it anymore. Don't give up, it'll be easier to get her out of the habit when she's a puppy. Good luck! :)

Answer 5

Get new carpet  there could be something with a crazy scent that it likes or maybe it tastes good Get new Carpet!

Answer 6

"(on the butt, I refuse to beat my dogs)" Thats very good, especially for a bull dog.  Can you purchase some rugs?  That stuff under the rug is the padding.  It goes down before the carpet does.  I do not think it's ok to eat it.  How long has it been down?    That stuff gets really dirty over the years.  I can only suggest purchasing some of those little rugs.

Answer 7

Can you block her off from the carpet?  Try putting some baby gates up.  I'd also try pulling gently, but firmly on her collar and say NO.  Give her a toy and when she takes it, praise her.  Eventually, if you are consistent and patient she will get it.

Answer 8

Like many undesirable canine behaviors, destructive habits usually develop because a dog is bored, lonely, or both. It's not fair or realistic to expect your dog--especially a working breed --to spend long hours quietly sitting and waiting for your return. By nature dogs are curious and sentient beings; see that she has enough mental and physical stimulation to minimize the impulse to dig and chew.

Here's how to treat this problem http://dogtime.com/chewing-digging-behav...

Answer 9

You've got to start putting her in a doggie carrier when you leave her alone.  It wouldn't be my first choice either but if she tears things up while you're gone it's really the only answer.  

I know several people who leave their dogs in them while they're gone to work every day.