August 22, 2023
My rescued pitbull's oral fixation is getting worse and is becoming a problem, which course should I take?
Full Question:
Hello!I have a 20 month old pit bull mix that I rescued. Her oral fixation is getting worse. Please let me know which course I could take to work with her. It is becoming a problem.
Thank you!
Cindy's Answer:
How long have you had her? What exactly is she doing that constitutes an oral fixation?
User Response:
I have had her for 4 months now. She would every now and then chew up her bed/toys anything that she could manage to pull into her crate. Now she is physically moving the crate to get whatever is nearby. She managed to grab some wires that she did chew up. It has become a daily occurrence. I read the section on chewing/misbehaving. I will be taking her out more to exercise and spending additional one on one time with her. Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.
Cindy's Answer:
I wouldn't say this is so much an oral fixation as a learned behavior that some dogs will show when frustrated by a barrier (crate or exercise pen)
Believe it or not I have a 4 lb Chihuahua that does this. She will scoot her exercise pen all over the kitchen floor and stick her arms through to drag stuff in.
One way to help is to anchor her crate or ex pen so she can't move it around. Some of our customers use an eye bolt in the wall or floor and a 2 ended snap so the crate is anchored. One of my friends took the ends from weights (like barbells) and zip tied them to the bottom of the crate on 4 sides so the dog couldn't slide it around. You might also consider a different style of crate.
It's likely more a form of anxiety so physical exercise is good but mental stimulation (training ) and making sure she has appropriate safe items to chew on in her crate will all help.
We have a free course that may be helpful, I've added the link From the Rescue to the Home with JJ Belcher
Good luck with her!
Believe it or not I have a 4 lb Chihuahua that does this. She will scoot her exercise pen all over the kitchen floor and stick her arms through to drag stuff in.
One way to help is to anchor her crate or ex pen so she can't move it around. Some of our customers use an eye bolt in the wall or floor and a 2 ended snap so the crate is anchored. One of my friends took the ends from weights (like barbells) and zip tied them to the bottom of the crate on 4 sides so the dog couldn't slide it around. You might also consider a different style of crate.
It's likely more a form of anxiety so physical exercise is good but mental stimulation (training ) and making sure she has appropriate safe items to chew on in her crate will all help.
We have a free course that may be helpful, I've added the link From the Rescue to the Home with JJ Belcher
Good luck with her!
User Response:
Thank you! I appreciate your input.
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