Actually, I'm not. (Ask my six siblings.) But thank you for thinking so!

There are definite pluses to adopting green (or just badly-trained) adults. It's not all minuses.

Also, it has come to the point where I just never learned about puppies.....

Guys. Thanks again for all your help. It's taken a little while but Duke has gotten used to the crate. I can leave in the morning without any crying or barking. Progress!

He did get out once - my sister crated him that day and didn't lock it properly so he was able to squeeze out. He got into some food but there was no major destruction.

Again PROGRESS!

Thanks all for your help and support. This forum was a life saver.

Well. I'm back again. For some odd reason my boy has gone back to his unwanted behavior!!

It seems I never really fixed the problem. Here's the story. Duke has begun to get out of the crate again. In the last two weeks I have been through three. His original one is completely destroyed, but not before he badly battered his snout.

He's doing the same destructive behavior as before. Many things in the house have been destroyed. I am at my witts end and don't know what to do.

I'm beginning to wonder if a lot of what I do with him is wrong. (I have a Greyhound and she is not destructive and is given the same privileges as Duke). Duke is glued to my hip. The only place he won't follow me is the bathroom. When we are home together, he lays on the couch next to me, usually with his head on my lap. When we go to sleep, both dogs sleep on the bed. He is usually up by my head and Duchess (greyhound) at my feet. Honestly I love having them with me. Do I need to change this in order for Duke to start behaving?.

I no longer am walking them twice a day. My knees can't handle it but we go every nite for about 3 miles. I have tried the morning but it did not change his behavior. He eats twice
a day and I even tried elimnating his morning meal and feeding him twice as much at night.

I have also tried playing fetch and other games in the yard to wear him out. He is not interested. I'm realizing that he is not a high energy dog because as long as he is with me he will sleep and be calm. The only real trouble I have is when I leave and am not home.

Help. Help.

What kind of crate are you using now? Still the folding wire one? I think it's time for a change, if you are going through them like that.

He is now loose in the house when you're gone?

Exactly what daily activities do you do with him? What kind of short motivational training sessions? How many? Every day?

What does he do before you leave in the a.m. Potty only, or what?

How long did you try doing the walk in the mornings instead of the evenings?

He is about a year or a year and a half old?

Please outline his typical day.

I had changed to an airline style crate but he busted out the door after a week. Also used a muzzle but he figured out how to get it off and then destroyed it! I am back to wire because it has worked in the past.

Duke is now about 1.5 years and my long term concern is that he definitely does not like being crated and now that he has learned he can get out, he will try at all costs. He is definitely destressed when I get home. Now he is loose but not by my choice. Everyday I come home to a huge mess.

Duke, Duchess and I were walking twice daily for about three months. So we got up, they go out to the yard potty, then they eat and about a half hour later we walked for about 2 miles. Duke usually wears a weighted back pack - 2 lbs. I walk fast because the walks are about wearing him out so the two mile walk is done in about 20 minutes (I've lost 15 lbs!!).

I shower and then he gets crate befored I leave. He was going in on his own for awhile because he always gets a kong or a nylabone with peanut butter. (when I'm home I leave the door open and both dogs freely go in and out looking for food in there.)

When I come home - same rountine - potty in the yard, food and
walk - this one three miles. When I have the energy, we still some times go twice a day. This last week we've been doing both to try to drain his energy.

Duke is not allowed to eat unless he works for it. Must always sit, down, leave it. He now sits on his own so I vary the leave it time.

I guess in general no motivational training. Honestly its hard with two dogs. They feed off each other's energy - generally Duke is more obedient than Duchess. For example, they can't come in the kitchen when cooking or eating. Duke will stay out Duchess won't, I'm constantly taking her back out again.

Duchess loves to run in the yard so daily they are let out for "play". Usually Duke gives up after a few minutes. I've tried helping the process by introducing toys but again, he gives up after a few minutes. He just wants me. We also tried the dog park. Duchess can go for hours but Duke finds a spot in the shade to lay down after 10 minutes!

I do plan on highering a dog trainer as soon as the holidays are over. Obviously I need help.

He needs more to do-----fast-paced.

You really have to do motivational training. 5 minutes every hour or two when you are at home is going to make a difference in his destructive behavior (from frustrated energy) as well as his general behavior.

And you are also doing chuck-it or some other fetch but he's not interested? Then you have to interest him. He can be trained to fetch, and then REWARDED.

And if he's not interested in rewards, do it when he's hungry.

Do it with just him. He wants time wth you: That's time with you, you don't run but he does, and he gets worn out and rewarded.

When you and he are on the couch, BTW, put HIM to work. Sit, Down. Bring. Tricks. Anything.....

P.S. What is the daily huge mess, BTW?

Is he ripping up furniture? Or tipping trash?

Tipping the trash and bringing it through the house. Dumping potted plants. Ripping furniture. 2 couches and a chair already. Tearing off bed sheets. Eating paper. Wicker baskets. Eating anything wood including a Dura Dlame log. You name it he got it!

My other dog wants time with me too. I know I'm personifying her feelings but she watches from the door and wants to come out too. I feel bad. Duke gets a lot of time mainly because he asks for it and Duchess doesn't.

Thanks Connie. I'm not ready to give up yet but close.

I work, own a home, live by myself, have a bad back and knees. The walking kills me some days but I do it for them. They need it and want it. He has become a full time job!

Do you have doors? Bedrooms closed off, trash outside or in a lock-lid can, plants put up.....

And you don't have to do all the walking if you teach fetch. Do you have a dog-walking service in town (I'm sure you do)?

***** And you need a better crate! *****

This can DEFINITELY be fixed. Maybe a trainer will be better at being the second set of eyes on the situation. :>

Have you though about consulting a proffesional trainer or behaviorist?

I have a diffuser I bought for Nico when it storms or when i have to be gone for the day, I cant remember what it is called but it releases some sort of hormone/pheremone to help calm them. In the past I had to resort to doggie valium for her to ease separation anxiety. I hated to use the medication but a brand new couch was enough motivation.

We use locking trash cans in a gated kitchen, close all doors to bedrooms, houseplants are out of the question with cats but i suspect the dogs as well. Basically even with a 2 year old Loki I still have to puppy proof or he gets into stuff and hoards it outside even though he doesnt destroy it, drives me nuts!