what should i do with him?

This post is from somebody who works with dogs full time:

This poor dog is totally crying out for attention, to muzzle a dog shouldnt be because he is ‘howling’ dogs howl because they are telling us they are lonely, I am here, I am worried and alone, why doesn’t somebody come to be with me? is nothing short of cruel…..

I wont comment on the exercise as I dont know the breed but from what I have read he needs more!

This dog is bored, this is why he is chewing the house, dogs have no perception of ‘items’ if they are bored they will chew whatever.

If not may I suggest the Dogs Trust!
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@kentlass19 wrote:

wow! thanks for the replies guys.

shaz and pats…thanks for posting this on your forums!

i seem to come across as a bad guy :lol: he’s only left for as long as we need to go out and work, which is generally 8am til 5pmish

the muzzle thing isn’t because of his howling, it’s a prevention method to control his unnecessary barking when we’re out…the landlord has threathened to evict us if he isn’t quietened down(he can still breathe and drink…and apparently chew things!…with it on.

as for the person that said maybe he misses his previous owner…my statement about him being my parents was a little misleading…while he was technically my mothers i lived at home and basically fed and had responsibility for him so no way he misses that old cow!

should i also have mention that we rescued him from someone that would tie and beat him???

The chinese have the right idea
you can hardly afford to feed yourself let alone some mangy flea ridden mongrel
and as for your dog

This is a difficult situation, the dog is definatly suffering from separation anxiety, firstly though i would suggest u think seriously about re-homing him if he is likely to be a problem with the new baby, for 2 reasons, 1 he will feel his place in the pack (your family) is threatened as your attentions will undoubtedly be centered around your child,and he will recieve even less attention than he does now, where some dogs may be ok being left alone for 9 hours a day he obviously is not and would be maybe happier in a home with company, and secondly for the safety of your new baby, if he did hurt the baby you would have to have him put to sleep which again isnt the best outcome.
Usually the first advice for dogs like this is to purchase a cage, you can get them from your local pet shop, it sounds cruel to some but it will become your dogs own space, a place where he can feel he can retreat if he wants and a place where he is safe from chewing up your house which will start breaking that habit also.
That said 9 hours a day in a cage is a bit much. he could do with being let out at least once for toileting and a run about during that time.
You can buy stimulating toys to keep your dog occupied while in the cage, a good option is a Kong its hard rubber and can be filled with many pastes or treats that they have to work at to get the food, though make sure u cut down any food intake to compensate so he doesnt get over weight.
Also dogs dont like laying in their own faeces or urine so the use of a cage is excellent to stop bad toileting habits or house training, but at the age of 10 it could be he is generally beginning to have incontinence issues especially trying to hold it for 9 hours a day.
I think boredom is a big issue here so maybe try doing some training as well as exercise with him when u are home even if its just teaching tricks its mental stimulation and better than nothing.
If he is an active dog he needs a good 2 hours exercise via walking or playing with a ball indoors or garden, as he is unable to be let off the lead, a day. But as previously stated 9 hours is a long time for him to be left without being let out to toilet at least, could u not get a neighbour to let him out or pop home in your dinner break ?
The cage thing u must start slowly though introduce him to it while u are there give him a kong and shut him away for maybe 10 minutes to start with or until he stops howling or barking, never respond by letting him out of it when he is barking as he will associate the barking and noise as getting what he wants, if it is a problem as long as he quiets for 1 minute let him out then and give him lots of praise and ignore the bad behaviour as much as possible , its hard to advise you without writing 15 pages here, but speak to a behaviourist they will clarify all this for you.

Has he still got his knackers ? maybe they need removing :shock: There is some guy on freeveiw that is good with dogs, maybe you should watch that it might help.

Eat him!

Shame you’re preggers and about to start Uni Kenty … doubt the 2 will mix.
Good luck anyway.