My friend used that bell trick on his doberman. It hits a bell with its nose when she wants to go outside.

The chewing thing could be the dog acting out because he is alone for 2 - 3 hours. Some dogs don't like to be left alone period. You could think about getting him a friend to play with, or like a previous poster said; kennel him.

I'm thinking about the kennel.

Came home from golfing today to find an empty package of soap on the ground and some single coffee creamers chewed up on the ground and my sunglasses case.

also, you could put something that tastes really really bad over what he likes to chew most.

watch Its Me or the Dog on animal planet to see more info if they have a dog that chews on everything

I dont like to do it but get a muzzle show them what they chewed put it on after give them a chew toy or bone until they learn

shoot at him with a water pistol next time.

Foil - Kind of cruel
Water Bottle
Muzzle
Kennel

Crates are NOT cruel

As with anything if it is misused then sure it could become cruel.


Crates are a welcome escape for dogs and they LOVE them.

And of course a crate is the ONLY safe way for a pet to travel in a vehicle. It is like a seat belt or a child's seat for a child.

Any time you have to leave a pet for a short period a crate is the safest place for them to be while you are away.
Extended absences should be dealt with accordingly, either by having a dog walker, day care, pet sitter, boarding kennel, etc..

Yes o course of course. I leave for work at 3 and my dad is home at 5 at the latest. Aside from me going to play 9 holes of golf on Friday that is the longest he is alone. I'm going to be looking at crates on craigslist the next few days

Dude my room-mate has a 6moth old black lab and we are having the exact same problems, but he refuses to kennel the dog. We are trying to puppy-proof the house but here is a list of shit this dog has fucked up in the last WEEK.
2x pairs of $200 3d glasses
HDMI cable
ethernet cable
2x ipod ear buds
Ipod touch (my sisters)
All the cords from an xbox
2x ps3 controlers
Power cord to my 46'' flatscreen
My gfs new sneakers
Cord for a power drill
Chewing on legs on brand new fooseball table
My picknic table
Plus random household items, paper, cardboard, anything worth chewing