[M.D. Holloway]

my Choco Lab was like that at first, he was a rescue pup - got him when he was 3. Some one tried to make him a bird dog but he is more interested in play and other dogs. He would eat everything. He must have chewed through 14 pairs of Yellowbox sandals, a remote a month, various items that escape memory. A true PITA

I as told they chew / eat due to anxiety - some breeds are more anxious than others. Makes no difference - the behavior was unacceptable and had to stop.

Now I know everyone has different techniques, I shall share mine. Dogs are pack animals and respond to a leaders direction. They do want to fit in and want to be lead. Thats a good basis so when you train them you have to respond to some basic level of correction - not punishment. In the pack the leader doesn't punish he corrects He does so to indicate disapproval of behavior - this doesn't mean a swat or in a dogs case a bite. A nip is severe correction if it is coupled with a growl. Keep that in mind.

So - step one, establish Alpha. Easy to do at first. Take him for a walk, use a correction lead (choke collar), keep him on your left, about 3 feet out - not ahead of you (that means your giving up Alpha to be lead), keep him to your side. Now walk him. He will stray and or try to lead. Correct him. No Verbals! Pull on his lead sharply to the side as to create imbalance - dogs hate being off balance. You don't have to keep pulling merely enough to throw him off balance. He will associate his action with that action and won't like it. He will know that his place is not to lead. When you stop he must stop and be in a sit. If not - correct. This has to be done for at least 15 minutes a day. When he does good - love on him. He has to know.

Dogs need exercise, discipline and affection - not unlike kids!

This simple walking training session establishes a few things, it teaches him his place but it also tells him what is acceptable and what is not. Now, you can use this same method with items of chew interest around the home.

With the lead on, present something to him. He will sniff it and thats ok but the moment he opens his mouth for it you are to correct him which is a sharp pull to the side to get him off balance and release just as quickly. Again, don't say anything. He may look at you - blank stare him. You may have to repeat this for several minutes. If you do this several times a day he will quickly get the idea. Use different objects. Also, offer him one of his chew toys without correction. He may get the idea what is good to chew and what is not.

If by chance he does begin to chew something he isn't supposed to outside of this session - correct it quickly and couple it with a firm know. This means you may have to keep a short lead on him at all times for a few days. The harsh verbal coming from Alpha helps.

This technique worked on my Lab - can't say its fool proof and its not the only one