Pup Problems

[Hobodog3]

This is our 3rd black lab.  We're having a few issues with him and we're hoping he'll grow out of some of them, but could use some advice in  the meantime.  First problem and most dangerous is his running away.  He'll stay with out for awhile and then just take off.  The funny thing is, he'll stop look at us over his shoulder and then keep running.  Now it's to the point were he won't even do that.  We got him an outdoor kennel, so now he spends his time in there.  We've never had to have any of our other 2 dogs on a leash or pinned up.  We bring him in and out quite a bit, but even the short distance from the kennel to the house, he has to be on a leash.   Any ideas on why he keeps running away?  

Second problem...chewing.  Yes, he is very much a puppy with his adult teeth.  We put a doggie house into his kennel.  The standard brown and white ones I see in lots of kennels.  Well I first he just decided that he wanted to rearrange his kennel, so he'd move it from one side to the other, front to back, then wanted it flipped upside down.  We gave up setting it back the correct way. Then he realized that the two pieces came apart and found himself enjoying a new game.  Again, we got tired of putting it back together, so we wired the two halves together.  Now he's chewing it apart pieces by piece.  Now it's just a top half with a wonderful skyview.  He's literally chewed the bottom half to pieces.  We've put blankets, pet pillows for him inside the little house to make it comfy, but each one gets to put piece by piece into the trashcan.   I'd like to get him another for protection from rain, snow, and temperatures, but I'm afraid the same thing will happen.   His kennel is full of pet chew toys and some dog bones...he'll have no part of chewing on them.   Any ideas on what to do to stop the chewing?  

[ShelleyRod]

I am wondering if you have had him fixed?  If he is not fixed that is part of the problem.  Also Labs are very needy of being part of the family.  If he is kept away from the other dogs and you for a long period of time he is going to act out.   They are very social and it seems like he is lonely.   I also bought a long leash and would have him sit and stay there until I called him.  It taught him that when I say come he has to come to me.   I place it further away as he learns.  That has really taught him that when I say come he comes to me.   I give him a lot of attention once he comes to me.  

It really seems like he is feeling left out.  He needs to be with the other dogs more and feel as part of the family.  

[hillbilly1]

When he runs away, does he go far? My Chesepeake Bay/Sheperd Mix does that, but he likes for you to chase him and try to catch him. If I just don't pay any attention to him, he will come back on his own. Maybe you should try to make a game out of it and see if he comes back or at least stays around. Also my dog will stay close to home if I am not out there with him. But as soon as I come out he thinks he's King Tutt and takes off. He doesn't really bother anything. Although, somehow he has lost his tags and I won't let him run until I get more. We're not suppose to let our dogs run here. So, sometimes I will let him run early in the morning and late in the evening when nobody is out and there isn't much going on at those times so he comes back in a little while and comes in on his own. My biggest problem with him is he still jumps on people and he is going on 3 yrs. old. Other than that he either stays in the house or in his outside kennel, depends on the whether. But I do use a leash to take him in and out. He doesn't fight me though.
Also, he may be doing all that chewing because he is mad at you for putting him in the kennel. My dog loves his attention. He wants to be a part of everything. If I don't pay attention to him when he wants me too. He will actually grab something that he knows he isn't suppose to have and take off with it, to get me to chase him or give him some kind of attention. He probably isn't chewing on his toys you gave him because that is okay. He wants your attention for some reason. Some dogs require more than others. The more attention I give mine the better he seems to listen and mind. Maybe you could try taking him on frequent walks, first with a leash and then maybe you could delete that later. On the other hand, it could be one of those situations where you may need to install an electric fence. I know what you mean though. Labs are wonderful family dogs and anyone that I've know that has one doesn't have a problem with it leaving  their yard much at all. Even though mine does leave the yard a little, he won't go to the bathroom anywhere but his own yard.