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Question:

From the velcro factor you describe, I wonder if she is trying to imitate the original "velcro dog," the Doberman (vbg).  Seriously, let her follow you around, stay as close as possible–she will bond all the sooner. Now as for the chewing.  In some ways, she is an untrained puppy, in that she has not yet been taught the rules of the household.  Do the same thing as you would with a puppy.  First, train yourself to remove all temptation from her reach.  Secondly, permit free access in increments, a room at a time, and only after you’ve spent a lot of time with her in that room. I commend you on realizing that it was your fault she had an accident in the house.  It’s annoying when you have to get to work on time, but make certain she urinates AND defecates before you leave the house. One more thing: sign up at an obedience class.  This is much preferable to an individual instructor because it does not sound as if you have any real problems with her, and the obedience classes can be fun.  Meanwhile, you will learn how to teach her what you want her to learn, and in sharing the activity and learning to attend to you, she will learn to bond more closely with you. Lots of luck, and give her a kiss from Avrama & Shomer .. nfx v2.7 [C0000] Our dogs–may we deserve them!                          

Response:

Hi, Jamie, Sounds like you’ve got yourself a fine girl in Mystic.  (What a combo – would love to see her.)  WRT her chewing of the ornament & shoe, I wouldn’t suspect that she thought they were toys, but rather she picked them up because they smelled like you.  As a rescue, she’s going to have some separation anxiety any time you or your wife "disappears" (in her mind, anyway) for a while.  You’ve given her a new home & a new lease on life, and (anthropomorphizing here a little) when you "disappear," she may fear abandonment, as if you’re never coming back – just like her last owners, whoever they may be.   My older German Shorthairs are both rescues themselves, and they required (and still require!) additional patience on my part with their various neuroses.  Kyle has been known to chew my fiance’s shoes, et al, many times, but in 6 years has never gone after mine; my SO & I have different temperaments, and my schedule is *very* regular, so perhaps Kyle has learned I ain’t going nowhere! Anything you can do to establish a regular schedule for her, so she begins to relax and accept that you *will* return, even from the bathroom!, will help.  E.g.: feeding in morning & evening at the same times every day; hopefully your/your wife’s work schedules are fairly routine; maybe leaving a radio on low (my boys like NPR!) or perhaps a nice dirty t-shirt you’ve worn several times might calm her (or she may chew on it to get closer to your scent, you never know), and a little extra patience will help ease her into her new life. Congratulations on your new girl.  I’m glad she picked you.  :-) Tracy Landauer & her two GSP rescue devils posted & emailed

Response:

My son has a dalmation.  He was full grown when he got him.  The dog is really a good dog  -  but he had the ‘chewing’ problem too. I know alot of people are against rawhide bones but it worked for Spauling.  The big ones. He uses it as a toy for a day or two and then gets to business and eats it. He usually gets it mainly when he’s alone.  (they get expensive).. It’s worked for several years now with no choking problems.    Susie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My wife and I have two cats, no children (yet), and one dog that we acquired > from the humane society two days ago — who we named Mystic.  The general > consensus is that she