Ideas for your lab: he/she is stressed & bored. Chewing in an adult dog (older than 18 months) indicates that.
1- Go to Petco or other similar store & purchase a variety of chew toys.. cloth, Kongs, rawhides, marrow bones, etc. find what he/she will LOVE to chew on, but doesn't destroy!! Each dog is different.. I have had 9 foster dogs & the 4 that were chewers all had different preferences.
What she doesn't like consider donating to your local rescue, us foster parents love donations like that
2- S/he needs exercised... long walks 20-30 minutes 2x a day will go a long ways towards burning off some of that excess energy.. tired dogs don't chew
3- as far as the separation anxiety, the exercise will help with that a lot as well. If she's sleeping when you're gone..s/he's not missing you. Try leaving the radio or TV on.. if you have digital video camera... let it run & record some night when you are home washing dishes, talking, cleaning, whatever ... and then let that video play in the TV while you're gone.
Kenneling them while your gone in a place where she fels secure may help as well. I was never a 'kennel' person until I got foster dogs and it is amazing how much security having their own 'den' gives a dog. you can get an xtra large wire kennel that fits labs, at the same petstore for about $100. put a night shirt or something with your scent on it in with her/him the first few times. Put her/him it in for short times to start with when you are there. Gradually building up the time s/he is in it.
I start by placing a new foster into the kennel(it's back up against one wall with an entertainment unit on one side & the recycling boxes on the other so it is a 'den' & helps with the secure feeling they have) and I just sit in a chair nearby reading for about an hour or so. They get a treat every time they go in and they have to 'sit' before I let them out.. so there is no rushing out when the gate is opened.
well.. that's a bunch to get you started! Let me know if I can help more. good luck with your move & getting your lab settled.!
Bridge
Divorced 03/2010 Mom to two amazing kids
Taking the road less traveled because those encountered on the way may be just as unique.
