Puppy advice needed

This poster has excellent advice. It's a puppy's nature to chew when he's teething, just like a human baby's. Dogs can't be blamed for acting like dogs if no one has taught them any better! My friend has a year-old Lab who isn't out of the chewing stage yet, and she crates him whenever she leaves him home alone, and at night. Crating a dog can be the best thing for them, but never use the crate as punishment. It should be a place they are willing to go and feel secure in.

Actually we just got a crate, or whatever you want to call it, today. So I am going to start penning him when we leave and go to bed. Also any advice on what will keep him entertained? We have got rawhide chew stickx and bones and a couple of balls, but we are unsure what will help keep him occupied. Oh and we have a stuffed squirrel.

A lot of dogs enjoy the different kinds of Kongs that you can fill with goodies and freeze and give only for when the dog has to be in the crate. Nylabones are often good and safe to keep in a crate. Make sure he is properly exercised too so he's tired and will want to sleep. I wouldn't give him rawhide in the crate as dogs really need to be supervised when chewing it in case they swallow something too big. Have heard several people's dogs that have had to have surgery after eating rawhide, so it's up to you if you feel comfortable enough giving it. I give it to my dog but I know he is a careful chewer. Just a heads-up but he will likely whine and bark at first when being put into his crate. It's very important that you do not let him out or even tell him to be quiet when he whines/barks/makes a fuss as that will make him believe that's the way to get out/get attention from you. Look up crate training if you haven't already but the basics is just keep him in for just a few minutes and only let him out when he is quiet and gradually increase the time. I got my pup used to the crate by simply moving him in there every time he fell asleep elsewhere as well as feeding him in it and that worked good too. He has never had an interest in any toys I've put in the crate for him cause he knows it's his place to sleep.

So what are you saying I should just suck it up and let him continue to chew? I don't think so. I was just hoping for a few tips to help stop the chewing. Thank you for responding but this doesn't help

No, I don't mean just let him chew, when he starts to go towards the tree, say his name and say no, then if he stops even for a second, give him one of his toys and praise him, he will start to get the idea. There are some breeds that are 'chewers' more so than others. I had a Golden Retriever that never chewed up anything, but the bassett was forever getting into trouble. You just need patience and consistancy in training.

Sorry about that comment I guess I was still irritated about finding all of the things he chewed up and I apologize for my brash attitude. He is just my first younger puppy my dogs were always at least a year old and partially trained when I got them in the past. Again I apologize.