Protecting Interior Network/Power Cables From Puppy

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Protecting Interior Network/Power Cables From Puppy

alasta

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#298669 6-Jul-2022 10:42

My friend has a new puppy who has a nasty habit of chewing on cables. Her router and power point are about 1.5 metres away from where Chorus have installed the ONT, so she needs something to protect the power and network cables that run between them.

I was thinking of some conduit like this but it looks like it's designed for outdoor use so it might not be flexible enough, or easy to cut to size. Alternatively maybe we could use cable clips to secure the cables along the wall but that doesn't entirely mitigate the risk.

Does anyone have any other ideas? Is there any sort of thick material that you can use to wrap cables to protect them?

Dynamic

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#2938746 6-Jul-2022 10:48

I used something similar recently. It's semi flexible, and easily cut to size with a sharp knife. Perhaps go and check it out in person and gauge for yourself.

Chewing cables is of course a safety issue. Hiding the cables does not solve the problem, and just makes it less frequent. Not having had a puppy or had close friends with one, I don't know if the behaviour will be grown out of, or if training/correction of some kind is required to prevent the puppy harming itself or causing someone else to be harmed by exposing wires.

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mattenz

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#2938751 6-Jul-2022 11:00

Those conduits are more in-wall use than outdoor. Something like this is what you'd generally use.

BlueOwl

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#2938754 6-Jul-2022 11:03

They eventually grow out of it, but it can take a while. Mains power cables are especially hazardous when chewed.

Applying Vicks Vaporub to the cables seems to do the trick, and it teaches them to not chew on cables.

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#2938762 6-Jul-2022 11:24

Yeah, dogs tend to hate Vicks etc, our lab screws up his nose at it and walks away whenever we have it out :D

Will leave funny smell in the house tho for a little while :)

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mdf

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#2938765 6-Jul-2022 11:29

mattenz:

Those conduits are more in-wall use than outdoor. Something like this is what you'd generally use.

You can also get square trunking. Depends on the skirting profiles, but I've found this to blend in a bit better. You basically screw the hollow section to the wall (could also using mounting tape for shorter runs), run the cables through it, then pop the cover on. Which is much easier than trying to get a 240V plug through conduit!

Another option might be to drop it down to floor level and add a rubber cord cover.

rscole86

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#2938800 6-Jul-2022 13:14

As mentioned, conduit etc doesn't solve the problem.

Is the puppy teething or just bored?

Find some teething toys, more than one, and swap them out so they think it's a new toy.

If it's boredom they'll need to work on stimulation, eg brain games for the puppy.
Positive reinforcement works best for training, have they tried training the puppy to leave it? Even simple food rewards when they respond to their name could be enough to remove any interest in the cables

Last resort would be solutions like Vicks etc.

neb

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#2938870 6-Jul-2022 15:30

rscole86: Positive reinforcement works best for training, have they tried training the puppy to leave it?

Or negative reinforcement, e.g. clap your hands once or twice next to them when they do it. This also works for other behaviour, e.g. pets jumping on tables or other things where they shouldn't be.

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#2938873 6-Jul-2022 15:37

BlueOwl:

They eventually grow out of it, but it can take a while. Mains power cables are especially hazardous when chewed.

Applying Vicks Vaporub to the cables seems to do the trick, and it teaches them to not chew on cables.

I know someone in Aussie who used Tiger Balm Muscular Rub Extra Strength which did the trick with his pet rabbit chewing on cables. Just the smell seemed to do the trick. You don't have to coat the whole length, just dab every 4cm or so. You also end up with a pleasantly smelling room 😀

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

neb

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#2938883 6-Jul-2022 15:43

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#2938885 6-Jul-2022 15:55

I can't strongly enough recommend that puppies are trained with a crate. You can find plenty of information on that online.

We had a German Shepherd, and in 15 years we had one instance of something we didn't want chewed (inside) being chewed. Initially when my sister, a vet told me about it, I was horrified, but it's a safe happy place for them to spend the time when they aren't with you.

littlehead

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#2938888 6-Jul-2022 16:14

If you are looking for something more flexible automotive split loom/tubing could be an option. Comes in a variety of diameters, easy to cut and work with. Not sure how teeth resistant it would be in the long run but probably okay for a temporary solution.

alasta

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#2938973 6-Jul-2022 20:39

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your help. It looks like the basic cable cover or trunking is what we need.

We are definitely conscious of managing the puppy's behaviour but we just need an interim solution to the cable chewing problem. She will be able to get out more after the two week wait period that applies to her vaccinations, which will definitely help with keeping her stimulated.

JayADee

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#2939180 7-Jul-2022 13:48

Get some chews of some kind. I like the hard kind of bully sticks (dried bull penis) because they last the longest. My dog likes the smelly ones sold at pet.co.nz They're made in NZ. Also restrict the pup's room access when they can't be supervised using a baby gate etc