I have nothing really to add except for trying a chewing toy like Kong, that might quell the chewing instinct.

Your dogs are beautiful!

I'm sorry this isn't helpful, but the husky picture really needs to be submitted to Loldogs!

Your dog eats books?? Blasphemy! I have an american bulldog and she does drool on the books that were (notice the were) by her water bowl, but thats about all the harm she has caused. I would think more about training the dog not to nom your precious volumes than hiding the books from the dog.

I'm an expert on this - we have two bullmastiffs. The coffee table - I wouldn't go with glass unless you can be sure the dogs won't use it as a stepping stone to reach the couch. If your dogs tend to chew corners of furniture, bring the coffee table home and spray any chewable spot with Arid Extra Dry. They HATE that stuff. I have two wool-hooked rugs (one from LL Bean and the other from Pottery Barn) and they have held up well. There are the occasional snags, but they are few and far between and I just trim the snags off. Book assaults are distressing. I have found squeezing the books as tight as I can into a shelf with the spines even works. That way the dog has less to grab hold of. Glass doors would be idea. I basically have nothing of great value much below 3 feet. Good luck!!!

A word about FLOR tiles-- we have two rambunctious dogs that love to wrestle together. FLOR tiles are great, but they have spread apart (at the seams) under the activity of the dogs. This was less of a problem when FLOR still had the tabs that held the rug to the floor instead of FLORdots. Nevertheless, they are easy to reposition and easy to clean. But I wished they held together better. I think some of it is the dog hair gets on the Dots and makes them not so sticky. As for the coffee table, we opted to go without. Prevents weirdness like the dog standing on the table or both dogs crashing into it.

When I have something I don't want my dog to get into, I put it up high or block it off.

But I have a pug.

I don't know how you're going to physically prevent a 100-pound dog from doing anything it wants to do.

You could get doors if you think your dog won't be able to figure out how to open them. But expect to find lots of noseprints and pawprints on the doors, and be warned that dogs have very dirty noses.

The other method for dealing with a dog who eats books is training. A friend of mine would recommend a positive reinforcement system - every time you spot the dog chewing on a book, tell it to stop and sit, then reward it for stopping and sitting. I have my doubts about the effectiveness of that. And I'm personally a fan of the yelling method - when my last dog would get into stuff he wasn't supposed to, I would whoop and holler like an Indian in an old Western and make all sorts of other ghastly noises that scared him away.

Either solution takes time.

Do you want to spend the next few months/years (depending on how long training takes) of your dog's life watching her closely and screaming when she goes near your books?? Or do you want to spend the next few months/years (depending on how quickly the dog catches on) of your dog's life wiping noseprints off the doors??

For the books and table: bitter apple spray *flip table over and spray thoroughly so you are hitting the tongue area when Goober tests chewiness* on the table and lightly sprayed on books crotch level and below. They say to spray daily; I found three days of spraying stopped a teether for good.

Leave one tied-up / messed up book on the shelf for Goober II - unsprayed. It's his book- not yours.

Flor tiles work better than area rugs in an apartment - smaller pieces that you can clean in your sink.
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I'd leave the shelves alone for now; glass doors break and wood ones would make the place look like a pantry. You may have to start heavily editing your books collection. Babies and their shit take up a bunch of space.

ps CONGRATS!!!!

Regarding the rug:

-- Don't worry about the rug sliding. Get a thin rubber rug backer to put under it. That'll keep any rug from moving around or bunching up.

-- Get the lowest-pile rug you can. Dogs playing tug on your rug will cause it to shed, shed, shed. I have this adorable brown shag rug from Pottery Barn and it sheds more than the dog!!

-- I personally was a bit disappointed in Flor tiles. If you go that route, I suggest you buy them from a store and not off the Internet. They look great in pictures but honestly I found them cheap-looking in person.

As for the books.....my dog has never chewed on books but she stole shoes a few times. I took some water bottles, filled them with coins, and placed them so grabbing a shoe would cause the bottle to fall on the floor. It scared the crap out of her and she stopped. You would need a lot of water bottles but it might help, if you like looking at the books.

Brother, I saw that shepherd and knew I had to chime in. My Lucy will be 11 on January 1, she is also the black and tan. Had her since 4 months old. "The horror, the horror." It took her until 8 years old to BEGIN to mellow, thank GOD when that happened.

It's the same thing you will learn with the new baby. Baby proof as the dog reaches each stage of development. Close doors for one thing, unplug most things, put the garbage up high when you leave the house. Most definitely buy a reel for your hose in the yard so they won't chew it up. Can't tell you how many hoses I went thru until I figured that out.

I bought an area rug and paid a mere $400 in y 2 k and the thing has held up and is in beautiful condition. I got it in a berry and teal and a very busy pattern. Very oriental rug. $500 is enough. Scotch Guard built in. The thing has held up and still is in terrific shape. Invest in a carpet steamer while you're at it. My rug has absolutely no stains underneath because of the built in Scotch Guard. The steamer handles any surface muck and odors.

Anyway baby proof for dogs as you will learn to do for the baby. With the baby it will come naturally. When you got the dogs you didn't have the baby so it didn't come naturally. The baby will chew on books or anything else within its reach. It will come to you as you go.

I DO go on. Thanks, Linda from Santa Cruz, CA

Crate training is one of the best ways to make sure your dogs don't get into things they shouldn't when you aren't around to supervise them.

I'm lucky in that I haven't had chewers and haven't had to crate but dog's don't know they can't/shouldn't chew (or do other "bad dog" things) if you aren't around to correct them. When they are out, you need to supervise just like you would a kid so they know what is acceptable and what isn't.

Bitter Apple Spray worked wonders on my 90 pound Chowador who ate the last book in the Stephen King series I'd been working on for months. So did giving him his own bucket of toys that he was allowed to play with any time that did not taste like bitter apple. I would think that bokjoy is right, it's a lot like baby proofing - something I know nothing about, but it looks like you're going to be preparing for a lot soon! Exciting times!

I have to say, a German Shepherd named Lady Bug raised me from the age of 4 to 20. She was a superb dog. Your pup brings back wonderful memories.

I'm not sure how to dog-proof a home, but doors are a great idea if you're expecting a baby -- otherwise, every single book will be on the floor every day. Also, I'm not a big baby-proofing nut, but bookshelves -- especially flimsy Ikea ones -- can easily topple over if someone tries to "climb" them . You'll want to attach the shelves to the wall.

Good luck with all the new additions to your family.

I would put doors on the shelves, because I like the look, and the lack of dusting, however, babies and dogs both do tend to break things...

Bitter apple is a GODSEND, just so you know, and I haven't had any trouble with it staining anything I've used it on, but I would test first.

A few dog tricks (I actually have a *very* well behaved Doberman...until he sees a squirrel, and then all bets are off):

1) You have to refocus the chewing behavior. I don't know your lifestyle, but this dog has energy or behaviors that need to get OUT. An extra walk every day might do the trick. Some books that are his to chew could help. Better chewing toys, maybe some puzzle treat toys...there are toys that are harder than Kongs that might work?

2) You can train him to see the book in another light by teaching him a trick that involves the books. If it's fun enough, whenever he sees one, he'll want to do the trick instead of the chewing. We have a "Pose!" command where he puts his front feet up on the book and looks at me. But, you have to reward or praise every time you see him do it.

3) The best way to prevent canine destruction is avoidance...a place for everything, and everything in its place. Shoes won't get chewed if they're in the closet, so putting books behind doors might be a good idea. I think glass looks lovely, and saves you on dusting. Another option I've been considering are "pie tin" cupboard panels...punched tin in wooden doors.

4) As for carpets, I love Oriental rugs. They last forever, hide stains, soft and plush (good for learning to crawl!), and, despite what the rug people say, you can totally shampoo them when a few spills have accumulated. A good dealer can help you find one that matches your style, colors and space...but the best deals are on craigslist. Just be sure to invest in a good rug pad and get it professionally cleaned if you buy it used.

Good luck!

I have another thing to add, you could fill a can with coins, a lot of coins and when the dogs chew, jump up or another bad behavior shake the can. Dogs hate this and I've seen it work for jumping up on company.

We have doors on our white Billys and they look fantastic. So I definitely recommend them. We have a shag area rug and our Shiba Inu has tried to destroy it a couple of times, so definitely don't get one! I agree with the other posters about a low carpet with a rug gripper underneath. And you might want to consider purchasing one that blends with the color of your dogs hair, or you will be vacuuming it every single day.

I am a dog owner.... he is a bit crazy at times so I completely get where your coming from....

Just a thought... what about high bookshelves? Like wrapping around your room nearing the ceiling ? I have always been a fan of the way it looked.. and... when the baby comes.... then it will eliminate him/her getting into the books as well.....
you can do more than 1 row maybe 2 high and above....

it would be kid/dog friendly.... ? Just a thought.... Good luck your dogs are beautiful....!

Fill a kong with peanut butter. Freeze. It helps with the chewing urge. Long walks where they can run free or a couple hours at a doggy day care. Tired dogs are less "chewy."

Get some attractive gates to close off rooms where there will be a problem. When you are home they get to roam. When they are alone they are kept to one area of your home. You may need a gate of two anyway when the kiddo comes along. There are some very nice (pricey but nice) wooden gates that don't scream doggy fence.

Have seen dogs lick the bitter apples stuff right off surfaces like it was gravy. Think the antiperspirant sounds like a good possibility. It would stick around for quite a while and, really, can you imagine how foul that stuff must taste and feel on the tongue?

Think glass doors sound like a good idea. The explorations and persistence of babies and dogs is remarkably similar. Their lack of remorse is a certainty. :-)
Any protections and restrictions you create on behalf of you belongings will pay off doubly when the baby arrives.

Have no advice- just wanted to sympathise with you. My Corgi however doesn't eat objects so much as the lino floor. He has ripped up several large pieces. *sigh*

Giving him "his" books is not a good thing; he needs to learn that your books are not his toys. What if you left a book on the coffee table before leaving the house? I wouldn't expect it to be your's anymore.

If you consider the Flor tiles, I'd research whether the rubber backing will affect your hardwoods. Most real-hardwood companies don't recommend rubber-backed rugs.

I think you should consider a gated space for him when you're out. He'd need a big crate, which would take a lot of floor space, so a gate (at the kitchen entry, maybe?) would be a little more livable for both of you.

In about a year you're going to want to be baby proofing, so it seems like getting doors for the books would be a good idea for the long term. Though, I wonder if you'd want to replace the glass with plexi.

I'm not a dog expert, but it sounds like some separation anxiety going on. Huskies are smart dogs with a lot of energy. They know chewing a book is going to give them attention as well as a little revenge. Increase the play time and the play things - especially before the baby comes and puts the dogs even lower on the heirarchy.

I have a saint bernard and a great dane and I forgo any sort of coffe table. It stinks that I can't have my feet up but I kepe everything on a side tablle and it gives the dogs more room to romp. I am about to get some flor tiles though b/c when a major accident happens its always nice to feel that you can replace one tile and by another.

I have an Akita and a Sheppard Collie mix. I also tend to go with the 3 feet rule (in my case 4-nothing of value below 4 feet). One thing I did decide was hardwood floors were a no-no and I have flor tiles or full-room area rugs in every room. The dogs would slip and slide every time they'd play and I was worried about them getting hurt. Neither of them bother with my books but in the interest of keeping them clean from slobber I have doors on my billys. Good luck putting them on =\

Also, my dogs seem to be the only 2 dogs on the planet who have absolutely zero interest in Kongs =(

Its so nice to see so many "house proud" people who still have fabulous furry family memebers :) When I got my Am. Bulldog i swear my whole family gasped in unison. BB99 i love the frozen kong idea. Bella goes through a whole knuckle bone in about 2 days, the only thing that i can give her that lasts a reasonable amount of time is a Buffalo shin bone. I bet the frozen kong would keep her interested for a bit.

Also, for the poster. Do you have a dog park in your area? I take mine twice a week to socialize and run out all the extra energy our small yard wont work for. Any time she starts getting sort of antsy i take her and it always helps.

I definitely know where you're coming from. I have two very cute but destroying pit bull mixes that have in the past eaten my favorite sweaters, drywall and trim, and anything plastic. Our solution: very big cages for crate training. We initially felt badly about crate training but they actually dont mind it at all and it's good for them to have a place for themselves and out of trouble while we're gone. When we're home we monitor them and put up dog gates where we don't want them.
I second the frozen kong and big bully stick/bone suggestions.
In addition, when I run the dogs a few miles each in the morning, they are MUCH less mischievious. A tired dog is a good dog.

i use an indoor electric collar on my great dane to keep her out of range of the more "precious" items in my condo. she learned quickly to avoid the areas the three sensors cover, and if she forgets and does come into range, she gets a few beeps which quickly alert her to back away before she gets zapped.

you can buy them online from most pet supply stores. it has been an absolute savior for me (and my furniture...and my groceries...and my shoes...), so if it's something you're comfortable with, i'd highly recommend it!

I wouldn't buy anything other than a bamboo-style rug, honestly.... it will get dirty fast. Your dogs are adorable... good luck :)

And by the way... the kong is the best. stick a treat inside, one big enough so it'll take them a while before they get it out... it'll keep them away from your books.

I'm a proud mommy to five (small! I swear!) dogs and stylish rugs have always been an interesting quandary in my house. I found this faux bois rug recently at Target that I consider an excellent score:

http://tinyurl.com/yks3osc

It's machine washable, which is a must for me, and low pile enough not to shed. I've washed it only once so far and while it was somewhat of a trick to get it into the washer, it came out just fine. It was also nice that I could grab it at the store, rather than having to pay for shipping.

We just recently moved into a new home and are using Flor tiles for the first time; first as a wall-to-wall solution in our basement and next as a rug for the living room. So far I'm pleased with them, but time will tell.

I also second the gate idea if possible. We're lucky enough to have a sun room area off of our living room that we can gate and have turned into the "dog room".

Good luck!

As the former owner of two great danes and as someone who grew up with hyperactive labs, I echo what a few other people have said here....exercise your dogs like crazy and they will be much less likely to chew. Training and kongs will also help.

To actually answer your question, I say put glass doors on the bookshelves (would imagine that Ikea sells them) and buy a low-pile rug. Your coffee table is beautiful, but the sharp edges seems dangerous for a wandering baby and tempting for the dogs....you might want to put that one in storage for a couple years!

With 3 medium-sized dogs, I have not managed to find a rug that works. It is just too hard to get the fur and dirt out of a rug--and I am sure those two big dogs shed plenty! Hard surfaces are easy to keep clean. I have washable rugs on the kitchen floor that were like $3 at Ikea, but that's it. If you are wanting a soft place for a baby to crawl, the Flor tiles may be worth a try-- or just a washable quilt, maybe with a rubber mat beneath to prevent slippage. Billy bookcases look awesome with doors, that should be an easy fix. Good luck!

Cayenne Pepper sprinkled on the books, hot sauce (with cayenne sprinkles on top), and a water gun!

My dog was not deterred by bitter apple and bitter lime only worked so-so. The cayenne & hot sauce can be dusted / washed off eventually...

This worked for furniture legs, plants, fuzzy things (rugs, blankets), books & paper goods.

Oh, and exercise, Lots & Lots of exercise...

get a Chilewich rug!

Congrats on your baby!

My two huskies have certainly done their fair share of damage--mainly digging holes in the backyard and chewing on shoes and socks--especially during their puppy days. Oddly, Bitter Apple only worked for Nanners (Herbie seemed to be quite taken with the flavor if I recall correctly). But honestly, the most effective thing that I did was to block off areas that I didn't want them to get into until they learned that it was off-limits. With that in mind, glass doors might be an effective idea to keep your books intact--in exchange, you'd just have to clean the glass from nose prints :) I had a friend who had 2 hyper labs who were wary of umbrellas--when she bought a new couch, she would put open umbrellas on them when she left the house to keep her dogs from jumping on it.

I also agree with all the advice on exercise as well. Tired dogs are happy ones for sure!

Big vote for additional training here -- isn't having an exceptionally well behaved dog a big part of baby-proofing your household?

What's the point of covering the pointy corners and putting away small objects if a dog being a dog waylays your precautions by knocking over some pointy corners and choking hazards.

Chewing toys or bitter apple spray are great ways to reinforce the dog's training to protect your things, but the training should be the first line of defense.

By the time your most precious little thing arrives, the dogs should know what behaviors are no-no's -- they shouldn't simply be avoiding them due to deterrents like shelf doors and icky-tasting spray.