Why do dogs start destroying things

Has anything changed in your dog's lifestyle recently? Are you working longer hours? Has the weather kept you in more than usual? Changes that you don't really notice can leave your dog feeling lonely and bored, which can lead to destructive behavior.

If you think boredom may be the problem, make time to play with your dog before you leave the house. Choose a high energy game, such as fetch, or a brisk walk, so he is ready to flop down for a nap when you leave. There may be other, less obvious reasons that your dog has suddenly become destructive. He may view the attention he receives when he makes a mess as a reward, he may be hearing things outside, such as children playing, that he wants to join in on, or he may hear pests or rodents in the walls or under the floor, and he thinks he's helping out by doing a little hunting.

Regardless of the reason your dog is feeling destructive, you can be confident he is not doing it to make you mad, or to retaliate for being left alone. When punishment is indicated, the goal is NOT to punish the animal, but the behavior. This can never be accomplished with punishment after the fact. For assistance in resolving destructive and other behavior problems, once medical problems have been ruled out by your veterinarian, contact a certified applied animal behaviorist.

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Learn More. Explaining Destructive Behavior in Dogs. Separation Anxiety This is one of the most common causes of destructive behavior in dogs, particularly in those obtained from shelters or found as strays.

Fears and Phobias Fearful responses to thunderstorms and loud noises often involve escape attempts that result in destructive behavior. Social Isolation or Boredom If dogs do not receive adequate opportunities for social interaction with their owners or if their environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys, they may entertain themselves by engaging in activities that may inadvertently in destruction of property.

Attention-Getting Behavior Without realizing it, owners may pay the most attention to their dogs when they are misbehaving. Play Behavior Normal play behavior can often result in destructive behavior, and often involves digging or chewing, shredding, and shaking of toy-like objects such as shoes, socks, or paper objects. Investigative Behavior Dogs may inadvertently damage items in their environment when they are exploring or investigating.

Inappropriate Punishment Excessive punishment or punishment after the fact for any misbehavior may elicit anxiety associated with the presence of the owner. Medical Problems Upper gastrointestinal irritation, dental or gum pain may cause destructive chewing in adult dogs.

Inconsistent Feeding Routines A hungry dog may go on a foraging spree, and destroy the house searching for food. Barrier Frustrations Some dogs become anxious, and therefore destructive, when confined in small areas such as crates flight kennels or small rooms bathroom, laundry room. This relaxes both you and your dog, as it will probably also be quite agitated after so much destructive rage.

When out in the fresh air, you can brace yourself for the chaos at home and calmly consider what the next steps to improve the situation could be. These measures really help but are only short-term. Nevertheless, you should ideally not leave valuable objects or things that can easily be broken lying around the next time you leave home. Put your shoes away in the cupboard, don't leave any dirty laundry lying around and tuck phone cables behind cupboards.

By doing so, you can at least somewhat limit the damage your dog can do in your absence. The fact is that dogs don't cause destruction because they enjoy annoying you. On the contrary, serious physical or psychological problems that severely affect your dog mostly lie behind this misconduct.

A first possible step to get to the bottom of the causes is asking when your dog acts destructively. Does it only show destructive rage when you are absent? Does it begin as soon as you have left the house or only after you have been away for quite a while? In order to find out, you can install a small camera in the room to film your dog during your absence.

If your dog only starts destroying things after you have left the house for a certain amount of time, it's probably simply doing so out of boredom. In fact, boredom is the most common trigger for destructive behaviour amongst dogs. By tearing out cables, investing rubbish or chewing cushions, they are trying to satisfy their stifled curiosity and get rid of excess energy. Of course, the urge for activity differs depending on the breed, age and sex, but no dog is meant to spend all day lying around at home and waiting for its owner.

Once you have found out that your dog is messing up objects and chewing them out of boredom, you should definitely provide more exercise and stimulation in its daily routine. Short walks around the block are absolutely not enough to satisfy your bored dog. Explore the great outdoors together with your dog, let it run alongside you whilst you cycle , go joggin g together or let it take a dip in the lake. You know your dog best and will know which form of activity it takes greatest joy in.

In addition to physical activity, dogs also wish to be mentally stimulated. Intelligence toys , search games, retrieval or teaching little tricks are suitable possibilities to mentally stimulate your dog and to steer its energy in the desired direction. Furthermore, attending a dog school is recommended.

Sign your dog up for a suitable dog sport that you can attend together regularly. Be it agility, obedience, dog dancing or man-trailing, the selection of sports for dogs is so versatile nowadays that there will certainly be the right thing out there for every dog. For some dogs that were originally bred as working dogs, it's possible to train as a service or rescue dog. Dogs that are physically and mentally stimulated are much calmer and more even-tempered at home.

Even the most active bundles of energy enjoy a little nap in their basket or on the couch after they have exerted themselves. Before you have to leave the house without your dog for an extended period, take your dog on a long walk with retrieval games, for instance, so that it is already tired and willing to fully enjoy the peace and quiet at home.

If you are away for a long time and worry that boredom will strike again, give your dog something to occupy itself with during your absence and to leave your furniture in peace. A box with dog toys , an old blanket or food-ball awake your dog's interest and will distract it from its destructive rage.