Owning a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience, but sometimes that experience can come with its own unique set of difficulties. One of the most frustrating problems pet owners face is destructive behavior. When that happens, our adorable furry facial cleansers unexpectedly transform into destructive canines that will chew through anything.
This happens for many reasons, including boredom, anxiety, lack of attention or interaction. This malicious behavior can be extremely frustrating and dangerous under certain circumstances.
There's nothing more destructive than watching the fluffiest member of the family ransack, chew, and vandalize your home. Especially when some of those precious items have sentimental value.
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Why do some dogs have destructive behaviors and others don't?
Have you ever wondered why your neighbor's dog looks angelic while your dog chews, rips and scratches all your precious belongings?
Negative dog behavior problems can often be the result of age, boredom, or anxiety. Your dog's breed can also play a key role in his destructive behavior, as well as his energy levels.
Let's take a closer look at the reasons why your dog might want to tear up your mattress:
Attention seeking -One of the most common reasons dogs chew is that they are seeking attention. This is common in dogs, and especially puppies, who feel ignored or focused on another family member. They may engage in destructive behavior to say, "Hey! Look at me!"
Young puppies and adult dogs –Destructive behavior is often seen in very young puppies and growing dogs. At this stage, it is often normal and appropriate behavior for puppies to explore their surroundings, chew,to bite, and try to find out what they can and cannot do.
However, if your pup has destructive behavior problems and they persist into adulthood, there is likely another underlying cause.
older dogs -As dogs get older, they may begin to experimentProblems with teeth and gums. This can cause a lot of pain and your dog may start chewing on things to relieve that pain.
Your dog is boredImagine being locked in a room for up to 8 hours a day doing nothing and not interacting with anyone.
Well, that's exactly what many adult dogs are expected to do every day while we're at work. No wonder they go crazy and tear your house to pieces!
Ask yourself if your dog is left alone, is he...
....have enough food and water?
... You have something to do?
...call someone to guide them or let them out into the yard?
Bored dogs left alone will often find ways to entertain themselves, even if it means dismantling your expensive sofa with their teeth or chewing on your dirty laundry.
Energy from below,hyperactive dogs–Puppies that have too much energy and don't have an outlet for that energy can lead to negative behavior and destructive chewing. This can be due to many things, such as poor exercise, lack of mental stimulation, or even just genetics.
separation anxiety -A solitary lifestyle does not come naturally to one.family oriented pack animal, and can cause a lot of anxiety and stress for a dog.
It's worth noting that around 20-40% of dogs worldwide suffer from separation anxiety, so you're not alone with this condition.
It is important for dog owners to know why their dog has separation anxiety and whether or not this root cause is permanent, and how they can help alleviate their dog's anxiety. Take a look at our highly informativeSeparation Anxiety Articlefor further information and help.
General fear and anxiety.
Just like us, dogs are complex animals, they can have their own unique phobias and fears.
Anything for fear of loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms, or cars, uniforms,strangers, other dogs or even spoons. Your dog could literally be afraid of the craziest things.
Unfortunately, these seemingly bizarre fears can lead to a destructive animal calming itself down by chewing inappropriately. Consult our articlesfear of dogs,how to recognize fear of dogs, Ypanic attacks in dogsfor more useful information
Dog Breeds Prone to Destructive Behavior
Some breeds are prone to destructive behavior due to their high energy levels or because they were bred for a specific purpose.
Here is a short list of some typically destructive dog breeds:
- Labrador retriever
- german shepherds
- golden retriever
- beagles
- rottweiler
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- pit bull terrier americano
If you have a destructive breed, it's important to make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation, but we'll talk more about that later in this article.
Types of destructive behavior in dogs
Destructive behavior in dogs can cause a lot of expensive damage to your home and valuable possessions. Here are some of the ways your dog destroys your belongings:
chew -Dogs love to chew, it's normal behavior and a great way to relieve stress, burn off excess energy, and keep teeth clean and healthy and jaws strong.
However, this can lead to destructive chewing behavior if your dog is left to its own devices or not given enough things to chew on.
Destructive chewing usually starts with small objects like shoes, socks, and remote controls. But you can quickly scale to larger objects like furniture and even walls.
It's also important to note that if you have a chewing puppy, it may be because he's teething. If your dog's behavior persists beyond thatdentition, it can become a problem.
graben-Many dogs like to dig, whether it's in the sand at the beach or in the newly planted flower bed.
Unfortunately, that can lead to this.destructive excavationBehavior when your dog is bored or has too much energy.
To prevent your dog from destructive digging, you must provide an outlet for his energy or an adequate distraction.
scratch and scratch -This is a problem that mainly affects scratches on doors, walls, windows, window frames and carpets and is usually caused by boredom and separation anxiety.
However, if your dog is constantly urinating and pooping on your carpet and then scratches it, your dog is likely marking his territory. This is a natural behavior of adult dogs and is usually performed by non-neutered male dogs.
Digging, scratching, and chewing are destructive behaviors in dogs that can be incredibly damaging to your pet's health and well-being.
Anxious dogs can be under a lot of stress and this can be psychologically damaging to your dog if you don't get in the way of the problem and find a way to help.
Pets that scratch door frames, furniture, and carpets can do a lot of damage to their paws and claws. If your dog has long claws, they can chip and break, and in extreme cases, even pull out completely.
Dogs that chew excessively can damage teeth, gums, and jaw muscles. They may also accidentally swallow large pieces of anything they chew, which can cause choking or blockages in their digestive system.
Why does my dog destroy things when I walk?
Dogs do not like to be away from the pack for long. It is instinctive for them. Therefore, this harmful behavior is common when owners leave their dog alone at home for many hours. The two main causes of negative behavior in dogs are boredom and anxiety. The latter is more difficult to handle.
If you have a bright and intelligent dog who spends many hours alone in your house, there is a good chance that his home will be destroyed, as there is nothing to keep his active little brain busy.
However, when emotional stress is to blame, things get a bit complicated.
These types of behavior problems are often caused by a dog being separated from its human, to whom it is likely very attached.
Dogs with separation anxiety can show their stress in any number of ways, from making unusually destructive escape attempts that could seriously hurt your pup, to chewing on toilet paper or ripping the curtains.
It is not clear why some dogs are afraid of being separated and others are not.
In a two-dog household, it's not uncommon for one pet to be left behind while the other pet throws away toys, gets all the stuffing out of your bed, and chews up your couch.
What you should NEVER do to a destructive dog
It's upsetting, frustrating, and heartbreaking when you lose things to a destructive dog, especially when those things are sentimental and irreplaceable.
In these difficult circumstances, it would be easy to react and lash out.
However, punishing your dog is the worst thing to do, as it will only make the destructive behavior worse.
also screaming andScreams, or having physical contact with your dog will only confuse you and damage the trust between you and your dog.
Dogs do best with encouragement, positivity, and lots and lots of praise.
Sharing is showing interest!
Does it improve destructive behavior?
The good thing to remember about destructive dog behavior is that it can be controlled and treated.
It can take a lot of time and patience, but the results can be life changing.
How do I get my dog to stop destroying everything?
Mental and physical stimulation is key to keeping negative behaviors at bay. A dog left alone all day with nothing to do is much more likely to find ways to entertain himself, which may involve systematic destruction of his home and furniture.
dealing with the problem
This is important for all dog owners with this problem to keep their dogs in one part of the house. Dogs secure the holding area by looking for anything that can be easily chewed or swallowed. Keep them safe, this includes things like shoes, socks, trash, remote controls, cables, etc.
Here are some ideas to keep your pup happy and busy through the appropriate means:
chew toysthey are a great way to help your dog expend some energy and hopefully prevent inappropriate chewing. There are many different types of chew toys out there, so finding one your dog likes should be easy.
puzzle toythey are a great way to challenge and engage your dog's brain. They work as feeders, if your dog does well, he gets a treat to chew.
a kong toyFilled with peanut butter and treats and frozen solid will keep your hungry dog busy with his very own toy for hours.
Physical activityit is also important for many dogs that are home alone. A tired dog is a good dog! Be sure to take a daily walk or run before you go, or make sure someone can exercise your dog while you're away.
Try taking dog agility classes, playing games of fetch, or participating in dog sports like frizbie and soccer.
television or radioat a low volume can help your dog feel less alone and provide a pleasant background noise.
box trainingit can be a great way to help your dog feel safe and comfortable when he is alone. Start by leaving your dog for short periods of time. It will take some time and patience to train your pup correctly, but it will be worth it in the end.
Take a look at our crate training article.
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call an expert
If your dog's destructive behavior is out of your control, you may need the help of a qualified professional.
Your vet or a certified animal behaviorist will help you diagnose the root cause of the destructive behavior.
ii) create a behavior change plan tailored to your dog's needs, and
iii) Provide guidance and support throughout the process.
Destructive behavior can be frustrating, but with patience and expert help, you can steer your pet toward good behavior.
Pica
You'll know when your dog's destructive chewing becomes dangerous when he begins to swallow objects as well. If this happens, they may have a condition called pica.
Pica is when your pup persistently eats non-food items. It can be especially dangerous if they then eat something that cannot be properly digested or excreted as food.
For more, here's our reveal.Article on Picaand what it can do.
Diploma
Dogs can become destructive for many reasons, but there are ways to stop these behavior problems.
It is important to manage the problem and keep your pet mentally and physically stimulated. If the ideas we have mentioned in this article do not work for your dog, you may need the help of a qualified professional, such as a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Destructive behavior can be frustrating and difficult to deal with, but with patience, persistence, and a little time, you can help your destructive dog become a well-behaved member of the family.
Disclaimer
All information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.