One of the most expensive dog behaviour issues you're likely to encounter is having a destructive dog.
Gnawing on your cushions till the stuffing hangs out is at the mild end of these dog behaviour problems, between falls an entire list of misdemeanours such as chewing your best shoes, scratching up the paintwork, scrabbling at the carpet and chewing right through wires. At the extreme end of this issue, dogs can destroy your best furniture, chew their way through plasterboard walls and I even heard a case of a dog who destroyed a whole kitchen while his dog minder was out!
Yet I am constantly shocked at the number of dog owners who put up with this damaging behavior and the stress it causes and try and work around it. If they invest a little time and cash to resolve the issue, it would be so much less expensive in the longer term than paying for painters and decorators, new carpets or furniture.
What Drives a Dog's Destructive Behavior?
I would like to start by saying that dogs don't destroy things on purpose, to spite you, or teach you a lesson, or for vengeance, because I'm astounded what number of folks believe that.
Your dog might be destructive for a selection of differing reasons. It could be attention seeking behavior. My dog used to chew on cushions and all the while be trying to catch my eye, as he knew I'd react and then he'd have my attention.
Dog chewing is the source of lots of damage in the house, yet a dogs chewing is entirely natural. A dog will chew things as a method of reducing pain such as when teething. Similarly, chewing helps to release a natural endorphin in a dog that's relaxing, so dogs will regularly chew when they are anxious.
Separation Anxiety in dogs may also be a massive driver for destructive behaviour as a dog can panic when left alone. A lot of the destruction can occur as the dog tries to get out of the house, so often window frames, doors and even walls are targeted.
Does Dog Boredom Create Destructive Behavior?
Boredom is often cited as a reason for dogs destructive behavior. There are lots of folks who insist upon humanising their dogs, but I am sure that animals who do not know next time they're going to eat, find it much more difficult to get bored. Have you ever watched one of those "reality" shows where they don't feed the contestants for a bit? No-one ever talks of being bored. All they talk of is, you know it, food.
So while your dog may enjoy the heap of toys you leave for them while you're out, or the dog hiker that comes in and exercises them, it will not always stop the destruction.
The Simplest Way To Stop Destructive Dogs
To calm the entire situation down and put an end to the expenses, stress and bad behavior, you want to identify whats behind your dog's destructive behavior and tackle it with some good dog behaviour training.
Gnawing on your cushions till the stuffing hangs out is at the mild end of these dog behaviour problems, between falls an entire list of misdemeanours such as chewing your best shoes, scratching up the paintwork, scrabbling at the carpet and chewing right through wires. At the extreme end of this issue, dogs can destroy your best furniture, chew their way through plasterboard walls and I even heard a case of a dog who destroyed a whole kitchen while his dog minder was out!
Yet I am constantly shocked at the number of dog owners who put up with this damaging behavior and the stress it causes and try and work around it. If they invest a little time and cash to resolve the issue, it would be so much less expensive in the longer term than paying for painters and decorators, new carpets or furniture.
What Drives a Dog's Destructive Behavior?
I would like to start by saying that dogs don't destroy things on purpose, to spite you, or teach you a lesson, or for vengeance, because I'm astounded what number of folks believe that.
Your dog might be destructive for a selection of differing reasons. It could be attention seeking behavior. My dog used to chew on cushions and all the while be trying to catch my eye, as he knew I'd react and then he'd have my attention.
Dog chewing is the source of lots of damage in the house, yet a dogs chewing is entirely natural. A dog will chew things as a method of reducing pain such as when teething. Similarly, chewing helps to release a natural endorphin in a dog that's relaxing, so dogs will regularly chew when they are anxious.
Separation Anxiety in dogs may also be a massive driver for destructive behaviour as a dog can panic when left alone. A lot of the destruction can occur as the dog tries to get out of the house, so often window frames, doors and even walls are targeted.
Does Dog Boredom Create Destructive Behavior?
Boredom is often cited as a reason for dogs destructive behavior. There are lots of folks who insist upon humanising their dogs, but I am sure that animals who do not know next time they're going to eat, find it much more difficult to get bored. Have you ever watched one of those "reality" shows where they don't feed the contestants for a bit? No-one ever talks of being bored. All they talk of is, you know it, food.
So while your dog may enjoy the heap of toys you leave for them while you're out, or the dog hiker that comes in and exercises them, it will not always stop the destruction.
The Simplest Way To Stop Destructive Dogs
To calm the entire situation down and put an end to the expenses, stress and bad behavior, you want to identify whats behind your dog's destructive behavior and tackle it with some good dog behaviour training.
About the Author:
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a Dog Anxiety website, which provides help and information for dog owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about destructive dog behaviour and other dog behaviour problems, when you visit the site.
