Addressing Destructive Behavior

Addressing destructive behavior in dogs requires a combination of understanding the underlying causes, consistent training, and providing appropriate outlets for their energy and instincts. Here are some general guidelines to help address destructive behavior in dogs:

1. Health Check:  Rule out any potential medical issues by consulting with a veterinarian. Pain or discomfort could contribute to destructive behavior.
2. Identify the Function:  If possible, determine the root cause of the destructive behavior.  What need is the behavior filling?  Why does your dog keep doing it?  This could be boredom, anxiety, lack of exercise, fear, or even a medical issue. Understanding the cause will guide your approach to solving the problem.
3. Provide Sufficient Exercise and Simulation: Some destructive behaviors stem from excess energy. Ensure your dog gets enough physical exercise through walks, playtime, and interactive activities. Mental stimulation is also crucial, such as puzzle toys and training sessions.  Exercise is not a cure-all.  We used to say “A tired dog is a good dog.”  But the truth is, unless you are super-human, you cannot exercise enough to really wear your dog out.  And too much exercise can actually increase his fitness level, requiring increasingly more exercise to make him tired.
4. Be Consistent:  Dogs thrive on consistency and routine. Establish a daily schedule for feeding, walks, playtime, and rest. Predictability helps take the guess work out of your dog’s day.  The better he understands what is expected of him the easier he will be to live with.
5. Tell Your Dog What You Want:  Reinforce positive behavior with rewards like treats, praise, or toys. Ignore or redirect undesirable behavior instead of punishing the dog.  Punishment can damage trust and create confusion.  Punishment is also context specific, meaning it’s possible your dog may only respond to it when the threat is present.  While this is true of reinforcement in the beginning, as behaviors build, they become habits.  Your dog will form good habits, and not always need you there to dictate his every move.
6. Provide Appropriate Toys:  Offer a variety of safe and durable toys to keep your dog entertained. Chew toys, puzzle toys, and interactive toys can help redirect their energy towards appropriate outlets.  Remember:  Your dog gets to decide what is fun.  Learn what your dog likes, and find options specific to his individual preferences.  You may be able to figure out these preference by looking at the items your dog is destroying.
7. Create a Safe Space:  Designate a comfortable and secure area, like a crate or a specific room, where your dog can retreat when they need downtime. Make it a positive place with their bed and toys.
8. Training and Obedience:  Invest time in basic obedience training. Basic training commands can not only stimulate your dog and wear him out during training, they can also provide tools to redirect behavior away from trouble.
9. Address Separation Anxiety:  If destructive behavior occurs when you’re away, it could be a sign of separation anxiety. Gradually desensitize your dog to your departures and arrivals, and consider using tools like pheromone diffusers or calming collars. Your trainer may refer you to a trainer who specializes in separation anxiety if it is severe.