Destructive Puppy Behavior

Puppies are adorable, but sometimes they can drive a new owner crazy with their destructive behavior. They don't mean to destroy things -- their natural curiosity and exuberance lead them to investigate everything within reach, sometimes tearing up floors, books and furniture. The key to limiting your puppy's destructive behavior is to keep the puppy occupied with things it cannot destroy.

  1. Boredom

    • There are several reasons a puppy may choose to destroy things, but the most common reason is boredom. Puppies need a lot of physical exercise, but they also need a lot of mental stimulation. If the puppy's mind is allowed to wander, the puppy will start wandering -- right into something it shouldn't touch. Veterinarian Patrick Melese says owners should never leave a puppy alone for the 8 to 10 hours they work, as puppies get bored very quickly.

    Anxiety

    • Puppies can also be driven to destructive behavior by anxiety. Veterinarian Bruce Fogle advises owners that if the destructive behavior only occurs when you leave the house, this is a good sign that anxiety is the cause. Nervous or anxious puppies may dig, scratch off wallpaper and destroy rugs or laundry. Puppies can exhibit signs of anxiety if your schedule changes or if they are emotionally dependent on you. Do not coddle the puppy when you see these signals -- it may make the anxiety worse.

    Urination and Scent Marking

    • If the destructive behavior involves urinating or defecating in the house, this could reflect a need to mark territory, especially if the urinating takes place on a vertical surface and your puppy is male. Sometimes neutering can stop male puppies from scent-marking. Be very consistent in housetraining your puppy -- sometimes an accident on the floor simply means that your puppy needed to go to the bathroom. Puppies need to go out much more often than adult dogs.

    Solutions

    • If you and your home are suffering from destructive puppy behavior, there are several steps you can take to limit this behavior. First, wear the puppy out every chance you get. Take it out in the yard and run around with it or throw a ball. Most puppies will fall asleep quickly after vigorous exercise and will not suffer from boredom.

      If anxiety is the cause of your puppy's bad behavior, try crate training. Using a crate is like giving the puppy a room of its own. Reward the puppy every time it goes in the crate, and fill the crate with toys and bedding. The puppy will be much less anxious when you leave.