You come home and once again, your dog has trashed your house and chewed up your furniture. Your couch is in shreds and your dog has reduced your kitchen chairs to firewood. You're at your wit's end.
But there are several things you can do to stop the destruction. Your dog is doing what comes naturally to him because he's either bored, has excessive energy or is suffering from separation anxiety.
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Crate Training
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When your dog is bored or suffers from separation anxiety, he looks for things to do. One of those things is chewing.
One way to stop your pet from eating your couch is to crate train him. Put him in a cage or airline crate while you're gone. Unlike people, dogs feel more secure in a confined space, since it appeals to your dog's denning instinct. Wild canines choose to live in dens rather than in open spaces and your dog has inherited this preference.
The crate can either be plastic or wire and should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and lay down in. Get him used to being in there by feeding him meals in the crate and throwing treats into the crate. Give him a bone stuffed with treats or a puzzle toy with treats and while he's busy with it, close the door for a few minutes. Slowly increase the time until he's used to staying in the crate.
Give Your Dog Toys
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Part of the problem with bored dogs are their lack of mental stimulation. Purchase several puzzle toys such as Busy Buddy, Kong Toys or Buster Cubes and fill them with treats and other edibles. These toys will keep your dog entertained as he tries to figure out how to get the treats out of the toy, often providing hours of entertainment.
Exercise Your Dog
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Many destructive dogs lack outlets for their excessive energy. Exercising your dog (walking, hiking, playing fetch or Frisbee) or getting involved in various dog sports such as agility, flyball or rally will help calm your dog and make him less likely to be destructive.
Treat for Separation Anxiety
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Some dogs get so wound up when you leave that they tear up the house or eat your couch. This is separation anxiety and some versions are so severe, you may have to bring your dog to a veterinarian for medications that will help calm him. A professional canine behaviorist or trainer can help you work through some of your dog's anxiety. You can reduce the behavior by keeping comings and goings low key and short, so your dog understands that you will return and he should not get anxious because you will be back.
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