Boxer Dog Is Digging Holes & Chewing Up a Weight Bench

Boxer dogs are fun to have around, but sooner or later you will come home to a mess if you are not careful. All dogs are prone to chewing on anything they can find, especially if they have a lot of pent-up energy or distress. A weight bench is as good a target as any for a rambunctious boxer to lay into. Digging holes is another way your boxer unleashes his unspent energy. Understanding your dog's need to chew and dig holes is the first step to learning to control this unwanted behavior.

  1. Chewing in Puppies

    • A boxer puppy is driven to chew everything in sight because of teething. Just like humans, puppies need to chew to help the teeth get ready for their life's work. Controlling chewing in a boxer puppy is difficult. A teething boxer puppy may even resort to chewing the walls if nothing else is available. Crate training is a popular solution to this problem. By keeping the puppy in a crate while you are away, he cannot engage in destructive activities. Crate training is beneficial for potty training as well, as most dogs will not defecate in an enclosed area.

    Chewing in Older Boxers

    • A boxer beyond his puppy stage is no longer chewing for teething. He is chewing because he is bored. The boxer breed in particular has a predisposition to chew throughout its life. They have a lot of energy that needs to be released through the day. If the boxer has no other outlet for this energy, he will expend it in a mischievous way. This can be controlled by giving the dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation during the day. A worn out dog will not have the drive to destroy the weight bench. Dogs need a sense of purpose. Spend time with the dog and teach him useful games like fetching a ball or catching a Frisbee.

    Separation Anxiety

    • A boxer, like any dog, has a special bond with its owner. If you are often away for long periods of time, the dog will begin to get depressed. Chewing on inanimate items, such as a weight bench, is one way for the dog to deal with its anxiety. Digging holes also allows him to entertain himself while you are away. Try to check in on him more often and make him feel more a part of your day-to-day existence to avoid problems with separation anxiety. This can be achieved by taking the dog for walks, rewarding him for good behaviors and paying more attention to him in general. Also, consider pests as a possible cause of digging. If the yard is attractive to moles and gophers, the boxer will be more prone to dig when he catches the scent. Home improvement stores have solutions to repel pests that might be intriguing your boxer.

    Stopping Chewing of the Weight Bench

    • A weight bench may seem like an unlikely target for your boxer's aggression, but the felt material makes it ideal for chewing. Furthermore, your boxer likes to chew on things that remind him of you. He detects your scent on the weight bench and then chews on it because he misses you. There are several products on the market to discourage chewing of a specific object. Visit your local pet store for sprays that can be applied to the surfaces of the weight bench to help repel chewing. Purchase chewing toys and make sure that he is rewarded when chewing appropriately.