Dog Destroying Furniture

[anon99446150]

I would love some advice. We have a 1 year old rescue who we got a few months ago and for the most part he’s been wonderful. We’ve been able to leave him free in the house with very few problems/accidents. We did try to keep him in one area of the house when we first got him but he kept jumping out (we did get higher gates but he would knock them over and pace around all day, panting and looking very distressed). He seemed less stressed being free in the house so we went with that as he wasn’t destroying anything.

However, there have been a few random incidents of furniture destruction and when they happen they’re pretty bad. It always happens when we’re away at work and there doesn’t seem to be any kind of pattern to it. It will just be every few weeks or so we’ll come home and he’ll have ripped a hole in a chair or back of the sofa. Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with this kind of issue? Our apartment is kind of open plan, we only really have doors to the bedrooms which we close when we leave.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be most welcome! Thanks in advance.

[Jim_R]

Crate training, before he chews up something that could kill him. Or a pen outside where he could be safe from chewing on something that could harm him.

[Beckham03]

He is showing signs of separation anxiety. Seek help from vet and trainer for crate training and maybe medication before it gets worse.

[cnvh]

Crate, crate, crate. Think of it like a den, and put it somewhere the dog feels safe. (Like where does your dog run to if a storm comes through, or if he gets yelled at, etc.?) Don’t ever punish him by putting him in there; let it be his own personal happy place. Feed him treats in there, leave the door open when you ARE home so he can go in as he pleases, etc.

Some dogs can be loose in the house, some can’t. It’s one thing if your dog is ripping up a toy every now and then, but destroying furniture?? Regardless of the damage costs to the furniture, he is going to hurt himself before too long. You really, really need to crate him when you are not home.

[Sswor]

Mine eventually outgrew it just shy of 2 years old. But he also had dog door access to a secure yard, a playmate (another dog), lots and lots of training and activity, and a concerted attempt to dog-proof the house as much as possible. But it was just as you described; fine for couple weeks then one day the carpet gets pulled up when I step out for 30 minutes. I did not medicate or crate him. I did get creative with baby gates and window screens to block off furniture or no-dog access areas and he is soft enough to respect them as barriers given the rest of the living space he had to move around.

[S1969]

Honestly, I hate to take it out on this OP - but there have been about five threads recently where people are complaining that their dogs are ruining their belongings or using their house as a toilet.

How many of us give our horses access to a barn aisles when we’re not there? “Oh no, Dobbin got into the feed room AGAIN and pooped all over my stack of clean winter blankets! How can I prevent this??”

Dogs are animals. They cannot be reasoned with, and when we “train” them not to do things like destroy our stuff, get into our garbage and pee/poop in the house it’s only in partly because of our “training”. The other part is that you never give them a chance to do it by containing them, supervising them, and giving them other things to entertain themselves with other than our furniture.

Your solutions are:

Crates
Kennels
Tethering to a human
Direct supervision
Doggy daycare
and always, LOTS of physical and mental exercise

There is no way to “teach” your dog to select between your possessions that you don’t want ruined, and things that they are allowed to chew. Some dogs are born not wanting to chew things, others out grow it - some do it all their lives. Your furniture is only one issue - when the dog ingests something that won’t pass through - you’ll have a big surgery bill to deal with as well.

[Magicboy]

All of this advice is so right on…the dog will eventually hurt himself unless you intervene asap. Crate as a safe place.

[Sswor]

It’s a miracle that dogs didn’t die off and become extinct before the crate became popular.

[cnvh]

@Sswor

It’s a miracle that dogs didn’t die off and become extinct before the crate became popular.

When I was a kid, my parents never crated our dogs… But back then, we also rubbed their noses in poop if they went in the house, we tied them outside on chains when we weren’t home, and we didn’t spay/neuter them. That’s just how it was done back then.

30 years later, thankfully, it’s a very different story.

[Dressagelvr]

I will never understand why anyone expects a dog to just sit home asleep for 8+ hours a day. Cramming​ the poor things in a crate is a horrible solution​, akin to spending your entire day sitting in a bath tub. What kind of a life is that?

A dog’s bladder is not proportionally larger than a human’s. Can YOU hold it all day?

Finally, a one year old dog requires a lot of exercise.

If you had a house, you could have a collar controlled doggie door to a fenced back yard.

The solution for an apartment is to hire a dog walker to come once or twice a day, or take the dog to doggie daycare.

[S1969]

^^ I don’t agree with everything here, but I do agree that a dog walker could be part of a solution. It doesn’t eliminate the “ruining furniture” while alone issue though. So, the choices are still crate, kennel, possibly a “safe” room…when the dog is alone. Crating a dog does not mean you can’t also use a dog walker.

I wouldn’t personally ever allow my dog in a fenced yard while no one was home. A “kennel” - yes. But not a regular yard – same issues apply as being loose in the house – digging holes, eating rocks or unsafe plants, ruining patio furniture, escaping by going over or under a fence, etc. etc. And on top of that - the possibility of being let out or stolen.

[Canaqua]

What kind of dog? Some dogs are like that when young, my BC mix certainly was, She grew out of it shortly before she turned 2. No amount of exercise helped. A smart and busy dog. Boxers, Huskies, Labs, etc… are also “busy” dogs that friends have had trouble with being destructive when young. Until your dog is calmer, CRATE when you can’t supervise…the dog could hurt itself in addition to wrecking your furniture.

I couldn’t bring myself to crate BC mix all day while we were at work, so I cobbled together various arrangements until she calmed down. As if she were a toddler, who couldn’t be left home alone ;). I worked from home one day a week, sent her to daycare/puppy school another couple of days, convinced my mother and a friend who doesn’t work, but likes dogs, to watch her one other day each (they thought that was fun and a favor to them ;). Around 20 months, she became a “grown up” dog and trustworthy around the house alone.

[Sswor]

To the OP: basically the dog is bored. Puppies and adolescent dogs are like little kids they need more positive activity outlets then adults or they get themselves into trouble. Does she have a window she can see out of? Is she totally alone or is there a cat or even a neighbor dog she can see or hear during the day? Even better interact with. I’ve had good luck with kong or other durable silicone-type hollow toys that can hold treats or peanut butter, stuffing them full and presenting them right before I walk out the door. Adding plain cherrios to peanut butter will stretch it and bulk it up, and reduce the total calorie count of filling the toy. It’ll only last a few minutes but it’s something to do and then something to return to later.

Make sure there are plenty of toys of different kinds, shapes, materials, and buy new ones often. And yes, this will get very expensive. But not as much as a new couch. Make sure she is not allowed to sit on the furniture while you are away. I found sitting on furniture leads quickly to destroying furniture. I’d rather the dog destroy a dog bed or throw rug, or even crappy old carpeting (I needed new carpet anyway ) then my couch. Laying a 9.99 wooden clothes drying rack across your couch will keep most dogs off. Baby gates or window screens on chairs. No one wants to lay on these things, the floor is more comfortable.

Make sure she has something to do and see during the day and she will be much happier and much less likely to participate in mass destruction. But keep in mind, most young dogs will go through a destructive phase. Minimize their chances as much as possible to destroy they shouldn’t, and give them plenty of opportunities for authorized destruction–new toys. Ripping apart a plush squeaky toy is the bees knees for a destructive dog. It gives them an outlet and if you keep new ones coming, they don’t “learn” how to perform advanced demolition on your home. Something will get torn up with a young dog in the house, it’s a “when” not an “if”, but you’d rather it be your slipper then your door frame.

[S1969]

@Sswor

To the OP: basically the dog is bored. Puppies and adolescent dogs are like little kids they need more positive activity outlets then adults or they get themselves into trouble. Does she have a window she can see out of? Is she totally alone or is there a cat or even a neighbor dog she can see or hear during the day? Even better interact with. I’ve had good luck with kong or other durable silicone-type hollow toys that can hold treats or peanut butter, stuffing them full and presenting them right before I walk out the door. Adding plain cherrios to peanut butter will stretch it and bulk it up, and reduce the total calorie count of filling the toy. It’ll only last a few minutes but it’s something to do and then something to return to later.

Make sure there are plenty of toys of different kinds, shapes, materials, and buy new ones often. And yes, this will get very expensive. But not as much as a new couch. Make sure she is not allowed to sit on the furniture while you are away. I found sitting on furniture leads quickly to destroying furniture. I’d rather the dog destroy a dog bed or throw rug, or even crappy old carpeting (I needed new carpet anyway ) then my couch. Laying a 9.99 wooden clothes drying rack across your couch will keep most dogs off. Baby gates or window screens on chairs. No one wants to lay on these things, the floor is more comfortable.

Make sure she has something to do and see during the day and she will be much happier and much less likely to participate in mass destruction. But keep in mind, most young dogs will go through a destructive phase. Minimize their chances as much as possible to destroy they shouldn’t, and give them plenty of opportunities for authorized destruction–new toys. Ripping apart a plush squeaky toy is the bees knees for a destructive dog. It gives them an outlet and if you keep new ones coming, they don’t “learn” how to perform advanced demolition on your home. Something will get torn up with a young dog in the house, it’s a “when” not an “if”, but you’d rather it be your slipper then your door frame.

I normally agree with most of your posts, but I disagree here. Just because you offer the dog toys does not mean they will stop ruining your things. The next “toy” might not be a couch but it might be the cord to your TV. I also disagree that giving a dog a window to look out of is a good solution for a bored dog stuck at home all day - that is how dogs end up creating visual territories to “protect” and then bark at anyone and everyone that enters that territory. It gives them something to do.

I don’t crate all of my dogs, but I do confine them whenever I am gone to one room (sadly, my bedroom is the best room available in my house because of the open floor plan) - although my almost 2 year old is still crated. Even still, on occasion my other dogs have found things to ruin, for no particular reason, including my 11 year old. However, the type of things available to get into trouble in my bedroom are pretty low. But I would never leave them in my whole house; the dog-proofing required is just not worth the risk, nor is it necessary. One room is more than enough space.

[Sswor]

Just trying to brainstorm ideas to help the OP. Removing all visual stimulation from a dog won’t help him/her be better behaved. If the dog is behaving badly due to boredom, systematically removing all sources of stimulation isn’t going to provide positive results. An isolation chamber devoid of interesting things is more likely to make a bored dog get even more creative in an attempt to entertain itself.

Dogs bark at things entering their perceived territory. That’s normal dog behavior. We can’t ask dogs to stop acting like dogs in order to make them be good pets. Well, I guess one could, but it’s not likely to yield positive results. The OP is looking for ways to help her dog. Offering a chance to look out a window during the day to watch the world go by is a small thing that could help break boredom. Might make the dog bark, sure. But dogs bark. And some dogs who are incredibly bored with nothing at all to do just bark at nothing. All day. Basically going slowly insane. I’d rather have a dog that barks at the mailman then a dog that barks at nothing.

Anyway, just offering the OP some ideas, rather then chastise her. Keep buying new toys. It does help to offer things that are approved for destruction. You just have to keep new ones coming, because they get bored with old toys quickly and will seek out something new to rip up sooner or later.

Ps. keep your TV cord, etc out of reach. Obviously

[btswass]

Sswor has the right idea. When you don’t give your dog an acceptable outlet for their energy they are going to find one. And that usually involves destroying things you don’t want destroyed. You really only have two options.

1. crate train
2. LOTS of morning and evening exercise and outdoor activity

Crate training didn’t work for my dog. And being in a confined part of the house was even worse. I would get up extra early in the morning and spend an hour with him outside usually playing fetch (fyi you have to teach a dog how to play fetch. But once you do its a wonderful way to tire them out without having to do much work yourself!) But what most people don’t realize is tiring a dog mentally is going to go a lot further than tiring them physically. So if your short on time in the morning spend half an hour doing some training. If you’ve never taken your dog to a training class start now. Sign up for basic obedience and you will get homework you can work on for 20-30 minutes every morning. Then when you get home in the evening 30-60 minutes of outdoor fun like a walk or fetch and just running around. This should eliminate the destructive behavior. I’d always give my dog one of those treat dispensing balls before I left so he had something to work on for a little bit instead of thinking about how I’m gone. And it gave him something to look forward to when I left the house

[S1969]

@Sswor

Just trying to brainstorm ideas to help the OP. Removing all visual stimulation from a dog won’t help him/her be better behaved. If the dog is behaving badly due to boredom, systematically removing all sources of stimulation isn’t going to provide positive results. An isolation chamber devoid of interesting things is more likely to make a bored dog get even more creative in an attempt to entertain itself.

I don’t disagree. I would just be careful not to trade one bad habit for another. I don’t want my dog to chew the furniture OR bark all day long at every pedestrian, cyclist, and delivery person on my road or at my house. And certainly not in an apartment.

An option - a room with a view of a backyard would be different. And toys and physical and mental exercise may help. But it may not eliminate destructive behavior because dogs cannot always discern what is acceptable or not to chew on.

I can’t imagine leaving any of my dogs loose in my house for very long, but certainly not my almost 2 year old. Even with hard exercise morning and night, and a large backyard and I am home for at least half of each day - he is “destructive” - even while I am here.

By “destructive” I mean he takes things off the counter, he eats leaves off of house plants, he annoys the other dogs, chews random things if he has access…etc. For example, he will empty the recycling bin and chew all the plastic containers…or take logs out of the firewood rack by the wood stove and carry them through the house to chew on…he can jump onto my counters from a standstill. It is not possible to “tire” him out to the extent he would not be a danger to himself or my possessions.

Some dogs need to be contained/kenneled/crated.

[Sswor]

@S1969

toys and physical and mental exercise may help. But it may not eliminate destructive behavior because dogs cannot always discern what is acceptable or not to chew on.

With the disclaimer that I have really only owned terriers and herding breeds under 40lbs, I think they can. By the time they are two years old they have a pretty good grasp of what’s an authorized chew and what’s not. It’s authorized because I gave it to you, or introduced you to it, originally. “Discoveries” are not authorized chews. But “discoveries” are trade-able for authorized chews/treats. Bonus!

Whether it is breed type or training (or dumb luck), I do not know but I have never crated a dog and it’s always worked out. Some were easier then others, but all of them were good home-alone-in-the-house dogs by the time they were 2 years old, present dog included.

I have never had the pleasure of owning a dog like you describe yours to be, S1969. He sounds like a character builder.

[Sswor]

@btswass

But what most people don’t realize is tiring a dog mentally is going to go a lot further than tiring them physically. So if your short on time in the morning spend half an hour doing some training. If you’ve never taken your dog to a training class start now. Sign up for basic obedience and you will get homework you can work on for 20-30 minutes every morning. Then when you get home in the evening 30-60 minutes of outdoor fun like a walk or fetch and just running around. This should eliminate the destructive behavior. I’d always give my dog one of those treat dispensing balls before I left so he had something to work on for a little bit instead of thinking about how I’m gone. And it gave him something to look forward to when I left the house

All really good advice and obedience training is key. Taking a class is really necessary for puppies and young dogs as it gives the owner-dog pair structure and discipline that carries over to the dog’s mind and in it’s decision making (impulse control) and confidence level. Most dogs love doing a series of tasks for their owners, even if it is just sit, down, shake–if it earns a single cheerio it builds focus. Doing obedience or skill drills or trick training for 30 minutes before work with a nightly walk and play time session, and a rotating selection of toys, chews, and treat kong/dispensing toys might completely eliminate the OP’s dog’s destructive behavior.

[S1969]

@Sswor

With the disclaimer that I have really only owned terriers and herding breeds under 40lbs, I think they can. By the time they are two years old they have a pretty good grasp of what’s an authorized chew and what’s not. It’s authorized because I gave it to you, or introduced you to it, originally. “Discoveries” are not authorized chews. But “discoveries” are trade-able for authorized chews/treats. Bonus!

Whether it is breed type or training (or dumb luck), I do not know but I have never crated a dog and it’s always worked out. Some were easier then others, but all of them were good home-alone-in-the-house dogs by the time they were 2 years old, present dog included.

I have never had the pleasure of owning a dog like you describe yours to be, S1969. He sounds like a character builder.

I used to think it was training, but was most definitely proven wrong. This is the 6th Brittany I’ve owned, and definitely the most challenging as far as being “trustworthy”, although I own his sire as well and he was a close 2nd.

But I like to use him as an example of owning an active breed. This is a breed that is designed to be an “all-day hunter.” Meaning that if your dog, in proper condition, cannot keep up with you on an all day hunt - there is something wrong with it.

Now try to put that in the context of a house pet – if I could tire this dog out with 30 minutes of obedience before leaving it alone in the house all day - it would be considered defective.

So expecting this breed to behave for 8 hours without physical and mental stimulation is an unrealistic expectation. Certainly some individual dogs can do it, and many, many others will find their own way to keep busy if given the chance.

People really need to think through their breed selection VERY carefully.