How do I handle destructive behavior in my 1 year old mixed-breed dog? It only happens when I leave home.?

Question

So far, the behavior has not hurt my dog in any way but I'm concerned that it could if he gets into anything dangerous. I've removed a lot of objects from the rooms he has access to in the daytime so that he can't get into them, but he always finds something! He's a rescue dog and I think this behavior is related to possible separation anxiety. Advice?

Answer 1

Try this:

Choose a day when you can spend whole day him (even better if you can have a whole week off)

start from 10 minutes-you go out without making fuss mean while give him something to do. Perhaps his favorite toy or a bone

then come back do not make fuss. ignore your dog for 5 minutes. And give him attention

Repeat this process and increase the intervals.

Answer 2

Put him in a crate. Leave the house then minutes com back in, praise him so that he knows you are coming home, keep doing it and enlarge the time difference in between times. First walk to the end of your driveway and back, then to the neighbors, then down the street, then around the neighborhood, and so on!!!! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Most rescues suffer from separation anxiety, but that may not be your dogs issue. Separation anxiety needs to be diagnosed by a behavioral specialist.

To curb his behavior, crate him. Buy a crate thats large enough for him to turn around in and lay comfortably inside, and leave him in it when you're not home.

His behavior either stems from boredom, or an anxiety disorder. Try putting up a 24-hour camera in a room where he does the most damage. Leave the home as you usually would and time how long it takes him to jump into his normal behavior. If its less than two minutes, its most likely NOT a boredom issue.  

Answer 4

yes, it is separation anxiety, i would just train my dog to trust me that when i leave i am coming back, and i would call a trainer and see if it is very serious and see what the trainer recommends.

Answer 5

Try crating him when you're gone, give him a treat filled Kong or bully stick to keep him occupied in his crate.  

Answer 6

Best bet is to relieve the anxiety and help him become more confident.  

Many dogs find a crate comforting even if they seem to be upset by it at first.  A routine to keep him well exercised is helpful as well.  And as hard as this may be - Ignore him more.  

Rescues can be needy, and we feel sorry for them so we pay lots of attention to them.  The most important time to leave him be is right after you get home.  He will need to go out of course.  But ignore all attempt to get petted, don't talk, etc.  After his needs are met and he calms down - then call him to you (calm and quiet) and pet him as long as he stays calm.   This is important....call him, don't go to him.  Always keep yourself calm around him.

We often reward the nutty behavior of our dogs because it makes us feel important.  But for their own good we have to change our reaction so they will feel better about themselves!

I have been there.  My Lab 'ate' remote controls and underwear.  My pit mix 'ate' a stuffed chair.  My current Lab and mix breed are benefiting from years of mistakes I made with previous dogs.

Answer 7

Yes your dog has separation anxiety my pitt had that and she tour up the door and ran to my work. I tried putting her on a chain wile I was at work for 4 hours but as soon as I walked away she started wining. Someone is going to have to be with him 24 hours a day. Hope this helps :) unfortunately my dog diedat 4 years old due to a brain toumor :(

Answer 8

Crate-train and p**p-train him to the crate for days when no-one's home. That way he can't get into mischief. Proper training makes it tolerable and OK for a dog to wait all day to go.  Thus, he can stay in crate til U get home!

Answer 9

It`s from lack of attention from you. This doesn`t mean you`re not giving him lots, some dogs can never get enough, and you don`t really know what his life was like before, and if he`s a rescued dog, he probably had a crappy life before you.

The second is his age. At about 18 months or so, they just sort of grow out of that behavior. It`s the puppy in them, chew all, eat all, dig everywhere, explore, etc.

In teaching them what is bad, don`t ever hit. It causes an animal to have low self-esteem.

When you catch a bad behavior incident, look right in his eyes, and make a frown, and in a serious and deeper, loud-ish voice, say NO, BAD DOG, NO, NO.  Be very stern. Then you ignore them for 10 minutes. Then it`s over, give him a hug. All better.

Especially in dogs, they absolutely HATE it when you`re mad or disappointed in them. They live for you and your approval. When you call them and they come, never scold them NO MATTER WHAT. This teaches them a negative, and they will eventually stop coming when called. This is an excellent and very best way to teach them to always come when called. (ever have the experience of calling and pleading with them to come and they run around you just staying far enough away so you can`t grab them, and you just want to beat them when you finally get them!!???) (acting like they`re teasing you and you`re madder and madder??!)

That is from wanting to obey, but have previously been scolded when they did come.

Good luck, if you adopted a rescued dog, then you`re a great person. He`ll know soon enough, and be a wonderful and grateful lifelong companion!