what can I do about my dogs destroying just about anything they can get into when I am out of the house?

Question

they don't do it every day, but every so often I come home & a piece of carpet is destroyed, a sofa pillow, a runner & even CD's
I am @ the end of my witts. Pleasee give me some advise, but no
bull - answers, thanks

Answer 1

Try going to a few websites under "dog whisperer". There's a guy who has a TV show by that name, I think. I'm not sure of his name, but he's Hispanic, and I think his first name is Cesar. He analyzes not only the dog's behavior, but what the owner does to encourage that behavior, mostly without even realizing it. He could solve seemingly complicated problems, very efficiently.

Since dogs have a fixed range of behaviors, the cause of various neuroses can be identified, and since they're also "pack animals" they look to you (their "pack leader") for "do's" and "don'ts". Please research these sites, and take some time to figure out what to do.

Personally, I don't think sticking them in crates really solves the problem.

Answer 2

Look into crate-training. While some people think that it is cruel, they are misinformed. Crating your dog will not only keep your house safe but your dogs, as well. It will keep them from accidentally ingesting something hazardous. Many dogs have to have emergency surgery because the stuffing from pillows and cushions blocks their digestive tracts.

Also, the crate allows your dogs to have a place of their own...their own den. It may take a little while to train them, but the rewards are plentiful. This is also a benefit for when you travel or have guests over or in any kind of emergency where you may need to confine your dogs.

Make sure to give them a Kong toy or something to keep them busy as well.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My dogs do the same thing sometimes too, I think it's because they get bored, just like people do. I turn on the radio or the TV before I leave my house. I also have a puzzle ball (get at any pet store), raw hides lots and lots of toys for them to play with. I come home on my lunch break and let them run out side. If I ever forget to do something before I go, I know it's going to be a mess when I get in.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Your dogs are working out the stress they experience when you are gone-they probably do it on the days that you are gone the longest and the experience then longer and worse anxiety. You can either contain to a room or a area wheer they have a rug to li on,several safe toys they can shake around and depending on the length of time you'll be gone-waterBut the enclosure has to be sturdy enough to contain them-can even be a corner of the house with a strong moveable barrier-carpenter can probably do it cheaply. You do not mention breed or size-if small dogs then a animal play pen will do but if large dogs too flimsy or have read that dogs who are so destructive when left alone while owner works are put on PROSAC by the VETERINARIAN and its according to what I read very effective and has enabled the owners to keep their dog(s).Good Luck

Answer 5

The best way to stop it for sure is to crate train them. (put them in a kennel when out, or confine them to a room or area where there is nothing for them to get into.) You can try supplying them with plenty of toys that they can chew on. But dogs don't like to be left alone, that is why they often become destructive as there way of getting back at us for leaving them. Crate training has saved many many of our items from being chewed up! You can read more about it by googling "crate training"

Answer 6

we have 3 dogs and fortunately dont have that problem

exercise is the key..a little while before leaving take them out and run them all that you can...until they get tired..also allow them to potty

during extremely hot weather, rainy days or temps below 32 degrees we leave our dogs in our bedroom with the air conditioner fan on, a small fan on the dresser and the tv on and the room is as dark as we can get it..dark curtains with blinds

we also toss them some rawhides

we dont have any problems with them when they are in the bedroom for hrs at a time

they dont tear anything up and only potty in the master bath about once every 2-3 months and then it is only one of them that does it

try confining them to one room with very little destructable items in there, toss some rawhides and see what happens...to much room to roam in a house is just asking for trouble...when confined to a single room they are less likely to get into trouble

we just tell ours to go to bed and they all go into the bedroom and wait for the door to shut...we keep a couple of old comforters/blankets on the floor also

Answer 7

You can purchase a crate from Wal-Mart and put him in there during the day. We have 3 and this is what we do. It also gives the dog a place to retreat to, like a make-shift den.

Answer 8

Put them in a crate or cage. They come in different sizes depending on your dogs size. They won't like it in the beginning being that they've had roam of the house but you'll save your belongings and your sanity and your dogs in the longrun.

Answer 9

take your dogs for more walks- you need to get them tired before you leave the house so that they are not full of energy when you leave. if you dont have the time to walk them, then buy them numerous toys to occupy them while you are away. If that doesnt work then try to crate in a cage while you are gone, and rewarding them when they are good.

Answer 10

I would suggest crate training. This is possibly boredom or separation anxiety and crating or confining to a limited space where they can be destructive is your best best to prevent this from happening.