How can i get my dog to stop destroying things?

Question

I have a male Dachshund who has always been an outside dog. He would always dig holes and tear up his toys etc. I never really cared too much because the yard was a mess anyway, and he didn't have to many toys. Well now i am about to move into an apartment, and i want to bring him with me, but every time he is inside he destroys everything he can (chews on EVERYTHING with a goal of tearing it apart). I can not stand to not have him with me there, but i'm not sure how i can train him to stop tearing up things without losing a couple thousand dollar furniture in the process. i know i could keep him in a cage or enclosed, but i plan on turning him into a house dog anyway. i wish i would have started sooner when he was a pup. Any advice how to keep him from tearing things up while i'm gone without worrying how many things he'll tear up a day and without locking him up all the time?

Answer 1

i agree with above comments about crating your dog while out of the house, at least until he is properly trained. hounds, by nature, are always on the prowl, looking for things to take out their aggression on. until you correct this behavior, it's best for both you and the dog to have him in a kennel while you're gone for the day.

i would also like to add that dogs often exhibit this type of obssessive behavior (digging, tearing things apart, etc.) when they don't get enough exercise, especially smaller breeds, which are notorious for being hyperactive anyway. some owners of small breeds think that because their dogs are small, they get enough exercise running around the house, yard, etc., but this is not true. all dogs need a minimum of 45 minutes of walking a day, more when possible. it may seem like a commitment, but it you love your pet, you must look after all of his needs--physical and psychological. i can guarantee that if he's getting enough exercise, that alone will put him on his way to becoming well-adjusted, and you'll immediately notice a decrease in his destructive behaviors.

since you've let him run roughshod, you need to reassert yourself as the "pack leader" of the house. right now, he thinks HE is the pack leader, and you need to assert yourself and let him know that YOU are in charge.

when you're training him, make sure that you're asserting yourself in what is known as a "calm-submissive" way. this means that you don't yell or make a fuss over every thing he does. when he goes near something he shouldn't be dealing with, just make a short noise (kind of like a cross between a "shh" and a hiss) and place your hand on him, so he knows that it isn't acceptable for him to approach that item without your permission. over time he'll learn to respect the boundaries you establish for him, but it's going to take a lot of patience, perseverance, and consistency on your part.

best of luck to you and your pooch! :)

Answer 2

a crate trained dog dose not look at it as a cage but a safe place. my dog i got about a year of age we found him in the desert. he showed sighs of abuse, and in many ways was wild. this was a about 65 lbs what would freak if any standing male got near him, let alone know how to walk on a leash or know that your not to go pee in house. Today he does all those things is a very much a part of the family. all it takes is time and being constant and showing lots and lots of love and few treats. when i started with butch every time i saw him chewing on something that he should not be i would say no in firm voice and the have call him over to his toy basket and give him something from it a bone, a chew toy or what ever and after he took it I'd get happy and say good boy. so that he knew that he can chew but only on his things. try to keep your house picked up so there are less things to tempts him. good luck dog are like kids they do what ever you let them get alway with.

Answer 3

That is a typical problem with Doxies. Been there and done that.
They are diggers. I swear they can hear a earthworm and will dig to China to get it!

They are a high energy breed and wearing them down is hard. Letting the behaviour go is going to make any transition harder. You will have to find a way to keep him exercised, dog park, running with him, trips to country and wide open space. I would suggest using a gate to limit him to kitchen while gone and in training. Child proof the kitchen!!!

Get him some toys that he can destroy and chew safely. I prefer real beef bones for dogs as they last and occupy them better. Small dogs and rawhides are not safe! Pet stores and some grocery stores sell the wrapped bones for dogs.

Be prepared to take him out for a good exercise when get home.
He could use a playmate. Try to find someone with a small dog and arrange play dates at the park. Maybe post a ad at your vet. Arrange some doggie day care, cheaper than new furniture. He is bored silly.

Look for behaviour training in area. You allowed the behaviour and probably need a pro to help train him and you. Lots of patience will be needed.

Answer 4

He's tearing things up because he is an anxious, active dog. He's probably not getting nearly enough exercise for one thing. He's a young dog of an extremely active mix - he needs a ton of exercise! Dogs who don't get it get frustrated and that leads to them getting very destructive out of boredom and frustration. He's probably also letting you know he needs some mental stimulation - that means obedience training to keep his mind occupied. Do some obedience work with him to keep his mind active. Smart dogs need to be kept active and thinking. Crating him when you're gone is necessary. If he can get out of his crate, he must be in a wire crate. Sounds like what he needs is a plastic crate so he can't get out of it. If you get him a plastic crate and combine that with a LOT more exercise as well as obedience training, I'm sure you'll find him becoming a much better behaved dog. The old saying "a tired dog is a good dog" is very true.

Answer 5

For his safety, the best thing to do would be to crate him when you're not home. Alot of people think that this is cruel, but if he would get into something poisonous or choke on something, you would have wished you would have done it. Another option that has worked for me with puppies, adult dogs and even house rabbits is a product called "Bitter Apple". It comes in a spray bottle or a cream and you spray it on furniture and anything else he likes to chew on. It has a terrible taste and most dogs will learn that if they chew on something with that on it, they are going to have a terrible taste in their mouths for awhile. You can only get this online or a pet stores like PetSmart or Pet Supplies Plus.

Also be aware that if he eats his toys or swallows fuzz out of stuffed animals, he could get an intestinal blockage that can be deadly without surgery. I don't mean to scare you, but I want you to be warned.

I'm so glad you decided to bring your dog in the house. I believe dogs should be in the house, and I'm sure it's especially hard on breeds that are meant for companionship like Dachshunds. Good luck!

Answer 6

I know you said you do not want to lock him up all day but you will be better off getting an all wire kennel, like breeders use. Do NOT feel bad about doing this, for most dogs their kennel is a safe haven, like a den would be to a wolf. A 24x17x20 would be dest for a doxie and make sure it is all wire, not the plastic enclosed ones (proselect makes a wonderful kennel). Also get him a kong break up a few treats place them in it then fill it w/ ob and freeze. Give him some of your old socks, t-shirts, towels, etc., they smell like you and will be comferting (plus inexspensive to replace if he does shred them). Leave the tv or radio on for him too. But remember KENNELING YOUR DOG IS NOT BAD! LETTING THEM HAVE THEIR WAY IS! YOU ARE THE ALPHA!

Answer 7

I think that crate training would be an asset. Work on keeping his mouth off of things while your home. Do not correct him on things already done out of site. If he gets into things when your not watching, remember-it would be your fault for not watching. Set up things in the room your in, cover prospective victims with pepper, hot sauce, lemon juice or two sided tape covered in pepper. It will be a deterrent. Or in the kitchen, watch with a lid close by, drop it and startle the dog while saying NO. And when your busy, put him in the crate with an appropriate chewy. Praise good behavior and always only discipline when you have caught doggie in the act. Good luck. Too bad he had time to get into bad habits. Spread the word to your friends about nipping things in the bud before things could change. Also, things do change for many, to allow a dog these habits could discourage the possibility for re-homing if ever needed. And God forbid the animal goes to a home with a not so tolerant owner.

Answer 8

What I did with a dog who contiune to chew things up , the reason being is they are bored , so what you might do is get a toy bone and put peanut butter inside , he will chew so bad that he will get tired and only chew that , try it it will work because they have a hard time getting the peanut butter out .it's like as treat that keeps on giving

Answer 9

put ur dog on a leash? and train him while he's on his leash too. When ur dog does something right, give him a treat, a small one, because they can get fat easily. If he doesn't listen, then no treat. Make sure the treat is something he would really want. Give him chew toys so he'd get used to those instead of ur furniture. Maybe another pup if u can handle it (lol), so he can play with someone while ur away. =)

Answer 10

Dogs tend to chew on anything unless you train him. But since you just let him dig and mess the yard, he will think it'll be okay to do that anywhere.
I suggest you give him something to play with or chew on. Get him a KONG:
http://www.petexpertise.com/item--Kong-Chew-Toy--kong.html

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A12926461%2Cp_4%3AKong&page=1

It is the most durable chew toy I know.
It will also help to say NO whenever he starts tearing up the place and you have to be consistent.

Good luck!