Why does my 1 1/2 year old chihuahua chew up everything the second I leave the house?

Answer 1

It is called, separation anxiety. Here are several tips to help you understand this behavior, and different methods of dealing with the problem..Just see which ones will fit your circumstances.
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2510076&page=1
http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm
from veterinary view> http://www.vetinfo.com/dsepanx.html

Answer 2

Yup. What chesco said. The problem is explained quick. The solution takes a little patients and work. When you =part of the pack or even the alpha dog leaves he gets nervous because dogs live in packs and are not really made for being away (alone) from the pack. 1 1/2 is also very young.

Chewing is natural to dogs and they use it to calm themselves down. Also: your things have your scent on them and that makes your dog feel close to you (ever cuddled up in your boyfriend's t-shirt because it smelled like him??!).

While you wait for chesco's links I can give you some quick tips and you can start approaching the problem.

First of all take a day where you don't have to go anywhere and leave your dog alone for maybe 5 to 10 minutes depending on how anxious he gets. DON"T make a big deal out of leaving or coming back! Continue doing this and increase the time you leave him alone in accordance with how he copes with it. Give him bones and chew toys while you are gone.

Dogs don't know wrong or right - ONLY safe or unsafe. It is safe to chew when you are gone! So try to find a way to watch him (through a window maybe or listen from outside the door) and as soon as he starts chewing on something come in and tell him "No!" in a strict voice.

According to European experts dogs should not be left alone longer than 4 to 5 hours.

Answer 3

I have a rottweiler who likes to chew things up when I leave the house, too. Your dog probably just doesn't want you to leave him alone. Since you can't avoid leaving the house, I would put him in a room that doesn't have much to chew, or get a cage for him.

Answer 4

Could be separation anxiety. I went through this with my dog. One vet I consulted suggested medication and another vet suggested crating and I chose to start using the crating method so she would not have free reign of the house. Now she views her crate as her space and enjoys it very much and will rest there even with the door open and I am home. This method saved much frustration from myself about things being torn up and it saved our relationship. She eventually grew out of the separation anxiety when she realized that I did return home.

Answer 5

Maybe anxiety attacks because the dog is in use to being home alone.

Answer 6

It is caused from separation anxiety you need to invest in a kennel to put him/her in while you are gone.