My Dachshund won't stop eating pillows and cushions?

Question

Whenever he's left to his own devices outside our view he destroys every pillow and cushion in sight. Anyone got any tips to stop him, or punishment for when he does?

Answer 1

You can't punish him unless you catch him in the act - dog training 101. How old is this dog and how long has he been allowed to be destructive? The obvious answer is you need to crate him when you can't watch him. Give him more exercise - a bored dog always turns into a destructive dog. Do some obedience with him - dogs need mental stimulation as well. A tired dog is a good dog, and this one sounds bored and frustrated. (Unless he's a young puppy, then he's just being a typical puppy!)

Answer 2

Some sprays, like bitter apple, can be used by spraying on things and the dog doesn't like the smell so won't chew. However it might make an unpleasant smell on furniture; if that's the case, buy a crate that's proper size for a dachshund and put him in it when you don't supervise him. Even though many people equate a crate with a cage, crates are actually a leap ahead of the cage; it is soft and a favorite place of the dog, his den, his domain; it is like a bed for a human. He will not be unhappy that he must go in when you don't see him; it is his bed where he wants to sleep and spend time alone, plus there's the extra benefit that he won't eat your pillows and cushions!

Answer 3

I am a Dog Trainer and I tell people if you can't keep and eye on your dog put it in a safe room or crate. A gated off kitchen or bathroom will work and crate training isn't mean. Make sure you teach the dog what is the right thing to chew on and don't give it anything that resembles a pillow or cushion.
Many people tell me their dog is chewing up their shoes and when I ask if they gave him and old shoe or slipper they say they did. How is the dog going to know and old shoe from your good shoes? Do some training with your dog because a dog needs a job. If he doesn't have something to do, he will find something to amuse himself and it usually gets him in all kinds of trouble. He isn't doing it to be mean, he thinks it's fun when the pillow rips and the stuffing starts to come out. A safe room is the best if you cannot keep an eye on him.

Answer 4

First off, don't hit the dog, or spray it with a squirt bottle. You do not punish, you correct. Correction is showing the dog that you do not want this behavior and then showing it what behavior is acceptable. The reason the dog does it outside your view is that it has learned that if it does it when you are watching it will get something it doesn't like, do you yell at the dog? If you can catch it you would gently push it away and give a command such as "leave it", then give the dog something that is acceptable to chew on. Yelling "no" at a dog just confuses it for the most part and it just thinks you do not like it and doesn't really relate to the current behavior. You need to catch the dog in the act, correct, and give appropriate object to chew on. Do not allow the dog to be unsupervised around the cushions until you have trained it. Dachshunds are very smart dogs and can very well outsmart you.

Answer 5

Teach pets to stay away from certain areas by spraying these safe, natural repellents directly on the off-limits spot. Harmless blend of natural herbs that makes treated surfaces undesirable to pets. [LINK]

Does he have any chew toys? If not, get him a few soft ones that he can chew up without getting into trouble. Spray the cushions with a repellant but leave the toys alone. When he has acted up, take him to his mess and make him look at it - say "NO" - then put him in the crate for half an hour.

Ever thought about getting him a companion? It might reduce his anxiety and entertain him when you're not home.

Answer 6

My grandparents have two miniature dachshunds, and they chew on everything... But don't usually have a serious problem with it. Wait a few months, and if the dog keeps doing it, take her to see a professional if it's just because she's nosy and playful and bored, or if it's a serious problem. I'd watch out, because my mom's great dane ate a lot of his wooden doghouse, and he died from doing so. Until you can figure out anything, just please keep a close eye on your dog. Remember, if the problem persists, take your dog to see a professional! And on second note, make sure your dog doesn't chew on a lot of wood outside. Most of the wood outside could have chemicals on it or repellant or some kind of spray that would hurt your dog. We lost one of our pets to that earlier this year, because the wood was contaminated and we didn't know it.

Answer 7

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/SIjnC

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 8

You have gotten a lot of good advice already. Don't punish for anything you do not see happen.
Positive reinforcement of the behaviors you want is the best approach. I have listed a website below that gives some great techniques for separation anxiety.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

he probally stressed that you are not there, maybe he hears trucks go by and starts freaking out-my friend has a dachshund who did the same thing except for he pied all over, they ended up having to put him out side or in the mud room when there were not there.