How do I get my dog to stop scratching rugs when I'm not home, he has separation anxiety?

Question

He is 11 years old and none of the answers apply. Someone suggested that I get a puppy for a companion dog.

Answer 1

I haven't learned how to get my dog to stop doing that, I didn't think it was separation anxiety. I have a three bedroom house and one room the door doesn't shut completly so when we left he always went in that room and did his business. So we figured out a way to close that room, so now we close all the doors and now he goes in the hallway, but he tore our carpet all to crap....... So now we have to chain him up outside, yeah I know people of yahoo answers I know it sounds mean, but we have no other choice. He can climb any fence, and I do mean any fence, he climbs ours. Last time he ran away for two days, so we build a dog pin, and he got out of there too, so we left him in our house, now no carpet. When we do leave him in the house he has his moments, but I'm sorry my answer didn't help you any, if anyone comes up with a good answer please let me know.

Answer 2

My mom's dog Max does the same thing. It's not seperation anxiety. Old dogs have sore joints. They scratch rugs to "make a softer nest". Putting down another blanket or bed doesn't seem to work. He just moves it aside. Chances are that is where the sun hits the carpet and that is where he wants his nest. I won't say "put up with it". But you said the other advice won't work (because of his age?). Have you actually tried any of the advice? I do not suggest a pet for your pet. Work with him.

Answer 3

If your kitchen does not have carpeting, put gates up and let him have the kitchen. My two dogs get in to everything and I mean everything while I am gone. So I put child gates up and shut the bedroom doors. They have the kitchen and the hallway while I am gone. So far it is working great. Sorry do not recommend leaving your dog outside too many things can happen. If you decide to leave him outside, try leaving him in the garage make a nice spot for him. My neighbor does that and it works out well.

Answer 4

Thats like my cousin. He made his dog a huge cage to play in out side and he gave the dog lots of toys. And with a few treats the dog was fine, cause if got to enjoy the out side instead of being cramped inside. And he can just go to the bathroom there and dig some holes.

Answer 5

Big crate but before you leave or when you get the crate put treats in it and his food and then he will start to like it. You should also put blankets in it and stuffed animals. Oh and dogs don't like to pee in there private arias so when you get home he will go strait out to pee so open the door. And don't be gone long!!!

Answer 6

My dog scratched rugs not when his tummy hurt. We always had rugs by the door, and they'd scrunch them all up and lay down on them like that, almost always after they'd eaten something we shouldn't have fed them.

Answer 7

I bought some spray for a little puppy who wouldn't stop tearing up the carpet in my apartment. I sprayed this stuff on the "hot spots" and he stoped. the spray is called "Bitter Apple Chewing Prohibitive Spray"

Answer 8

Put him in a crate when you are not there... Or you can talk to your vet and they can give you some doggie downers to give him..

My dog will howl and bark like she is getting murdered, not to mention she will chew stuff and potty on the floor....


SO I put her in her crate when I am not there, she feels safe and no more problems.

Answer 9

Spend time with him before you leave
Take him for a long walk to tire him out.
Make sure he has lots of fun toys to keep him occupied.
Leave the radio on when you go out, or record yourself talking to him and play that for him when you go out.

Answer 10

leaving adog alone with lot of energy he's bound to find some thing to do wether it scratching thing or ruing youre furniture.give him some time to run out side and this proble should stop.