How do I stop my dog destroying everything when I am not home?

Question

I have a 10 Month old Aussie Bulldog. I am away from home for 8 hours a day and she is on her own. When I am away she is eating/destroying anything she can find and reach. She also forces her way through a locked cat door into the house and will run amok inside and tear up magazines, pillows etc.
She has more dog toys than any other dog I know. I have tried ignoring her for a while when I get home, saying NO when I catch her but the problem is that she is perfectly behaved when we are at home. she gets plenty of exercise too (thowing balls etc.)
HELP. I am worried she will get stuck in the cat door and be there all day half in, half out!

Thanks for all the answers.
I would never give my dog an electric shock!! And to be quite honest I don't like the idea of confining her to a small space for 8 hours at a time. Is this humane?
She has 2 Kong toys. Always plenty for her to do

Oh and by the way an Aussie Bulldog or an Australian Bulldog is bred from British Bulldogs. They have alot of the health problems bred out. Great dog!

Answer 1

In this instance, i think the most effective and quick resolve will be to crate your dog. This will immediately prevent pup from getting into things that you dont want it to.

i am not suggesting that this is the only option, but use it in the first instance whilst re training what is acceptable and what is not, I would suggest that boredom may have a bit to do with it, so if you dont walk reguarly add that into your daily routine, and if you do walk maybe start increasing the length and time of it to help tire.

good luck with it all

Answer 2

Like others said, crate training could be hugely helpful. Your dog is still a puppy, so it may be going through a particularly destructive phase. If you get a crate, make sure to introduce the dog to it gradually (throw treats in there to get her in at first, don't close the door right away, let the dog get familiar with it). Feeding meals in the crate, giving all treats in the crate, and such will make the crate a Very Good Place. You might also put a blanket and a toy in there. Make sure she has enough room to turn around.

Make sure she gets lots of exercise and attention when you get home, so she'll burn off the energy. A quick morning walk or jog will also help her to be less energetic during the day, when she is bored, so hopefully she'll just go to sleep.

Another alternative would be to dog-proof a room and keep her confined to there with her toys, or get a pen for her that she can't break out of. With the pen, do the same thing. Feed her there, give her fun toys and treats in there.

You can also get a Kong toy and stuff it with kibble and some wet dog food, peanut butter, or other moist stuff, and give it to her to work on while you are away. It takes most dogs awhile to get all the food out.

Answer 3

I don't blame the poor dog. Dogs should never be left for 8 hours at a time. It is only natutral that he gets bore and so get up to mischief. It is creul to leave a dog that long . You need to either come home in the middle of the day and take him out or hire a dog walker to come in take him out. When you went out for 15 -20 mins he didn't know you would only be a short time he has got used to you being gone 8 hours so just does what he has started to do get in to things. And please don't put him in a crate that would be cruel to have him locked in cage for 8 hours at a time. The cages are a great idea if the dogs only going to be in it for a few hours during the day but not 8.

Answer 4

Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. How to train your dog properly https://tr.im/ompaT

Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.

However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.

A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.

Answer 5

I couldn't keep my dog in a crate. She was an angel when we're home, but she'd throw herself against the crate and bang up the walls. She moved her crate and pulled the curtains down and ruined them. She'd also pee in her crate, even though she's always been housebroken. When she was outside she'd break through the gate and escape. I almost had to get rid of her, but I took her to the vet, and he said that's very common. She had to take some anti-anxiety medication for a while, but now she's a good dog all the time.

Answer 6

Go to the petstore and buy a crate.. Crate the dog when you go out and none of this would be a problem at all..

And before you try and say it's mean.. Dogs love their crates.. Dogs would sleep in a tiny little wee den in the wild.. Dogs that don't need to be crated at night often go to their crate and sleep there for comfort ... Crate the dog.

Answer 7

Pups and young dogs should not be left to their own devices when no one is around.

Either use a crate or a pin to confine your dog. Put her toys and a kong toy, stuffed with a tasty treat in with her. There are portable play pens that might work, but a crate is probably the safest bet, as dogs can sometimes be smart enough to climb the pin.

Answer 8

You're getting some terrible advice here. An electric shock collar will not solve your problems AND is inhumane. Tying your dog out on a stake will continue to increase her anxiety and make her aggressive. Do not do these things.
Saying "NO!!!" might feel good to you because it appears that you're accomplishing something - but, you're not. Get a crate for your dog and learn how to introduce your dog to it properly so that your dog won't flip out.
http://www.dogmanners.com/crate.html
and
http://ask.metafilter.com/63007/My-new-dog-cant-be-left-alone

Answer 9

I agree crate training maybe perfect for Potty train. But 8 hours in crate, I don't like it. I would said put her in bathroom. Make sure there isn't anything that can endanger her.

Answer 10

Hi,
If you haven't attended a good dog traning course you shouldn't complain. You have to learn to understand better your dog, the causes of its bad behaviours and some good techniques to use to get rid of any issue you have with your furry friend.

A good site with a good dog training course is http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=572. I think it's the best dog training course available on the net.
Bye Bye