Destructive Chewing

[Jamila]

Okay I have been leaving the dogs inside when I'm gone. This has been going on with great results for about a month or so. When I leave I don't make a fuss or even speak a word I just go. When I come back I don't say hi to them for minutes. I ignore then until I get myself situated and what not. I have been walking them twice a day for 30-45 minutes each time.

Here's what has happened: My niece and I walked the dogs one evening. We went back to my house to drop the kids off and let me change clothes. We went shopping and then I dropped my niece back to her home. I came in the door to find this



I have a strong feeling it was Lucky that ate it. There was no chewed up bits so I think he just straight ate it. I wasn't that surprised because I did leave it on the floor. It was an empty cereal box for the rats to chew on, I was getting geared up to clean their cage. I have caught him before chewing paper products so I assume it was him.

Okay so the next evening same routine. My niece and I walk the dogs, drop them off I change clothes and we left. I came home this time to Lucky sitting on the couch with my couch pillow gutted next to him and fluff surrounding him.

I was thinking, why is he doing this all the sudden? The only thing I can think of is when we leave my niece says good bye to each of the dogs. She pets them and talks to them even while closing the door. Do you think this is why he is showing signs of separation anxiety? He loves my niece a lot. I mean every time she is near he sits right at her feet. He kisses her. Even when I go pick her up to walk he normally just sits in the back of the van quietly when we go places, but when he sees her come out of the front door he ro-ro's as he's happy to see her. He doesn't react to anyone else like this. I mean he is a loving boy but he adores my niece.

Any input would be nice. I put out plenty of toys for them to chew on. I told my niece that when we leave we need to silently leave. I will find out how it works tonight. But like I said if there is any more advice I'm welcoming it.

[Rivsky]

Sounds like it probably does have something to do with your neice. Did having her ignore Lucky when you left the next time work?

[Jamila]

yeah he didn't tear anything up this last time.

[Ritz459]

I'm glad you found out why he was doing it!

I remember one time Sadie got out of her crate while we were gone...we came home and there was a shredded paper towel tube (along with the towels) all over our front room. She didn't get into anything else or mess anywhere, she just killed the paper towel roll. lol

[Jamila]

Something about paper products and animals they love to destroy them...lol.

[Jamila]

That wasn't the problem. I came home today and my favorite deck of Marilyn Monroe cards were all over the floor with some missing. Fallon grabbed one to give to me. Talena had one in her mouth. I don't know what to do cause I'm about to be working and gone for 9 hours a day this coming week.

[Rivsky]

Is there perhaps a room you can make off limits where you can put stuff you really don't want the dogs getting into? I know that's not really solving the problem but it seems to only be cardboard/paper items that are being ruined at the moment so could be one way around it.

[Jamila]

I will try that. I thought I had everything up but apparently I didn't. I don't blame the dogs. I just didn't pay attention to what was dog level. Now I will make another sweep of the house. We will see how this week goes.

[Rivsky]

Good luck Jamila!

[Dangels]

I hope nothing else gets chewed up this week. Maybe you could put up a baby-gate, so they are in a certain area while you are at work?

Best of luck!

[Carrie]

I don't think this sounds like full blown seperation anxiety....just boredom. You can try hiding some treats around the house that are hidden in some interactive type toys....treats that are a challenge to get at in various places. Start out by teaching/helping them to find treats and novel toys that are easy to find and then work up to more difficult hiding places. Stuffed Kongs and other safe toys that they don't get when you're at home would keep them busy for a while. If that doesn't work, perhaps a room that is doggie proof plus keeping your things that you don't want chewed put away. I'd increase the exercise (mental and physical) before you leave...really tire them out more. Maybe there's a neighbor or family member who could come during the long days that you're gone and let them out for some fun and a potty break. 9 hours is a long time for them to be alone. Good luck.

[Sentry]

They have figured out your new routine! They know you are leaving after a walk and you change your clothes. My mastiff hates when I put make-up on because he knows I'm heading out the door,LOL They don't sound super destructive but swallowing anything they shouldn't is a problem. We leave large soup bones with peanutbutter or cheeze wiz filled in the middle (freezing a few helps so they are ready). Dogs ushually are distructive with in the first 20 minutes that you leave, treats that keep them busy for this time work best for us. We also put the small dogs in large crates and any young dogs stay in a gated room with them til they are trustworhty in the rest of the house. We do pull room doors shut too, no one can go upstairs, in grandma's room, or get the chance to steel the tiolet paper and TP the house while we are gone,LOL
Hope this helps, It works for us and believe me a mastiff left upset can do major damage, people have lost an entire sofa! Thank goodness our mastiffs are not destructive=)