Destructive behavior in dogs is not normal. This tends to happen when a puppy or adult dog feels bored or lacks appropriate exercise. Dogs who experience this usually tend to exhibit excitable or frustrated behavior, such as chewing and digging. As well as ensuring your dog's recovery in sports and play activities, it's also important to provide obedience training for discipline, exercise and affection.
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Method 1 of 5: Understanding Destructive Behavior in Your Dog
Step 1. Understand the causes of destructive behavior in dogs
While the notion of destructive may depend on your judgment and exactly what your dog is doing, not all behavior that destroys objects that you don't allow occurs with intent to destroy. Dogs love to chew things. When a puppy behaves destructively, the destructive play is aimed at investigating and testing the limits set for him, not intentionally destroying the objects. On the other hand, an adult dog who behaves destructively may exhibit negative behaviors such as chewing, digging holes in the yard, or deliberately chewing bushes, you need to pay attention to. In addition to aggressive behavior, which although destructive in nature is not discussed in detail in this article, common problems that can be judged as destructive behavior include:
Step 2. Identify overactivity or hyperactivity tendencies
Is your dog always full of energy and always active? Is your dog always chewing things, turning around, barking, or making a mess? Hyperactivity is often a matter of perception. Most experts conclude that hyperactive behavior is rare in dogs. Most dogs just need more attention and exercise. Veterinarians only diagnose hyperactivity in a dog if the dog does not experience/has all other possibilities.
Step 3. Find out if your dog is displaying attention-seeking behavior
Does your dog frequently bark, bite household furniture, or urinate indiscriminately to get attention? We often judge this behavior by focusing on the negative behavior, which further encourages the dog's behavior to be more attention seeking. If this is the case, you will need to reprogram your dog's expectations. You need to give him the usual attention. Pay attention to your dog only when the dog is behaving positively.
Step 4. Recognize the anxiety of being left behind
One of the best things is that a dog clings to its owner. Sometimes, this closeness is so strong that your dog doesn't know how to become independent. About 10% of puppies and adult dogs experience some degree of anxiety when left alone. In more extreme cases, a dog will become angry and start barking, pacing, urinating, and destroying walls or doors in order to join the owner.
Step 5. Observe if your dog is afraid of loud noises
Your dog may respond fearfully to loud noises such as thunder or fireworks by smashing doors, walls, or other objects in order to hide. Understand how your dog thinks. This kind of behavior indicates that your dog feels threatened by things he doesn't know, namely loud noises.
Step 6. Find out if your dog is just bored
Do you lock your dog in an empty white-walled room all day? Is the dog forced to sit in tight spaces without being exercised or stimulated? If so, your dog is behaving destructively simply because he wants to entertain himself. Give toys to dogs when you travel. Provide a blanket for the dog to lie down on. Move the dog to a different area so the dog can investigate new things. In short, give your dog something to do to keep the dog from getting bored. You would feel the same way if you were in his position.
Method 2 of 5: Burning Your Dog's Excess Energy
Step 1. Take your dog for regular walks
If you neglect to maintain a regular walk with your dog, start this activity again. If you haven't done this routine yet, start now. And if you feel like you don't have time to walk your dog regularly, find someone who can. Take your dog for regular walks and try to include an element of exercise during walks. Some of the ways are:
- Buy a dog leash that is long enough. The closer you are to your dog on a walk, the more it will know that you are a person of authority and control. Do not let the dog walk behind you or in front of you, but always beside you. This makes him understand that you have the authority and he must submit.
- Take your dog for a walk in a challenging area. Try somewhere hilly or downhill. Allow the dog to rest occasionally and also bring water as needed so the dog can drink. Your dog will probably get used to the same trails, so change lanes every now and then so that your dog feels challenged and doesn't get bored.
- Go to a beach where dogs are allowed. Exercising on the sand is great for your dog's muscle building, and your dog can swim in the ocean and play catch and throw with you. If you don't have a ball, use objects you can find around the beach to play catch and throw with your dog.
- Go to different parks with your dog. Find a park that allows dogs and schedule visits to the park that vary each week. This variety will excite you and your dog, by seeing new sights and exploring new places.
Step 2. Play with your dog often
Apart from walking, play is also an important part of interacting with your dog.
- Play catch and throw in the yard for 15 minutes every day. Try doing this in the morning, when you are still energized and your dog is usually very energetic. You will notice that the dog has lower energy throughout the day if you have exhausted his energy in the morning.
- Set up a meeting with your canine friends. Find friends who have dogs and plan a meeting in a public location so your dog can play with other dogs. Of course, you also need to find out in advance if your dog can play with other dogs.
- Buy a frisbee and help your dog get used to playing with it. Once the dog understands the function of the frisbee, let him have fun and join in on the fun.
Step 3. Provide a place for your dog to dig
If you can't subdue it, just go along with it by at least providing a place where your dog can dig without destroying your garden. Dig a large enough hole and bury some things your dog likes in it. Bury things not too deep and close to the ground first. Gradually, bury those things deeper. This can help keep your dog from digging elsewhere. It will also be useful if you cover up the previously dug holes.
- If your dog is digging because he is bored, increase his play and exercise activities. Don't leave your dog alone in the yard all day.
- If your dog is digging because he seems to want to make a nice, cool, comfortable bed, create a shaded area for him, with a comfortable, cool layer of bedding for the dog to lie down in.
Method 3 of 5: Giving Your Dog the Right Toys
Step 1. Fill your dog's room with toys when you leave
The time of day is the most common time for dogs to behave destructively, which is when you go to work or do something outdoors. Your dog can feel lonely, excluded, or unloved. Make sure that you reassure your dog that you still love him before you leave him by giving him lots of attention, playing catch, or taking him for a walk. When you're ready to go somewhere, leave a new bone or a new toy for your dog. It will distract him and keep him busy while you are away. Dogs are less likely to seek attention when you provide for their needs before you leave.
Step 2. Don't always give away old toys
If your dog always plays with the ten toys you bought him a long time ago, he will become bored and disinterested in the toys when you leave. Make sure that you hide these toys in the closet and only give them two or three toys at a time. If you rotate the toys, your dog will be more entertained and think that the toy that was hidden for a long time is a new one. In addition, this method will also save you money if you plan to leave the house for a long time.
Step 3. Provide a toy stick or treat your dog can nibble on
This will stop it from biting other objects. Toys made of rawhide and other organic materials that can be bitten are not durable or permanent toys. These toys can bite, and the size of the bite pieces will vary depending on your dog's body size and spirit level. The cuts can be sharp and can do serious harm to your dog's mouth, throat and digestive tract.
Method 4 of 5: Provide a Comfortable Environment for Your Dog
Step 1. Provide a quiet and comfortable environment
Your dog will be more distracted and overactive if he is in a chaotic environment. Turn on the television at a low volume and close the door, as outside noise can have a negative effect on dogs. Or rather, your dog will love the sound. Consider keeping the radio on at home while you're at the office. This will help your dog calm down when you leave the house.
Step 2. Keep your dog out of overcrowded situations
If your dog feels overcrowded, either because you put him in a tight space or force him to share space with other dogs without giving him his own space, your dog will behave abnormally. In particular, male dogs will fight for territory if they feel their personal space is too tight.
Step 3. Make sure that your dog is well fenced
A bad fence can allow your dog to sneak out and cause him to behave in a destructive manner, including chasing cars, fighting with other dogs, or potentially even attacking other people. In many locations, you are legally obligated to ensure that your dog is in a protected area and is liable if your dog misbehaves.
Step 4. Use a crate for your dog and use the crate properly
Provide a crate that your dog can use when you're not at home, so the dog can sleep in it. To get your dog used to his “safe place”, keep him in his crate throughout the day while you go about your routine, and while sleeping at night. The goal is for the dog to know that the crate is a safe place, and to be calm while in it. Remember, don't use the crate as a form of punishment for your dog.
Cages are great training tools for puppies and dogs as young as teens. You can train your dog to spend time in that tight space. Dogs can't break anything while in the crate. As long as you don't leave them there too long, dogs will learn to like their crate
Method 5 of 5: Training Your Dog Properly
Step 1. Encourage proper chewing in dogs
Dog toys like balls and kongs are great for dogs, but just make sure you pick the right size for your dog. The toy must be accessible to him and carried so that the size must be appropriate and cannot be swallowed. Praise the dog when he chooses his toys and not other things that you don't want to do.
Do not give toys in the form of objects that are not supposed to be used for playing. For example, don't give your dog a toy in the shape of an old shoe, because your dog won't be able to tell the difference between an old shoe and a new one
Step 2. Don't encourage chewing on things you shouldn't
If you see your dog chewing something that shouldn't be chewing, reprimand your dog by taking the object away from him. Direct his attention to other chewable items and praise when your dog chews on chewable items. Periodically, your dog will learn which things are his and which are not.
Step 3. Prevent your dog from chewing on things that shouldn't be chewed by spraying a special liquid
The first time you use a dog deterrent spray, lightly spritz it on a piece of tissue or cotton. Carefully bring it close to your dog's mouth. Let him lick it and spit it out. If you don't like it, your dog will shake his head, salivate, or vomit. Your dog won't take the tissue or cotton anymore either. Usually, your dog will learn to associate the taste and smell of the deterrent spray, and this will prevent him from chewing on objects that smell the same.
- Use deterrent spray on all objects that are prohibited for your dog. Spray this special liquid every day for two to four weeks. There are several flavors in dog deterrent spray and these can be purchased at your local pet store.
- However, be aware that successful treatment of destructive chewing behavior requires more than using dog deterrent spray. Dogs need to learn what to chew and what not to chew. Read our article on using different flavors of dog deterrent spray (in English), for more information.
Tips
- If your dog keeps chewing, don't let him chew on your old things like socks, clothes, or children's toys. This will only confuse him about what to chew and what not to chew. Try buying a toy in the form of a special leash for dogs at your local pet store and giving the toy to your dog when you see him chewing on things he is not allowed to do.
- It is normal that different dog breeds have different energy levels. For example, Golden retrievers and German Shepherds have more energy than poodles. Research and find out how much energy your dog has, and don't be disappointed if your dog does have a lot of energy, as this is generally normal behavior.
- Always carry a plastic bag with you when walking or exercising with your dog, to ensure that you can properly dispose of the litter.
Warning
- Be careful when you adopt a dog. Make sure first that the dog has no history of violence and has received the necessary vaccinations.
- If your dog bites or injures someone, make sure you get their temperament tested immediately at your local authority, and consult your local community agency, veterinarian, or animal care foundation for their behavior.
