How to deal with a destructive dog

[Jen and Annie]

It had been 10 years since I had a puppy in my house, but who can ever forget the incredible and widespread destruction that a tiny ball of freaking-adorable can wreak on your house and personal accoutrements?  Replacing the linoleum in our brand new house because there was a 3 foot mangled section 'removed' for us in a matter of minutes, teeth shaped holes in the drywall, carpet, shoes, underwear, purses, belts, very hazardous electrical cords...  Ahh. memories.  My sweet doodle didn't do any of this -  This was 10 years ago, when I was much younger, and understood much less about dogs than I do now.  I still have a whole lot to learn, but I've come a long way.  

I'll start by saying that I am probably not telling anything here that isn't already known by the members of this forum. It seems like a solid bunch of folks who truly care about their dogs.  

When I see my puppy exhibiting destructive behavior against anything except for her belongings - I realize that she is not being destructive - she is finding something to do because she is bored and has lots of puppy energy.  Even though my living room is littered with 47 dog toys of various shapes, sizes and colors - sometimes my couch or my pillows or my carpet seems much more exciting to explore.  With my puppy anyways, if she starts to get restless - outside we go with the tennis ball or frisbee or feather wand. And we play. We do clicker trick and obedience training too - but I save that for night time, when I can't go outside with the tennis ball, lest I trip on my own feet because I cannot see.

All my pup needs is about 20-30 minutes, twice a day outside with the tennis ball and she is a different dog. A tired puppy is a well behaved puppy.  I have personally found that play time with Annie also builds the bond between us - and I can't exactly put it into words, but it's incredible. Maybe I'm some weird flowerchild hippie and it's all in my head, but my puppy is happy when we're playing, because she is smiling the whole time.  This is the dog I have always wanted. 

I truly believe that the answer to most behavioral problems* in dogs is their need to interact with their human in some way.  Whether it's play, work, therapy - Modern Dogs were bred to interact with humans and I think they are truly happier and whole when they are doing so.      

Just in my few short days on the forum, I know that everyone here cares so deeply for their dogs, so this information is probably nothing new to anyone here.  I felt like writing this because of some recent experiences I have had with other dogs and their humans, and I could see where the problems were.  Our dogs are not personal belongings - they are thinking, feeling beings that long for our attention, and they will get our attention.  If we aren't interacting with them on a relational level, they may get our attention in other less desirable ways. If this sheds light to just one person and encourages them to pay attention to what their dog is telling them, then I feel better.

     *behavioral problems such as chewing, digging, tearing things up as a result of boredom

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow....I couldn't agree more!  When they get into destructive and negative behaviors it's usually because they're frustrated and just need us to give them the outlet they deserve.  This was so well stated....thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for this blog, Jen. It's such an important topic, and you've expressed it so well. Annie is a lucky doodle!

[Jen and Annie]

Thanks for the comments, guys.  We take our dogs down to starbucks sometimes to hang out, and they used to get VERY excited, trying to jump on people, pulling on the leash to go see or sniff something.  Now, we always work in a 20 minute play session before heading out, because they are SO much better behaved when they are pooped!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wonderful blog, Jen. We all need this reminder!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Everything you have written is so true.  Even though I have had foster dogs through my home Baxter was my very first puppy ever.  Every previous dog I had adopted through the years was at least a year or more older.  If Baxter does not get exercised (and even if he does) and/or played with regularly  he is looking for something to do that will get my attention and usually not in a good way:(  What amazes me with Baxter is how something he has previously not paid much attention to will suddenly become very interesting to chew on such as the couch, toy basket, etc.

[BG and Gavin]

This is a great post Jen.  You hit the nail on the head.  Exercise and training build a bond and go a long ways toward creating a happy, confident, well-adjusted dog (and owner).

[Donna P.]

I agree whole heartedly. Bayley just turned 1 this Saturday, so she is over most of the destructive chewing, but we go down to the pasture, (me, Bayley, and Mayzie, the beardie) and I use a racquet ball racket to bonk a ball as far as I possibly can. I keep two balls in the air at all times. As fast as one dog brings me a ball, I launch it again. They've come to expect their ball time, and start barking when they know it's time to go play. Great exercise for them, little effort for me. Yeah!!!