Dog digging in a flower bed, you will note the dog is part Border Collie, photo from Wikimedia.
Why Do Dogs Destroy Stuff?
- They are puppies, puppies need to teethe and chew things naturally.
- Failure of the owner to train them what they can chew and what they cannot.
- Failure of the owner to provide the dog with alternative items that they can chew.
- Some breeds, such as Terriers, are naturally more destructive, having been bred to hunt or dig up other animals.
- Boredom is the leading cause of undesirable behavior, and is the result of a lack of mental stimulation.
What is “Mental Simulation”?
Some breeds are more intelligent than others, Border Collies and other herding breeds for example, are very smart. When these dogs are not given enough mental stimulation they look for something to keep their mind busy. You might have heard the phrase “Ignorance is Bliss”, when applied to dogs, this shows why the lower intelligence dogs are often the happiest, and least destructive.
So how do you provide mental stimulation to a dog? Well for starters Obedience Classes help a whole bunch. The class fills a part of the dogs mind that wants do learn, a good owner also then spends some time at home daily practicing what they learned in class. This can progress to agility work or further levels of obedience. A smart dog needs this kind of mental activity, especially if an owner cannot provide the kind of work that a dog was bred to do, such as herding sheep.
A run or long walk is not considered mental stimulation, playing catch is. There are some dog toys being made that provide the dog with a mental challenge such as getting a toy out from inside another toy.
Dog with a toy ball, an excellent source of mental stimulation is the game of “catch”, photo from Wikimedia.
Does a Fence Make a Difference?
Yes! Having a fenced yard or even a dog run, does help control destructive behavior, when compared to keeping a dog on a chain. The dog can see the boundary and is less frustrated. If a dog is digging, providing it with a dog run and cement pad will stop the digging, but the dog must be given toys to entertain itself with while in the confines of the dog run. Aggressive behavior is most commonly associated with keeping of a dog on a chain without having a fence.
Toys, What Toys?
Dogs who want to chew need something to chew on, and if you do not provide it, they will find something themselves. As such it is best to provide your dog with a full range of chew toys. Some hard, some soft, and some in between. Rope toys are great as are the hard rubber type, which you can often fill with peanut butter or dog food, to encourage use. Plastic toys are not always great, as they can be destroyed depending on the type of plastic. A dog owner should plan on buying some toys that probably will be destroyed, especially if your dog is a puppy, so make sure the toys you buy are dog safe. Interestingly enough, baby (human) toys are not dog safe.
Owner Responsibility
An owner has to realize when they get a dog, that many breeds can exhibit destructive behavior if left alone too long. If a person does not have time to supervise a dog, particularly a puppy, they should expect problems. Teaching the dog “NO” is very important, but will only frustrate the dog if you have not provided a proper alternative. A dog is much like a child, if not given proper instruction what is right and wrong, how are they going to know? Leaving a smart dog home alone for a day is no different than leaving a child home alone, and expecting it to “be good” all day.
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User Comments
goodselfme
On October 25, 2008 at 11:21 am
I don’t have a dog, but I think this is a helpful article for those with canines.
RJ Chamberlain
On October 25, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Thanks for this info B Nelson. My dog is at this stage at the moment and your article has reinforced that I am doing things correctly and given me a few extra tips. Thanks a lot.
Darla Smith
On October 25, 2008 at 4:19 pm
This is a very helpful article. Our dog recently got hit by a car and we’re planning to get another soon.
PR Mace
On October 25, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Thank you for posting this. Everyone who is looking at adopt a dogs should read it. Too many people just throw their dogs away if they are not perfect.
nobert soloria bermosa
On October 25, 2008 at 4:55 pm
very helpful,thanks for this
Moses Ingram
On October 25, 2008 at 6:16 pm
These are very helpful tips. Thanks for a great article.
eddiego65
On October 26, 2008 at 9:21 am
This is truly helpful. Thanks!
Rionel "2tet" Belen Caldo
On October 26, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Hey Madamme:
I have dog, but I would prefer fishes… It balances my life being a scorpio (fire)…
I hope you could write something about it…
Best regards and keep reading,
2tet
http://www.triond.com/users/2tet
Mary Contrary
On November 14, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Another Great article! Thanks!
DK
On February 20, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I just don’t get how anyone is supposed to be able to watch a dog all day without being unemployed
B Nelson
On February 21, 2009 at 10:27 am
to DK #10.
true it is hard to watch a dog all day, which is why some breeds of dogs are better suited to cases where the owner works from home or is a stay at home parent.
Such intelligent breeds are NOT suited for people who are not home a lot or have time to devote to the dog itself.. so people who work alot should pick a breed accordingly
crate training works well too – remember in the wild dogs are used to being left in a den alone.
MD
On May 28, 2009 at 11:26 pm
tHanks but think my dog does it to get attention, she is 11 months old now and will destroy anything in sight, from taking clothes from bedroom to papers out of bin and tea towels off bench, i bought her a new bed and she destoyed it within 24 hrs. She is not left alone at all, i am home with her nearly all day and she comes inside for most of that time but that doesnt stop her from grabbing something and destroying it. I just dont know what to do anymore, what did i do to deserve such a dog. She is well fed
B Nelson
On May 29, 2009 at 8:39 am
to MD
I think the important thing is that it is NOT “Attention” that the dogs need… it is MENTAL STIMULATION. Being with somebody all day isnt helping the dog UNLESS you are doing stuff with it, to keep its mind happy. Imagine being a really smart person with nothing to do. Nothing to read or write, or look at. you would go nuts. This is how it is for your dog. Being with you is NOT enough. They need a job. She is telling you she NEEDS a job – because you havent given her one – she has found one on her own.
I bet she would love Obedience classes and later Agility Lessons to stimulate her mind – with lots of practice at home.
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