destructive, dog Options

[BURNSJ2]

Ok so heres the deal. i have a dog, hes a pitbull/chow-chow mix. when im home or when anyone is around hes an amazingly good dog. its when i leave...terror! he is about the most destructive dog i have ever seen. he tears up anything left on the table, knocks the chairs and stools over, even tears up the carpet! im at my wits end with him, hes 2 years old and i thought he would be through this by now. anyone know what i can do?

[CelicaBuddy]

I agree with the crate training...
It isn't by all means cruel to keep them crated while youre gone... I've worked in the veterinary business for nearly 3 years now and all my bosses (doctors) suggest the crate as an effective tool. Its safe for them because it keeps them from getting into something that'll hurt them (something poisonous, chewing at wires, eating something they werent suppose to and getting an internal blockage), and your house will thank you too because you won't have a dog tearing your sh*t up. lol The main purpose of them is to give the dog it's own lil space or 'den' where it can always feel safe and relaxed... It can also help with separation anxiety. A crate actually isn't very effective using as punishment only because then you put a fear of the crate into the dog because thats where they go when they get into trouble... If its introduced as a sort of safe haven, your dog would be more than happy to go into it...

Also... maybe consider taking him for a walk so you can tire him out so he won't really have the energy to be destructive.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

I agree with the crate training...
It isn't by all means cruel to keep them crated while youre gone... I've worked in the veterinary business for nearly 3 years now and all my bosses (doctors) suggest the crate as an effective tool. Its safe for them because it keeps them from getting into something that'll hurt them (something poisonous, chewing at wires, eating something they werent suppose to and getting an internal blockage), and your house will thank you too because you won't have a dog tearing your sh*t up. lol The main purpose of them is to give the dog it's own lil space or 'den' where it can always feel safe and relaxed... It can also help with separation anxiety. A crate actually isn't very effective using as punishment only because then you put a fear of the crate into the dog because thats where they go when they get into trouble... If its introduced as a sort of safe haven, your dog would be more than happy to go into it...

Also... maybe consider taking him for a walk so you can tire him out so he won't really have the energy to be destructive.

+1. A crate is there for a dog's personal space, not as a time out/disciplinary action.

This post has been edited by BLINKYxMUNKEY: Jun 17, 2009 - 10:47 AM