Destroying dog: what are we talking about?
Destroyments in dogs can take many forms.
Dogs can destroy using their mouths: this is the case when they rip open a sofa, destroy foam cushions, destroy a book or gnaw on the legs of chairs. He can then "just" destroy the object in question by tearing it to pieces, but he can also chew it or even swallow pieces of it. It is then much more worrying because, in addition to the material damage, the dog can put his life in danger.
He can also do a lot of damage with his claws by violently scraping door frames, plaster walls, plastic floors until they are completely destroyed.
After a certain age, these behaviors, very problematic for the owner of the destructive animal, are not those of a dog "well in his paws" . It is then necessary to identify precisely what pushes his dog to adopt such behavior in order to be able to put an end to it and restore a harmonious cohabitation.
Why is a dog destructive?
The reasons likely to explain the destructive character of a dog are varied. Thus, a dog can start destroying objects:
Because it's still a puppy
Like human babies who explore their environment orally, very young puppies discover the world with their mouths. They then begin to smell the object in question, take it in their mouths and bite it. It is a juvenile behavior that should normally pass with time unless the animal suffers from Hs-Ha syndrome, a developmental disorder that causes an exacerbated need for oral exploration.
This behavior can also temporarily increase when the animal "teeth" , that is to say when its milk teeth are gradually replaced by its permanent teeth from its 4th month until around 6 to 7 months old. He then tries to chew on various objects to relieve his sore gums.
Because he's bored
Boredom can also push your dog to destroy anything that falls under his paw or mouth. He then finds in the destruction of objects an activity to occupy himself.
The destruction can then occur in a dog that is left alone at home for long hours without its masters or in the presence of the masters, to attract the attention of the latter. It is also quite possible that the owners of the animal have involuntarily reinforced the destructive behavior of their dog. Indeed, when the dog steals an object, it irremediably attracts the attention of a human in the house who, so as not to have the object in question destroyed, starts running behind the dog to take it back from him.The dog then understands that when he acts like this, he gets what he wants: his master's attention and a fun chase session around the house! Why would he deprive himself then?
Because he suffers from separation anxiety
When destruction occurs in the absence of the dog's master(s), it may be caused by separation anxiety. When he is left alone, far from his being of attachment, the dog can then feel a strong anxiety which he will try to appease by chewing objects, in particular those which carry the smell of his master like the remote control. , sofa cushions, slippers or socks
Often, in a dog that suffers from hyperattachment, destruction is not the only symptom of his anxiety. They are often accompanied by signs of panic and distress as soon as the master is absent or moves away such as vocalizations, barking, crying, uncleanliness (in the form of diarrhea most often), even obsessive disorders compulsive like exacerbated licking of the paws.A hyperattached dog will also be very clingy to his master.
Because he doesn't manage his frustration well
Some dogs, for whom the rules of life at home are not clear or well established, may feel frustrated to see family members leave without them. They then show their disapproval and their “wrath” by destruction, preferably located around the entrances and exits of the house (but there may be some elsewhere). Generally, destructions are not the only sign of this mismanaged frustration. It can also be accompanied by barking and uncleanliness when the masters leave and more generally by a somewhat "tyrannical" character at home.
Because he has pica
Pica refers to the behavior of repetitive ingestion of non-food items by adult dogs. The animal then eats everything that comes within reach of its mouth: your mobile phone, stones, plants or even pieces of glass.This is an obsessive-compulsive eating behavior disorder in dogs that is of great concern as it can lead to blockages and perforations in the animal's digestive system.
Because he's old
In senior dogs, brain aging can lead to behavioral changes. Disorientation, the appearance of dirtiness, reduced interest in the game as well as chewing / ingestion of inedible objects can thus be part of the clinical picture of delirium in older dogs.
Because he's hyperactive
Destruction and ingestion of inedible objects can finally be one of the signs of Hs-Ha syndrome in dogs. This developmental disorder linked to incomplete mothering of the animal is also and above all expressed by hyperactivity of the animal.
Destroying dog: the solutions
Once the cause of your dog's destructive behavior has been identified, all you have to do is put in place solutions adapted to your dog's case. Here are a few
If your puppy destroys
If your puppy has a tendency to chew on objects/furniture and damage them, offer him chew toys so that he satisfies his need for oral exploration and relieves his sensitive gums, on these toys rather than your belongings. Choose objects that are large, heavy and hard enough and that you are sure he will not be able to swallow pieces of. If your young animal persists in his behavior beyond the age at which his permanent teeth are complete, around 6 months, it is because he may be suffering from a lack of self-control (see paragraph on the Hs-Ha syndrome). You must then call on a behavioral veterinarian and/or a professional behavioral dog trainer to help you deal with it.
If your dog is destroyed by boredom
Ask yourself about the quality and quantity of activities you offer your pet. Is he walked every day? Is it a sufficiently “rich” walk for him? Do you do activities with him? Do you play enough with him? Do you offer him occupation toys in your absence? If the answer to these questions is "no" then it is "normal" for your dog to destroy your belongings.The destructive activity is then a way for him to occupy himself in your absence or to attract your attention when you are present. A dog is not made to stay good all day and then to sleep obediently at night before falling asleep. It is a living being that needs physical, mental, playful and social activities.
Whether your dog destroys in your absence or to get your attention, the solutions are simply to spend more on your dog by offering him:
- at least one long walk of at least 30 minutes per day. And, by "long walk" , we mean an outing outside the garden where the dog will have the opportunity to exert himself physically (to run), to smell odors, to meet congeners and ideally to play and interact with his master. If your dog does not return to the recall and/or you do not have the possibility to untie him, walk him using a 10 meter lead to let him run as long as he can.
- occupational toys such as Kongs filled with treats or chewing bones to satisfy their chewing needs,
- moments of play and interaction with his master(s) during which it is possible to teach him new tricks or new instructions,
- the opportunity to take group dog walks on weekends for example,
- the possibility of practicing a canine sport or any other canine activity.
Note carefully!
Spending your dog well and meeting his needs will facilitate all the learning work, behavioral therapies and rehabilitation that you will undertake with your dog, regardless of the behavioral problem he has. proof.
If your dog destroys objects in your presence, do not reinforce his behavior by running after him because your dog will take it for play but rather teach him to give up.Take time for him and strengthen your relationship by offering him play sessions or education sessions.
If your dog destroys because of his separation anxiety
If the destruction is caused by your pet's separation anxiety, it is then necessary to set up detachment behavior therapy.
It consists of:
- always initiate contact with your dog. For example, when your dog comes to bed in contact with you (at your feet, on your knees), you must then push him back gently by showing annoyance and/or by sending him back to his basket. And, when the dog asks for a pet, you have to make him wait systematically and wait for him to divert his attention to give it to him.
- gradually accustom the dog to staying away from the person to whom he is hyperattached by leaving him alone in a room for a few seconds and then gradually increasing the duration of isolation.To do this, it may be necessary to prohibit a room in his home for his dog.
- trivialize all your departures and returns home as explained in our article "My dog doesn't want to be left alone" . You must then completely ignore the dog (do not speak to it, do not look at it, do not touch it) at least 15 minutes before leaving home and for as long as it takes to calm down when you return.
- occupy your dog during your absences to divert his attention from his anxiety.
Anxious dogs when they are alone can be reassured when their space is reduced. To facilitate the application of detachment therapy in its early stages, the dog can then be placed in a cage or indoor kennel in the absence of the master. However, it is necessary to positively accustom your dog to going there beforehand and limit the time spent in the crate to 3 to 4 hours maximum per day.
The effectiveness of detachment therapy can also be enhanced by the use of soothing pheromones or alcohol-free Bach flowers.
If your dog destroys out of frustration
It may happen that your dog destroys if he believes he has the duty to control the entrances and exits of the home. If his master leaves without "his permission" , then he shows his disapproval by destroying what is within reach of paw or nose.
In these dogs, the solution is to (re)establish clear and consistent rules of life at home, regarding the management of important resources for the animal. They concern:
- food management,
- space management
- contact management.
These rules of life are explained in detail in our article “Being a good master for your dog” which we invite you to consult.
Read also: How to teach your dog to manage his frustration well?If your dog destroys because he has pica
If your dog not only destroys objects but swallows pieces of them, he may have obsessive compulsive disorder called pica.
This disorder can be alleviated or even corrected by giving the dog more interesting (and above all more digestible) things to gnaw and chew on such as chewing bones or pig's ears and by administering medications that reduce the appetite. Thus, a dog with pica must be taken care of by a behavioral veterinarian.
As with all obsessive-compulsive disorders, it will also be necessary to ensure that the dog's spending needs are met (see above "If your dog destroys out of boredom" )
If your dog destroys because he has delirium in older dogs
Although it is not possible to "cure" this confusional syndrome of the elderly dog, it is still possible to act to slow down the aging of his brain (and reduce the undesirable behaviors associated with it ) by administering an appropriate treatment (prescribed by your veterinarian), by enriching its diet with antioxidants and certain lipids and by offering it:
- games that stimulate their intelligence and research activities,
- enough physical activity and bonding with peers.
If your dog destroys because he has Hs-Ha syndrome
A hyperactive dog must be taken care of by a behaviorist veterinarian and / or a professional behaviorist dog trainer. These professionals will put in place both a drug treatment and a behavioral therapy adapted to the case of the dog which presents this type of syndrome.
Behavioral therapy is based in particular on learning controlled play, also sometimes called the On/Off exercise. Its principle is to initiate a play session with the animal then to stop it at the first sign of excitement of the dog in order to teach him self-controls.
Get help
In any case, do not hesitate to seek advice from a veterinarian and/or a professional canine educator-behaviourist. Beyond the destruction, your dog's problem may be a little more complex than it seems. Only these professionals will be able to accurately identify the problem and, above all, support you in implementing solutions to improve the well-being of your dog and yours, along the way.