How to Stop Destructive Dog Behavior

Jan 09, 2009 in Dog Behavior

It can be a headache to have to deal with destructive dog behavior. It is something that you would have to address though before your dog puts its destructive mark on every single object in your house. Here are three tips on how to fix destructive tendencies in dogs.

Give it Something to Chew On

It is normal for dogs to chew on things. This is simply an activity that is part of who they are. Common sense will therefore tell you that as a dog owner you should give your dog things to chew on. This will divert its attention away from valuable house objects. Do remember though that some chew toys are more appropriate for certain types and ages of dogs. Have your dogs personal circumstances in mind when shopping for a chew toy. Make sure that you have a variety of toys too because your dog could get bored with just one.

Provide More Activities

Your pet may engage on destructive dog behavior if it is bored. This is especially true for breeds that are extra energetic. One way to divert their attention from excessive chewing is to provide more playtime for them. Spend more time with your dog in the park for supervised play time.

Enforce Rules Firmly

One major rule to correcting destructive dog behavior is to correct it immediately. As soon as you see your dog chewing on a house object, make it known in a firm voice that you are not pleased or that it has been a bad dog. Take the object away from the dogs line of sight and replace it with a chew toy. Praise your dog when it starts chewing on its toy instead of a forbidden object.