Dogs truly are a man’s best friend. They create a fun and loving home environment filled with joy. Regardless of the fact that they can be beyond cute, some puppies do tend to have destructive behavior.
It’s extremely normal for your pets to dig in the garden, occasionally chew on shoes, and be a bit overly protective of their territory. Owners have to draw the line when their pups show extreme destructive behavior. When your dog bites and destroys everything in their sight, they might have destructive behavior.
Stopping destructive behavior in your furry friend doesn’t have to be an absolute nightmare. Usually combined with other symptoms like aggression, fear, and anxiety, it can lead to harmful medical conditions if left untreated.
First you have to completely understand the symptoms of this kind of behavior.
Primary Destructive Behavior has the following associated actions:
- Chewing and biting house plants
- Digging multiple holes in the garden and yard
- Chewing and scratching at furniture and other objects around the house
- Shows destructive behavior when owner is present and absent
Secondary Destructive Behavior has the following associated actions:
- Destroying objects around the house for attention
- Shows destructive behavior when owner is present
The above-mentioned are the primary destroying issues within dogs. Although other types of behavioral conditions can be classified as:
Separation Anxiety
- Chewing owner’s personal items like shoes and slippers
- Gauging at doors and windows when they are outside
- Urinating in the house even though they are house trained
- Shows signs when owner isn’t there
Fear and Distress
- Pacing around the yard or house
- Hiding underneath furniture
- Shivering and shaking
- Needy and frightened when there are loud noises
- Owner is around when symptoms occur
You should be worried when the above-mentioned symptoms occur later in your dog’s life. Or when their behavior changes drastically from calm to any of the above. It’s normal for puppies, who aren’t house trained yet to playfully chew and bite at objects around the house.
Learn more on about why puppies bite and how to deal with them by reading this article, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/mouthing-nipping-and-biting-puppies.
Methods to Treat These Disorders
Firstly, it’s important that you take your pet to the vet when you notice any of these serious changes in their behavior. Once the disorder has been diagnosed by a certified veterinarian then you can start treating it.
Typically, a combination of medication and training methods are needed to get them back to a neutral state of mind. Medication alone won’t be able to completely solve the problem, but only help the symptoms.
Diversion
Together with your vet, you can come up with a plan that will help your dog direct their destructive behavior towards items in the house that are appropriate. Have chewing toys and chewing hooves available for your dog to bite whenever they feel the need.
A simple way to do this, is to use assertive language and voice tone whenever they chew the wrong object. Then put the correct item in front of them, when they start to bite on that you can sing praises and even give them a treat. Repeat this training method until your dog chew on the right items without being prompted.
Natural Supplements
Owners who want to try a more natural approach as a remedy can try natural supplements like CBD oil to calm their pet’s nerves. You can find a list of helpful natural supplements over here. Many owners have testified that their pet’s anxiety and fear has gone away after using helpful natural remedies.
Medication
Only in serious cases would a vet prescribe medication. This will assist in training your canine more quickly. Anxiety medication is a common form of prescription for dogs and should be taken a few weeks or until symptoms have completely died down.
Just like humans, animals also feel stress, frustration, and loneliness. Having those feelings will let them completely act out in a disastrous manner. It’s up to us to ensure that our loving pets get enough exercise, healthy food, and a safe and relaxing environment. This will ensure that they live a happy and healthy mental and physical life.
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