How To Prevent Your Dog From Being Destructive When Left Alone
Every time you leave your dog at home, do you get anxious? Do you want to avoid making a third purchase of pillows? Not just you, either. Despite your best attempts, your pup may chew as soon as you leave the house. We’ll talk about a few ideas that might be helpful.
Exercise first thing every morning.
When left alone, dogs who act destructively typically do so out of boredom. They could also need more mental or physical exercise. Taking your dog for a walk before leaving will help them rest, burn off extra energy, and prepare for a nap. If you anticipate being away for some time, try to set a 30- to 45-minute stroll.
You might also try varying your routes over the week. Even if all of your walks are within the neighbourhood, changing up the way helps keep things interesting for them. It enables your dog to exercise his sniffer, which is good for mental health.
Keeping a regular exercise schedule can also help them become calmer. Dogs might benefit from a program. They will learn what to expect if you exercise out together every morning, which may put them at ease. If you can get them to tucker out, they might see your absence as a time to rest.
Play cardio games
However, some dogs can still be troublemakers even after a pleasant morning walk. Alternating morning brisk walks with cardio activities are one idea. These are also helpful in inclement weather.
You might like to try the cardio game “Cardio Twist,” which is a modification of the agility game Weave Poles. It’s an excellent game to exercise your dog’s body and intellect. Although you may buy official weave poles, you can alternatively use items like chairs, crates, or orange cones as “poles.” Once you have multiple items lined up in a line, you may practice weaving in and out with them. You might try games like Cardio Twist that require more concentration in the hopes that your dog would take a long snooze afterwards.
Give them some wholesome chew toys.
Once you leave, ensure chewable toys and treats surround your dog. KONGs are a great option. Peanut butter, plain yoghurt, and pure canned pumpkin are all affordable and nutrient-dense substitutes. Depending on how long you plan to be gone, freezing them can allow your pup to keep chewing for longer. Hopefully, all that chewing on the right things will help tucker them out.
Similar to walks, rotating between different toys and treats keeps things mentally stimulating. You may try giving your dog a peanut butter KONG and a few specific toys one day, followed by a different selection the next. Despite being familiar, the diversity will keep them on their toes.
Create a spot for them.
To lessen unintended chewing, think about putting up baby gates where there aren’t as many distractions or things to chew on. This might encourage children to chew on chewable things instead. A playpen with a lockable door is one alternative.
In both cases, surround the area with treats or chewable toys. If your dog likes to chew on blankets or beds, try switching to an elevated dog bed instead because they are often made to be more chew-resistant.
Encourage rewarding moral behaviour.
If your dog is destructive even when you are home, this is a great time to practice teaching them what is and is not appropriate to chew on. When you detect your dog chewing on the couch cushion, firmly say “No” and move their focus to a toy or treat. If you can, give them something you’ll give them after you leave. Could you give them a lot when they chew on the intended object?
Consider putting your pup in daycare.
Even if our last idea is biased, we undoubtedly see a lot of exhausted puppies after a day at camp. For many people, just one or two days per week of mental and physical activity is adequate. To recover from their fun, they sleep the rest of the week. Enrolling your dog in daycare can help set him up for a productive (and ideally positive!) alone time in addition to the suggestions above.