Destructive Behavior in Dogs
Chewing, playing, exploring, and investigating their environment are normal behaviors for dogs ö especially puppies! However, these normal behaviors can result in destruction of household property, which can become a serious and frustrating problem for owners. In fact, destructive behavior is one of the most commonly reported behavior problems in dogs. DOGS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES OUT OF SPITE OR REVENGE! Dogs often behave destructively to relieve anxiety or as an outlet for excess energy. While people may exercise, chew on their nails or have a drink to relieve tension, dogs tend to chew, dig, lick excessively, pace or housesoil when anxious. Because destructive behavior has many potential causes, a careful analysis of the dogâs history and environment is necessary to help identify the cause of the problem so that effective behavior modification techniques can be recommended. The purpose of this article is to explain...

COMMON CAUSES OF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

TEETHING: When teething, puppies' gums may be painful. Chewing appears to help relieve the discomfort of teething. The behavior usually ceases after permanent teeth appear.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: This is one of the most common causes of destructive behavior in dogs, particularly in those obtained from shelters or found as strays. Dogs with separation anxiety tend to display behaviors which reflect a strong attachment to their owners ö following owners from room to room, displaying almost frantic greeting behaviors, and reacting to ownersâ preparation to leave the house. Factors which can precipitate a separation anxiety problem include a change in the familyâs schedule which results in the dog being left alone more often, a move to a new house, the death or loss of another family pet, or a period at a boarding kennel. Separation anxiety may be manifested by excessive vocalizations or housesoiling, along with destructive behavior. THESE BEHAVIORS ARE NOT MOTIVATED BY SPITE OR REVENGE, BUT BY ANXIETY, AND PUNISHMENT WILL MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE! Separation anxiety can be resolved using counter conditioning and desensitization techniques under the supervision of a professional animal behaviorist.

FEARS AND PHOBIAS: Fearful responses to thunderstorms and loud noises often involve escape attempts which result in destructive behavior. In these cases, doors, doorframes, window trim and screens and walls are often damaged. These problems can be especially dangerous, because excessively fearful dogs may injure themselves attempting to break through windows or doors to escape a feared situation.

SOCIAL ISOLATION OR BOREDOM: If dogs do not receive adequate opportunities for social interaction with their owners or if their environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys, they may entertain themselves by engaging in activities which inadvertently result in destruction of property.

ATTENTION-GETTING BEHAVIOR: Without realizing it, owners may pay the most attention to their dogs when they are misbehaving. Dogs which do not receive attention and reinforcement for appropriate behavior, may show destructive behavior when owners are present, as a way to attract attention ö even if the attention is ãnegativeä such as verbal scolding.

PLAY BEHAVIOR: Normal play behavior can often result in destructive behavior, and often involves digging or chewing, shredding, and shaking of toy-like objects such as shoes, socks or paper objects. This is very common in young dogs and often occurs when the dog is unsupervised or does not have sufficient outlets for appropriate play behavior.

INVESTIGATIVE BEHAVIOR: Dogs may inadvertently damage items in their environment when they are exploring or investigating. Dogs investigate objects by pawing at them and exploring them with their mouths. Many dogs, especially retrievers and young animals, also like to fetch and carry objects. Novel or unfamiliar objects are often damaged in this manner, especially when dogs are left unsupervised for long time periods.

INAPPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT: Excessive punishment or punishment after the fact for any misbehavior may elicit anxiety associated with the presence of the owner. Thus, anticipation of the ownerâs return or arrival increases the dogâs anxiety level, and may result in destructive behavior to relieve the anxiety.

MEDICAL PROBLEMS: Upper gastrointestinal irritation, dental or gum pain may cause destructive chewing in adult dogs. Some diseases may cause excessive hunger (polyphagia), or eating of non-food items (pica). Consult your veterinarian if you suspect these problems.

INCONSISTENT FEEDING ROUTINES: A hungry dog may go on a foraging spree, and destroy the house searching for food.

BARRIER FRUSTRATIONS: Some dogs become anxious, and therefore destructive, when confined in small areas such as crates (flight kennels) or small rooms (bathroom, laundry room). This may be associated with separation anxiety.

PREDATORY BEHAVIOR: If dogs are attempting to pursue rodents underneath floorboards or behind walls, destructive behavior may result.

As you can see from this discussion, destructive behavior has many potential causes, and it should be clear why the cause of the behavior must be determined if the problem is to be dealt with effectively. Because destructive behavior is so common, it is reasonable to conclude that all dog owners should be prepared to lose something of value due to their dogâs destructive behavior! This is part of the experience of owning a dog! Certainly persistent and severe destructive behavior problems need to be resolved, for both the dogâs as well as the ownerâs sake, but occasional destructive behavior should be put in perspective.

Punishment alone rarely is effective in resolving destructive behavior problems and can make them worse. Punishment after the fact is NEVER appropriate. When punishment is indicated, the goal is NOT to punish the animal, but the behavior. This can never be accomplished with punishment after the fact. For assistance in resolving destructive and other behavior problems, contact a professional animal behaviorist.

Written by: Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, and Rhea Dodd, D.V.M. in cooperation with The Denver Dumb Friends League (Humane Society of Denver)