Tips to Curb Your Dog's Destructive Behavior
Dogs are playful animals. They're a source of fun, but they also tend to have destructive behavior. Despite what other people would have you believe, your dog doesn't become destructive because you leave him alone all day when you're at work. The simple reason why your dog may show destructive behavior is that he has too much energy that is not getting used up. It may be that your dog isn't getting lots of exercise.
Many dog breeds need plenty of exercise to expend the energy they have. If you fail to give your dog the needed outlet for his excess energy, he can become hyperactive inside your house, which may lead to broken vases, torn furniture coverings, chewed up shoes and other undesirable things. So what's the solution? Take your dog out for exercise — play with him, run with him, do anything anything with your dog that will help him expend all that energy he has.
If you're already taking your dog out for regular walks or exercise, it may be that you're not giving him enough of it. You can add a few more to his regular exercise routine. For instance, if you take your dog to walks every day, add a ball-chasing activity to the routine or perhaps play Frisbee. Got a treadmill? Put your dog on there too. Treadmills aren't just for humans, they can be used by dogs too. You can give your dog a good cardio workout.
You can expect several challenges on an average walk with your dog. You will pass such distractions as other walkers, dogs and other animals. If your dog becomes too excited, your dog may forget his leash training. Your dog has a lot of internal instincts that must be overcome. Your dog may act in a territorial or protective manner. Keep your dogs from interacting with other walkers if he becomes over-excited. You can pull on his leash or steer him towards another direction. If there is another dog present, make sure to separate them, especially if they do not know each other. If there is aggression between the two dogs, it's best that you steer your dog away from the other dog. Try calming down your dog by talking to him in a calm voice.
In older dogs, energy bursts tend to be cause of destructive dog behavior. Your dog may be developing obsessive behavior if he is constantly running and jumping, and has a fixation on balls. Make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise. This way, he uses up his energy on exercising instead of on destructive behaviors in and around your house.
