Destructive Behavior Problems (Puppies) in Dogs

Destructive behavior problems in puppies are a condition that many puppy owners face. This is a very real condition that results in destruction of household furniture, flooring, and other property. With the many different incidents that puppy owners may find throughout the home, whether they have been gone for a while and returning home, or just being in the other room while the destruction takes place, it is quite a frustrating situation. There are reasons for many types of this behavior, and it can be fixed with a lot of time, dedication, research, and patience on behalf of the dog owner.

Destructive behavior problems in puppies are characterized by various forms of negative behaviors, such as destruction of property and aggression in and out of the dog’s home.

Destructive behavior in puppies can stem from many situations, many of them related to inconsistent training, physical issues (such as teething), and, at many times, health conditions. Symptoms of destructive behavior in puppies include:

• Excessive barking
• Chewing
• Digging
• Clawing
• Scratching
• Jumping on people
• Aggression

Types

There are generally two types of destructive behavior in puppies. It is important to understand that puppies are still learning, and while it seems they may be acting out in “spite”, they are only responding to different feelings and emotions they have as puppies. Types of destructive behaviors in puppies are:

• Behavioral (boredom, fears, improper training, attention-seeking)
• Physical (stress, teething, medical condition, anxiety)

There are many causes of destructive behavior. Once the veterinarian diagnoses the cause, the condition can be treated. Causes of destructive behavior in puppies can include:

• Teething
• Fears 
• Anxiety
• Boredom
• Loneliness
• Attention-seeking
• Play
• Investigating
• Kept in closed spaces
• Predatory
• Inconsistency in the home environment

When you take your dog to the veterinarian for destructive behavior, he will ask you many questions about the specifics of the behavior. He will want to know when it occurs, if there is a trigger, if there is more than one trigger, how often, and other information to give him more details and insight into his behavior. 

The veterinarian will do several tests, such as blood work, a urinalysis, biochemistry profile, and any other tests he feels are necessary after hearing the specifics of his destructive behavior. He will want to rule out any health issues that may be causing any of the behaviors. Once the tests come back, the veterinarian will make a diagnosis, either behavioral or medical concerning your loved one. He will give you suggestions for treatment, either for the medical condition or behaviors.

It is very important to understand that destructive behaviors always have a reason. Punishing a dog for destroying a piece of furniture is tempting, but futile. Prevention of the behaviors and keeping the triggers at bay is the key to eliminating them. If your puppy has a health problem that is causing the behaviors, the treatment of the primary disorder will need to take primarily take place.

Training

One treatment for destructive behavior is to give your puppy proper training and consistency in the home. When trained at a young age, the puppy will grow into a healthy and well-behaved adult dog.

Behavioral Therapy

If training your puppy is unsuccessful, seeking the help of a behavioral therapist may assist you in getting the destructive behaviors under control. If you have been attempting to train your dog on your own, a training class can help tremendously.

Consistent Routine

A consistent routine in the home will keep the dog regulated and less stressed. It will also help the destructive behaviors calm down a bit. Consistent feeding times, outside time, and your time away from home is the key to a good routine for you and your puppy.

Once you find a successful way to train your puppy and alter your lifestyle to keep the puppy from being destructive, the negative behaviors should diminish. A few lifestyle changes can work wonders for any puppy, such as not leaving him alone for too long, giving him exercise, attention, and lots of love. Being consistent with routines and with behavior modification strategies will prove successful in your puppy’s well-being, well into adulthood. 

Watch for signs of your puppy getting stressed and acting out and try to think about what is causing the negative behavior. It is important to understand that puppies do not misbehave just to spite you or to get a negative reaction. Love, consistency, and lots of patience will immensely help your puppy’s behavior.