Many dog owners experience frustration when they come home to find chewed furniture, torn pillows, or destroyed shoes. While destructive behavior is common in dogs, it’s not something you have to accept as normal. In most cases, excessive chewing, digging, or shredding happens due to boredom, anxiety, lack of training, or excess energy.
Understanding why your dog destroys things is the first step to fixing the problem. In this guide, we’ll cover the main reasons for destructive behavior and effective strategies to stop it so that you can have a well-behaved and happy pet.
1. Understand Why Your Dog Is Being Destructive
Dogs don’t destroy things out of spite. Their behavior usually has an underlying cause. Some common reasons include:
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
Dogs need mental and physical exercise. If they don’t have an outlet for their energy, they may chew, dig, or destroy objects to entertain themselves.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety feel stressed when left alone and may chew furniture, scratch doors, or tear up household items as a coping mechanism.
Teething (Puppies Only)
Puppies go through a teething phase between 2 to 6 months old, which makes them chew on everything to relieve discomfort.
Lack of Training and Boundaries
If a dog hasn’t been trained to know what is off-limits, they may chew or destroy objects out of curiosity or habit.
Excess Energy
Breeds with high energy levels (Border Collies, Huskies, Labradors) need lots of exercise. If they don’t get enough, they may channel their energy into destructive behavior.
Hunting and Digging Instincts
Some breeds, like Terriers, have a strong digging instinct. If they don’t have an appropriate outlet, they may dig holes in carpets, couches, or gardens.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
If a dog learns that chewing or destroying things gets them attention, they may repeat the behavior—even if the attention is negative.
Now that you understand the causes, let’s explore how to stop destructive behavior effectively.
2. Provide More Exercise and Playtime
One of the easiest ways to reduce destructive behavior is to increase your dog’s daily exercise. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog.
✔ Daily walks: Take your dog for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise every day
✔ Interactive games: Play fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek to engage their mind and body
✔ Training sessions: Teaching commands like “sit” and “stay” provides mental stimulation
✔ Doggy playdates: Let your dog socialize and play with other dogs to burn energy
If your dog is high-energy, consider activities like agility training, swimming, or hiking.
3. Provide Safe Chew Toys
Dogs need to chew—it’s natural behavior. The key is to redirect their chewing to appropriate items.
✔ Durable chew toys (KONG, Nylabone, rope toys) to keep them engaged
✔ Frozen carrots or ice cubes for teething puppies
✔ Puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation
If your dog tries to chew something inappropriate, say “No” firmly and immediately give them a chew toy instead.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement, meaning they respond well to rewards for good behavior.
✔ Reward good behavior (when your dog chews a toy instead of furniture)
✔ Use treats, praise, or petting to reinforce positive actions
✔ Ignore attention-seeking destruction (don’t give them attention when they misbehave)
Avoid yelling or punishing your dog—it doesn’t teach them what they should do, only that they should be afraid.
5. Prevent Access to Problem Areas
If your dog destroys certain items, make them off-limits while you train them.
✔ Use baby gates to block access to rooms
✔ Keep shoes, remotes, and small objects out of reach
✔ Provide a dog-safe area where they can play freely
Management is a temporary solution, but it helps prevent bad habits from forming.
6. Address Separation Anxiety
If your dog destroys things when left alone, they may have separation anxiety. Signs include:
- Whining, barking, or pacing when you leave
- Chewing or scratching doors and windows
- Urinating inside the house despite being potty-trained
How to Reduce Separation Anxiety
✔ Practice short departures and gradually increase the time you’re gone
✔ Give them a stuffed KONG with peanut butter before leaving to keep them busy
✔ Leave calming background noise (soft music or TV)
✔ Use a crate (if properly trained) or a playpen for a safe space
If separation anxiety is severe, consult a professional dog trainer or veterinarian for guidance.
7. Train the “Leave It” and “Drop It” Commands
Teaching your dog the “Leave It” and “Drop It” commands can prevent them from destroying things.
✔ “Leave It” teaches them to ignore something they shouldn’t touch
✔ “Drop It” helps them release an object they already grabbed
How to Teach “Leave It”
- Hold a treat in your hand and close it
- Say “Leave it” and wait until your dog stops trying to get the treat
- Reward them with a different treat when they obey
How to Teach “Drop It”
- Give your dog a toy
- Say “Drop it” while offering a treat
- When they let go, reward them immediately
Training these commands prevents destructive behavior before it starts.
8. Use Anti-Chew Sprays
If your dog keeps chewing furniture, wires, or other household items, try using a bitter-tasting spray as a deterrent.
✔ Apple cider vinegar and water mix (safe, homemade option)
✔ Commercial bitter sprays (Grannick’s Bitter Apple, NaturVet)
Dogs dislike the taste, which helps prevent chewing.
9. Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated
Bored dogs are destructive dogs. Keep their minds engaged with:
✔ Food puzzles and treat dispensers
✔ Scent games (hiding treats around the house)
✔ New experiences (walks in different locations, training new tricks)
A mentally tired dog is less likely to engage in destructive behavior.
10. Be Patient and Stay Consistent
Stopping destructive behavior won’t happen overnight. Dogs need time to learn what is and isn’t acceptable.
✔ Be consistent with rules (don’t let them chew something one day and scold them the next)
✔ Be patient—training takes time
✔ Celebrate small successes—even small improvements show progress
If you’ve tried everything and the behavior continues, consider working with a professional dog trainer to address underlying issues.
Final Thoughts
Dogs destroy things for a reason, whether it’s boredom, anxiety, or excess energy. The best way to stop destructive behavior is to understand the cause and redirect their actions through exercise, training, and mental stimulation.
✔ Give your dog enough exercise and playtime
✔ Provide safe chew toys and discourage destructive chewing
✔ Use positive reinforcement to train good behavior
✔ Prevent access to problem areas and use anti-chew sprays if needed
✔ Address separation anxiety with gradual training
✔ Keep your dog mentally stimulated with games and puzzles
With patience and consistency, your dog will learn to behave appropriately, creating a happier home for both of you.