Based on a handout written for the Denver Dumb Friends League by Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Rhea Dodd, DVM

Chewing, playing exploring, and investigating their environment are normal behaviors for dogs-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 on 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 house soil when anxious.  Because destructive behavior has many potential causes, a careful analysis of the dog's 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 handout is to explain---


COMMON CAUSES OF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

1. 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.
2. 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-following owners room to room, displaying almost frantic greeting behaviors, and reacting to owners' preparation to leave the house.  Factors which can precipitate a separation anxiety problem include a change in the family's 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 manifest by excessive vocalizations or house soiling, 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 certified animal behaviorist.
3. FEARS AND PHOBIAS:  Fearful responses to thunderstorms and loud noises often involve escape attempts which result in destructive behavior.  In these cases, doors, door frames, 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.
4.  SOCIAL ISOLATION R 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.
5. 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-even if the attention is "negative" such as verbal scoldings.
6. 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.