Chewing

My dog is always chewing things up. We have given her numerous toys but she destroys them including the Kong toys that can't be destroyed. I am afraid that she will swallow parts of toys when we are not home. She doesn't get left home alone that often or even for long periods of time. I have tried to show her what she did and tell her she is a bad dog and all the other disciplines I can think of and she knows she has done wrong but keeps on doing it. She even chews up her bedding, our socks, clothing, shoes, papers, books, towels, and whatever she can get ahold of. I have made it a point to pick up and hide everything when we leave or go to bed but it is so frustrating. HELP! Can anyone suggest something to stop this horrible behavior?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

If your dog only does this when you are not home, she could have either separation anxiety or boredom, or a combination of both.

The solution to this problem will take behavioral modification, patience and a great deal of work on your part, and may even require medications for separation anxiety.

The behavioral modification technique involves leaving her for very short periods: 1-2 minutes at a time and,  if you normally leave by car you must drive away, but leave the car at a distance and walk back, so that she will be surprised in the act of chewing something.  You can then scold her by grabbing the object out of her mouth and exclaiming a gruff NO!  You must than give her time out.  A time out is simply making her stay a few feet away from you for 2 minutes.  If she does not know the stay command, you must work on this first.  After the time out, you can greet her normally.  You may have to do this entire technique multiple times over several weeks before she gets the hint (if she is smart it may only take a few sessions).  Increase the time intervals gradually.  Please use the following method if you must leave her for several hours during the behavioral modification period:  crate her or put in a barricaded area with only something safe to chew on and nothing else.  When she begins to learn the new behavior and has been good (does not chew on anything she shouldn‘t) you must praise her like crazy and can even give her a favorite treat (carry the treats around with you during training periods).  Eventually she will get the idea, but be persistent, since it may take a long time.

If this method is not effective, you may have to get some medication, or a veterinary behavioral expert.