Destructive behaviour when I'm out

[bonkersboris]

Hi

I have a gorgeous male boxer called Boris who is almost 9 months old. He's very active and lovable. He adores company, both other dogs and people. When he was younger, I gradually introduced some 'alone time' to get him used to it e.g. when I went to the shop or supermarket or popped to my mum's,and eventually a few hours (4). At first he was fine but then he started becoming destructive, chewing anything that was within reach and the worse thing is he will jump on the sofa and push the bottom cushions off and 'dig' the sofa damaging it. I could see he must be distressed at being alone so now he's not alone for any longer than an hour or so and I take him to doggy day-care each day while I'm at work (which he adores). But now I have this issue of him being destructive if he's alone and I don't know what to do about it - there are times he has to be alone so this habit can't continue.

I have a crate but to be honest the training has failed with that, he's so distressed in it. He has not taken to that at all, despite me trying and following training instructions and tips (he's been great for training for everything else, responded to positive training brilliantly, he managed instructions really well and sits as good as gold in the car). He is a very active boy, he's currently alseep by my feet but throughout the day he's usually playing with his toys and goes in and out of the garden to play and throw his ball around. I don't think he can handle being contained/restricted in the crate because of his energy levels.

Our house is open plan downstairs so I can't close the door to the lounge so I tried a baby gate so he stayed in the kitchen when I went out (he has a dog flap and a secure garden he can go in and out of when he pleases), but he managed to jump right over the gate in about 10 seconds (we snuck and watched him do it through the window) and another time he pushed it over!!!

I also make sure he has a good walk before I leave him, he has lots of toys (have tried putting some away and rotating them to keep his interest) which he loves to play with... I have kongs which I stuff with some of his favourite food, I leave chews and biscuits for him, I leave the TV on, but nothing stops him from digging the sofa up. He has never ever been destructive when one of us is with him, so I'm assuming this is separation anxiety. Although... it's worth noting that when he goes to doggy day care he doesn't mind me not coming with him when he goes to play, and when we went on holiday he stayed there overnight for a few days he was fine...so the anxiety must be related to being alone, not because I am not there.

I considered getting another dog as I think this will help him, but I live in rented accommodation so have to be careful (this landlord wouldn't mind, but if I have to move then would another landlord be so easy going?)

Have hit a bit of a brick wall re how best to deal with this.... anyone else had similar issues?

Thanks x

 

[Jan]

Could you put 2 gates on top of each other, so that he can't jump over?

 

[Brindlegirly]

Sounds like separation anxiety to me too. My first boxer was the same and he never got over it. There are steps you can take to get your pup used to you leaving. Search for it on here.

 

[CoraBoxer]

If he's not used to something he might need time to adjust. I know my boxers would much rather be with me than crated but just because they want/prefer something doesn't mean its going to happen. I wish I could bring my dogs with me everywhere too but I can't. You can get a dog comfortable in a crate with the crate in the same room as you to start, by moving the crate away to a different room while you're at home.. and graduate to leaving them home alone in a crate. Can cover the crate with a blanket, or add a scent of you or lavender for example to help them. You can always watch whats happening from outside by setting up a webcam (with a feed to your cell etc). I don't know what your situation is, and its usually with the best intentions that this occurs.. but maybe he learned that if he does these things he gets his way? He seems to have a lot of freedom for a 9 month old. It took us like 2+ years with our pup before we would leave her alone without restrictions.

If you never leave the dog alone, they'll never learn to be alone. Always being home with him is not a fix and a tough alternative.

Do you make sure to get him drained - especially before leaving?

 

[bobzilla]

Maybe he just needs a little more room. Can you put two crates together?

There are some larger crates that have two entrances and maybe you can put two together to form an "L" and it could give him more room, yet maybe not feel so confined.

Bob

 

[LoveMyLoki]

It took almost a month before Loki got used to his crate. Hes not a fan, but hes going in there of his own accord now. Small victories.

Whatever you decide, just be consistent, never waiver.

 

[TwoDogs]

You can always watch whats happening from outside by setting up a webcam (with a feed to your cell etc).

I second this recommendation. It might not be separation anxiety at all but rather the unoccupied mind of an active and bored young dog. With no direction and without you there to monitor him he might just be "making his own fun".

Videoing him while you are gone will give you an idea of if this is truly anxiety driven. When reviewing the video look for pacing, drooling, inability to settle down, hypervigilance, destruction at points of entry (doorways, windows, etc.), excessive chewing or licking of self or items, general agitation and increased respiration.

You may be surprised to find that you don't have real anxiety at all. He might just be getting into all sorts of trouble because it gives him something to do and is more fun than waiting around until someone gets home. If this is the case then it just becomes a matter of puppy-proofing an area and finding a way to contain him that he is comfortable with but can't get out of. Provide plenty of enriching items in the area so he has stuff to keep him busy. Then work on getting him accustomed to being in the area for short times while you are home before leaving him alone.