Hi all, I have a question. Our 7 month old Harley is shredding anything he can get his paws on lately. Its mostly when he is alone, we keep him in a childs play yard so he has plenty of space to move around, and its only for a few hours a day. Recently, he's pulled the play yard over to our kitchen table pulled off my bible that was sitting there and ripped it to pieces. Friday he ripped off the wallpaper he was near and dug into the sheet rock. Is this seperation anxiety, or just pure naughtiness? Maybe hes bored, I dont know. Other than that hes a wonderful dog, sweet disposition, he was trained quickly, and rarely has an accident. We love him to death! I'd just like him to stop the shredding of everthing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Shredding paper, etc.
- Thread starter ashgeo
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I would say that that is definitely boredom. And you can't really blame him, it must be boring sitting at home alone (even if that's unavoidable, as it is for most people).
What do you leave him in the way of things to do while you're gone? A treat ball or a stuffed kong can help a lot, as that gives him something to work on while he's waiting. A lot of exercise and mental stimulation at other times is also key here. If he gets a couple of hours of good hard running and playing on a daily basis, plus a training class a couple of times per week, then he's got his basic needs met and should cope more easily with some down time.
What do you leave him in the way of things to do while you're gone? A treat ball or a stuffed kong can help a lot, as that gives him something to work on while he's waiting. A lot of exercise and mental stimulation at other times is also key here. If he gets a couple of hours of good hard running and playing on a daily basis, plus a training class a couple of times per week, then he's got his basic needs met and should cope more easily with some down time.
KDozier
Super Boxer
I have that same problem. Brutus likes to shred paper. At first i thought he was doing only after he made a "mess" in his crate and was trying to rid the evidence. Then he started just doing it w/ anything i'll find him with paper in his mouth. I'm thinking geez dog you have toys, you have food, why paper? But I'm starting to think there is no method to the madness.
evab
Boxer Pal
Loves To Shred
My chloe will shred just about anything, I actually think she has a secret stash somewhere. I go around every morning before work, and pick up anything I think might be fun for her, but everyday when I get home, she has shredded another box, book, or something. My bf gets very angry and I have to keep reminding him it could be a table, couch, or something of value, and I'm glad it's just paper, but it takes us a good 1/2 hour EVERY NIGHT to clean up her "FUN" of the day! She has even started to climb my bookshelf, where there are no books on the bottom and has to climb about 5 feet high to get the first book just so she can rip it up
My chloe will shred just about anything, I actually think she has a secret stash somewhere. I go around every morning before work, and pick up anything I think might be fun for her, but everyday when I get home, she has shredded another box, book, or something. My bf gets very angry and I have to keep reminding him it could be a table, couch, or something of value, and I'm glad it's just paper, but it takes us a good 1/2 hour EVERY NIGHT to clean up her "FUN" of the day! She has even started to climb my bookshelf, where there are no books on the bottom and has to climb about 5 feet high to get the first book just so she can rip it up
Bored Boxer
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought my Harley was a little crazy. I think Harley is maybe a little bored though. He only does it when no one is around him. Its kind of funny though, but when he shredded my bible I was a little mad. I just think he wants to be with us all the time and thats his way of getting back at us. Ha ha! I told my husband that if that the worse thing he does, I can live with it. Hes such a great dog! He's my little baby!
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought my Harley was a little crazy. I think Harley is maybe a little bored though. He only does it when no one is around him. Its kind of funny though, but when he shredded my bible I was a little mad. I just think he wants to be with us all the time and thats his way of getting back at us. Ha ha! I told my husband that if that the worse thing he does, I can live with it. Hes such a great dog! He's my little baby!
XenaWPG
Boxer Buddy
Xena the Shredder
Xena is the perfect dog---except one thing---about a month ago, she started shredding paper when right after my husband leaves for work and while I'm in the shower before work. So, we started putting the newspaper up.
Today we came home to two and half big city telephone directories piled high and torn to shredds on our living room floor. We have left her with plenty of things to keep her company and to do. We don't leave a Kong everyday though. But she is feed well and gets a buffalo bone each night when we come home and she hasn't torn any paper.
We will try the Kong again on the days we go to work and see what happens.
Xena' Mom & Dad
In Hilliard OH
Xena is the perfect dog---except one thing---about a month ago, she started shredding paper when right after my husband leaves for work and while I'm in the shower before work. So, we started putting the newspaper up.
Today we came home to two and half big city telephone directories piled high and torn to shredds on our living room floor. We have left her with plenty of things to keep her company and to do. We don't leave a Kong everyday though. But she is feed well and gets a buffalo bone each night when we come home and she hasn't torn any paper.
We will try the Kong again on the days we go to work and see what happens.
Xena' Mom & Dad
In Hilliard OH
Babe'n'Dude
Boxer Pal
Double Trouble
I dont think boredom is key since I have two who are inseparable. I am pretty sure the female initiates it, but the male follows. Anything within reach is subject to distruction, especially if they are anxious about anything.
The female still has alpha issues, which could be part of it. We got her first, then the older male puppy two months later. (WHAT WAS I THINKING???...I do NOT recommend this
)
In any case, I think it is a statement of frustration. It only happens if they are alone longer than normal.
Babe and Dude's Mom
I dont think boredom is key since I have two who are inseparable. I am pretty sure the female initiates it, but the male follows. Anything within reach is subject to distruction, especially if they are anxious about anything.
The female still has alpha issues, which could be part of it. We got her first, then the older male puppy two months later. (WHAT WAS I THINKING???...I do NOT recommend this
)In any case, I think it is a statement of frustration. It only happens if they are alone longer than normal.
Babe and Dude's Mom
jksjkc
Super Boxer
That stinks about your bible. I know, a good bible can be quite an expense.
I think lots of toys are the key. It's not spoiling the dog, it's for your own sanity. We frequently try to get a new bone or toy when we are out. He kills the squekers on his toys so quickly that once their dead he is done. So I get him a new ones. We keep a large toy bin in the garage and rotate the toys, then in the warmer months on the deck. A kong is another great idea.
The only time I have issues with him stealing our stuff is if the item has fur or feathers on it. Otherwise, he doesn't touch our stuff.
7 months is young, can you crate him?
I think lots of toys are the key. It's not spoiling the dog, it's for your own sanity. We frequently try to get a new bone or toy when we are out. He kills the squekers on his toys so quickly that once their dead he is done. So I get him a new ones. We keep a large toy bin in the garage and rotate the toys, then in the warmer months on the deck. A kong is another great idea.
The only time I have issues with him stealing our stuff is if the item has fur or feathers on it. Otherwise, he doesn't touch our stuff.
7 months is young, can you crate him?
Milo_n_Kaci
Boxer Pal
I'm having the same problem with my 2yr old male, but he does it when we are in the house. He will go downstairs and shred anything and everything. He has plenty of toys, there are usually 2 or 3 of us home and he has a play mate (Kaci). Why is he doing it and how can we get him to stop?
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