HELP! Dog destructiveness!!

[samsmama]

I could really use your help on this one. :Help_2: I am really frustrated and feel like I don't know what else to do. I have a one year old golden retriever lab mix (maybe shepherd too??) that I got 3 months ago from the humane society. He's a sweet boy, but my biggest struggle has been his destructiveness when I am at work. I don't work an excessive amount (although it is full time). Unfortunately, I don't think he is used to being left . The paper work from the human society stated that he was never left alone. (I know, why did a choose a dog like this when I work? Well, I guess it's because I didn't know this detail until i was already done with the paper work and we were about to leave and I was already feeling attached!)

While I've been gone, he's torn apart the arm of an upholstered chair, my futon couch, a wooden bowl from my grandmother, several books, anything in a box (photos, letters, etc), cord to the window blinds, a cable attached to my dvd player, a bamboo chair. He's pulled things out of the kitchen sink (I am not perfect... I don't do my dishes right away!) and will lick the bowl, chew apart wooden spoons, help us clean up (he, he). He basically finds and chews on anything he can get his mouth around. Obviously he is food motivated, and don't consider the dishes, etc as his fault since I do leave them there. I guess I am more worried that soon I won't have anymore furniture left!!!! And I don't want him to hurt himself.

This is what I've tried:

He hates his crate, but I've tried to slowly re-introduce him to it. I feed him in the crate with the door closed, but he whines, salivates, pants, and basically freaks out if I leave the room while he's in the crate. So far we've worked up to him being in there for 30 minutes with me coming and going (but being nearby) without him freaking out. I don't know when, if ever, I'll get to leaving him all day in the crate. Friends of mine who have dogs think this is strange since their dogs love their crates, etc, etc. So I am stumped here.

I confine him to the first floor of my house, but once I tried confining him to a room thinking, "hey, it isn't a crate, he should be fine". Nope. He tried to claw his way out by lifting the rug near the door, scratching and clawing at the door, and pulling down the shutters from the window. Obviously an anxiety response.

So that's why upholstered furniture, the kitchen, etc are within his reach. Oh and doggy gates don't work because he somehow jumps over them.

I leave him with a peanut butter filled kong, rawhides, bones, toys, etc (in other words, lots of things he loves to play with) but they seem to mostly go untouched. Usually the kong will be cleaned out, but not always.

I make my comings and goings as low key as possible.

I walk him twice a day... Perhaps he's not getting enought exercise (even after two walks) but I feel worreid about bringing him to an off leash park because of possible dog aggression. He seems to like to bully more submissive dogs. While he hasn't hurt other dogs, he has started some scuffles, and I am not sure how to deal with this. While this is a separate issue, any suggestions for that problem too?? He generally gets along with other dogs, but he'll get in other dogs faces that don't want his attention and he won't leave them alone. Pretty rude!!

I've sprayed the bitter spray on the futon and chair. He hasn't touched the chair again, but chewed up the futon again yesterday.

We are in doggy school, and that's going fairly well, although he is very rambunctious at school. My one-on-one training is going fairly well. I got him to stop pulling on his lead when I walk him! :lol: Success!!

I don't know if it's separation anxiety. He doesn't seem to freak out, bark, claw/scratch downstairs when I leave when he's on the first floor. He just looks sad. And then he chews. So I spend all day worrying about what he's getting into while I'm gone.

Please help me figure out what I am doing wrong, or if there's anything else I could be doing. I can't quit my job, otherwise there will be no dog kibble and no human kibble for me! And no house, etc.. etc... And I do try so hard to dedicate a lot of time to him. (My friends say almost too much) But I really need him to stop chewing me out of house and home.... literally.

[Guest Anonymous]

KEEP TRYING THE CRATE!! my dog Zoey didn't like the crate at first and would get upset. but we would put her in there with a toy and a treat when she went in and then waited a few mins, took her out ( when she was being quite) and gradually just built up the time she was in there, where now she can be in there for hours if we are gone. COdy doesn't destroy the house anymore, we used to pin him up in the kitchen but now he just sleeps, where as Zoey countersurfs finds anythign to eat even our new couches..
if the kennel doesnt work, look int o doggy day care!!

[drjeffrock]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I would say, it's time for some tough love! Get your dog used to the crate. My Akita used to hate being in her crate. She would cry, chew on the plastic (its a varikennel) and just howl when we were gone. While you are getting your dog used to it, there are a couple things I would do. Do not pay any attention to your golden when you first come home. If you come home and immediately start fawning over your dog, it will just get your pooch more and more nervous about you leaving.
Also, exercise is very important. My pittie bounces off the walls when he is not exercised. Is it possible to get up earlier and exercise your dog b4 work?
Also, I have a 2 or 3 minute rule. If either of my dogs is crying in their crate, I ignore it and will not let them out until they have stopped whining for a couple minutes. Now, they love their crates, and see them as a place to chill out and get away from us and each other. Good luck, and let us know how your golden progresses.

[gooeydog]

I walk him twice a day... Perhaps he's not getting enought exercise (even after two walks) but I feel worreid about bringing him to an off leash park because of possible dog aggression. He seems to like to bully more submissive dogs. While he hasn't hurt other dogs, he has started some scuffles, and I am not sure how to deal with this. While this is a separate issue, any suggestions for that problem too?? He generally gets along with other dogs, but he'll get in other dogs faces that don't want his attention and he won't leave them alone. Pretty rude!!

Soudns like he could use some more exercise. Try obedience work (mental exercise is more tiring than just physical) for something you can do at home, and get or make a long lead so you can let him run a bit without having to worry about him messing with other dogs. Get him out for a good play in the morning before you leave, leave some goodies (stuffed kongs are good), and maybe try just babygating him in one room so he can still see out, but not destroy the house.

[dogsgalore]

Sounds like you have your hands full. :D
My dog, Jesse, used to hate his crate. He would howl and whine whenever he was in it. I just kept giving him treats when I would first put him in and now when he knows we are going somewhere and sees me getting his treats he waits in front of the kennel door@! :lol: Just be consistent.
Also, tire him out before you leave, give him a long run or something. A tired dog will usually just sleep the time away. :)
Good luck with your pooch! :D

[samsmama]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement!

I do walk him before I go to work, but usually for just 20 minutes to half an hour. Both Sam and I are sleepy in the morning! I have to drag him out of bed to go for a walk!

When gooeydog said, "and get or make a long lead so you can let him run a bit without having to worry about him messing with other dogs" did you mean for the dog park, or just when I am walking him? a little confused... :oops:

[imported_Cassie]

Good for you for seeking advice instead of giving up...bravo. :angel:

No one knows, for certain, why some dogs develop separation anxiety and others do not your dog may have developed it due to never being left alone before..which you have already diagnosed. :wink: Separation anxiety can occur in dogs that have missed out on normal social interaction with people or other animals, especially as puppies, may also be at increased risk. A dog that has never had a prior problem may develop separation anxiety when there is a change in the owner's work schedule, or after the household has moved to a new home. Some dogs may develop separation anxiety as they grow older.

It is important for owners of dogs with separation anxiety to understand that the inappropriate behavior the dog is exhibiting is due to anxiety, and not because the dog is angry or trying to 'get back' at the owner. Scolding or punishing the dog will only lead to confusion, more anxiety, and worse behavior.
The first step is to discuss the situation with your veterinarian and have the dog undergo a complete physical examination. It is important to make sure that your dog's behavior is truly due to separation anxiety and not to something else.
Your veterinarian may recommend some testing to make sure your dog does not have any underlying medical problems, which could contribute to behavior problems or make them worse.
For dogs with separation anxiety, the most effective approach is usually a combination of behavior modification exercises and anti-anxiety medication. It is essential to realize that both medication and behavior modification exercises are important parts of therapy for dogs with separation anxiety. In most cases, using one component alone will not be sufficient to achieve success. The medication is used to help your dog relax so that she can concentrate on performing the behavior modification exercises; the exercises are what actually change the dog's response to a stressful situation, over time. I have talked to people who have used alternative anti-anxiety drugs such as melatonin & flower essences such as Rescue Remedy...or you can have your veterinarian prescribe an anti anxiety drug. Dogs with separation anxiety have a higher overall anxiety level, and drugs used as part of a treatment plan for separation anxiety need to be given regularly, not just when the dog seems anxious. Patience is important; it can take weeks to months for certain drugs to become effective.
Some behavior modification exercises you can first you can start out by leaving or acting like you are leaving for a short time - and before the dog starts getting nervous and barking (this may be one second at first), we come back. This way, we are not rewarding bad behavior, but rewarding relaxation and silence. We gradually extend the time we are gone and return before the dog gets anxious. If your dog is anxious even if you leave the room, then you will need to start by just taking several steps away from her while she remains relaxed. While going through this behavior modification, you cannot go too slow

[courtnek]

I am using Rescue Remedy on Laurel, for fear and timidity, and it appears to be working, but it takes a while before you see results. All of Cassies advice was excellent. Dont make a big deal out of leaving or returning especially. Use obedience training as a means to calm your dog. they feel more adjusted when they can do something useful and be praised for it.
Also, as far as the baby gate jumps, if you have a room where there is
nothing destructible (like the kitchen and bathroom) you can double the gates up, one on top of the other, to prevent leaping over. I would put the crate in there, with the door open, things to chew on, like the kongs, while at the same time teaching him to lay in the crate while you're there so he becomes calm about it. This will take some time, which is why I suggested
the gates and a nearly indestructible room. There are also pheremone
machines you can get which give off a calming scent. Quiet music or the TV helps too. Sometimes just sound will alleviate the stress. Also, I have found that with anxiety, an old fashioned wind-up clock that ticks will help.
Something about the regular beat of the ticking seems to calm them.
Just dont set the alarm!! :fadein:

good luck, and kudos to you for trying so hard....

[samsmama]

Thanks so much for your input. :) I'll give all these suggestions a try. I am experimenting today to see if it's boredom or separation anxiety. I hid different "treats" around the first floor of my house for him to "find" while I am gone, which may keep him mentally stimulated during the day. I'll see if there's any destruction. :-? I'll keep you posted...