How do I stop him destroying things?

Rubio is about a year old now. He isn't left on his own for very long during the day but nearly every time we come home at the moment he has ripped something else up. It's mainly stuff from the recycling bin, but there have been a couple of books, cards, letters, and maps. And he's taken a few chunks out the coffee table and wrecked the laundry basket as well!
Is there anything we can do to combat this? He is walked for an hour every morning and my fiancé is with him until 1130. He is then alone in the house til 1300 if I come home for lunch or 1530 worst case scenario when we finish. He always has a kong and other toys. I'm fairly sure he's not getting anxious or anything, I just think he loves ripping stuff up! He does it when we're at home as well.
Anyone got any experience of this (Most of you, I'm sure) or advice? Thanks

Is he crate trained? Crate could be an option whilst you out for a couple of hours?

There is also bitter apple spray which can be sprayed on furniture etc - it just leaves a nasty taste and will hopefully deter him.

Ralph wasn't a big chewer luckily, it was just the odd book that came a cropper!

Whilst you are in, I would be actively stopping him from getting hold of anything that hasn't been given to him, replace things that he's got with his own toys. He will get the message...

Other people will be along with some more advice soon!

The spray Jo mentions above is used by quiet a few people. I would also remove anything chewable. I think you're right, it's not an anxiety thing more a I want to play rough with things. It will settle as Rubio gets older

Thanks for the advice. I definitely need to make sure that he doesn't chew anything he isn't given when we're around. Sometimes I do admit to just letting him tear an empty egg box apart if it keeps him quiet!
He is happy enough in the cage that we used when he was a pup, but I didn't really feel it was right shutting him in now he's older.
And the last time we used an anti-chew spray he licked it all off and kept on chewing! :-)

Rubio wrote:And the last time we used an anti-chew spray he licked it all off and kept on chewing! :-)

... sorry had to laugh... typical Staffy

defo is a typical staffy

He really should be getting more than 1 hour a days walking,perhaps try an increase the walks and some mental stimulation aswell, ie play hide and seek with a fave toy or treat, a tired dog is a good dog

theres games for your dog you can buy at pets at home they figure out the puzzle before they get their reward.
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/dog/dog/dog-toys/paw-flapper-dog-game
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/mg-033/dog-games-treat-triad-puzzle?pageSize=32

I said he gets an hour minimum in the morning, he also gets 1-2hrs every afternoon when we get home from work! He also gets regular play with other dogs, goes to a dog club once a week, comes running with me, and follows me around the local mountain bike trails. He is not short of exercise.

He certainly isn't short of exercise... Blimey I would be shattered

I'd keep trying the bitter apple. A crate is an option and so is a baby gate if you have a space for it.

Rubio wrote:I said he gets an hour minimum in the morning, he also gets 1-2hrs every afternoon when we get home from work! He also gets regular play with other dogs, goes to a dog club once a week, comes running with me, and follows me around the local mountain bike trails. He is not short of exercise.

Fair enough I must of misread then as didnt see the minimum bit, my apologies.

A tired dog is a good dog My dog is outdoors alone 10 hours a day while we're at work and has destroyed our BBQ, plants, and even termite protection system underneath the house. Now I spray the costly items with a mix of white vinegar & hot chilli in the bottle and he hasn't touched anything since The bitter spray from the pet stores he used to lick off as well. I wouldn't trust my boy inside alone, he's bad enough outdoors sometimes !! He's 15 months btw. Hoping he continues to settle as he grows

AussieStaff wrote:has destroyed our BBQ, plants, and even termite protection system underneath the house. Now I spray the costly items with a mix of white vinegar & hot chilli in the bottle and he hasn't touched anything since The bitter spray from the pet stores he used to lick off as well.

I've just worked it out Bek, he wanted to use the chilli spray on a burger on the Barbie but hasn't quiet figured it out yet

many times id like to give him a chilli burger trust me!!!!

Unfortunately mine loves chilli as well!
I would use the crate if we were really desperate but for now I think I'll just take things out of his way and discourage him from chewing when we're around. I don't want to shut him away, even if it is just a couple of hours.
Baby gate isn't really an option because he'd just jump over it!

AussieStaff wrote: many times id like to give him a chilli burger trust me!!!!

Rubio wrote:Baby gate isn't really an option because he'd just jump over it!

Yup the gate didn't work for me either, straight over the top

Can you not leave him outside instead?

Outside?! Well there's a foot of snow on the ground for a start! But no, I wouldn't leave him outside on his own

Quite apart from the weather, he'd definitely hump the * out of the neighbour's dogs!

My first staff also chewed when we were out - usually my bits n bobs but he did stop as he got older. Did have the occasional chewathon, once he destroyed my bathroom! How does a staff smash a ceramic cistern lid off a loo? The mind boggles!! Hope you sort something soon!

We still crate our 10 month old when we go to work and like you it's only for a max of 4 hours. It's probably for our piece of mind rather than because of what she might get up to. But we know she's safe in there.
Another thing to try is to keep him awake until you go out.
Pete

Randy little begger

Outside isn't really an option here, Aussie weather is a darn site better. I guess removing all chewable things is the way to go but what you do with the table is a bit awkward. Think the way to go is to discourage when you are home as it may be seen as except able when your out.

The only other advice I can offer is that it does get better

Sorry I'm in Aussie, I didn't think about the snow (we are hving 35c+ day after day after day).

How does he handle the heat in Aus? Is it not quite hard keeping him cool? Quite susceptible to temperature either way our staff pals it seems!

I tried tobasco everything on my eldest springer spaniel and he use to mouth but he always liked them lmfaoo even used soap once and then he stole the soap out the bath room and started eating it haha

Rubio wrote:How does he handle the heat in Aus? Is it not quite hard keeping him cool? Quite susceptible to temperature either way our staff pals it seems!

No he's fine, guess used to it. Just make sure he has plenty of water available, shelter, and frozen treats to occupy him (frozen yoghurt Kongs, frozen carrots etc.), walk early in the morning before it's too hot and late at night when it's hopefully a little cooler (if not just make it a shorter walk and he's whacked!)

Hannah&Michael UK wrote:I tried tobasco everything on my eldest springer spaniel and he use to mouth but he always liked them lmfaoo even used soap once and then he stole the soap out the bath room and started eating it haha

Soap stealer !!!

Sounds like a nasty tasting spray could be the way forward here. my pooch is nearly 3 and he still loves chewing things up, but only when we're in the house. Could you not leave him say in a kitchen with things that he is allowed to chew and remove everything else?

I would definitely discourage him every time he goes to chew something other than his own toys when you are around,, he will hopefully get the message eventually lol. Another thing is positive rewards,, so giving him a reward when you tell him no or leave it and he does as he is told, and then a bit playtime with a toy of his.