My 2 year old bitch is chewing everything

Hello everyone.

I have a 2 year old Staffie (Bella). She's a rescue staff and we've had her for about 6 months. We've had no problems with her at all until the past couple of weeks.

My partner works all day and I am currently on a placement where I'm out fro about half 8 to 5pm. Bella is left on her own, however either my Uncle, brother or Dad come and walk her during this time for at least an hour (I'm very lucky to have so many dog walkers!!!)

When they come in around lunchtime there's no problems, however when I get in, she's chewed something, carpet, chewed the plug off the fridge (now resighted so she can't get to it). I got a cage for her, and put her bed in it as someone told me it could help with seperation anxiety, she seems to like it, although I don't shut her in it. Today it was the plastic tray from the bottom of the cage that is destroyed.

When she is left, her kong is filled up for her and she has rope toys to chew on. She is left in the kitchen (it's quite a large kitchen) as I'm scared to let her have the run of anywhere else in case she chews more electrical stuff! (She has always been left in the kitchen).

She gets really excited when people come in and pees everywhere as well, a couple of times she has just randomly dropped her back end and peed on the carpet for no apparant reason.

Please help........where has my perfectly behaved dog gone???Could it just be terrible 2's?? My brother said she was a nightmare on her lead today, she's normally alright

Thanks xx

Hiya from me and Moo, I'm lucky I have never had a chewer, maybe try closing the crate when your out, it could be she is pushing boundries, do you walk her before you go to work?

Maybe you could come and say hi

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

Sounds like she is probably chewing out of boredom if she is not used to being left alone for so long, apart from the walks. If her routine has suddenly changed this could explain the change in her behaviour. Lots of chew toys will help along with the stuffed Kong, a good long walk before she is left and a play too wont hurt.

I take her out with her ball to tire her out before I leave her, and then she's walked for an hour at lunchtime, and then I'm home at 4.30-5, feed her and my hubby takes her out again.
She's never left for more than 4-5 hours maximum, this has been her routine for 8 weeks now, but only the past 2 weeks when she's started chewing.xx

Have the fireworks bothered her? Just clutching at straws but it might be a thought Xx

Hmm... My boy is always fine being left in the morning, but he hates it when i pop home for lunch and then go again.. (although my 2nd outing is only an hour) he will chew or just randomly rip his bed... however I think he does it out of protest as it's not all the time now. I found leaving him a frozen Kong and putting the radio on really helped him. He's a lot happier with the new routine.. I come in, we walk / play then grab my cuppa and sandwich, radio on and kong or stag bar and then I go. Maybe a radio and Kong in the afternoon would her her too?

Thanks for all your replies, she was upset by the fireworks so it could be that, I'll also try the radio and a frozen kong. Fingers crossed!!!

If you have a telly in your kitchen try Cbeebies! Betsy loves it

Have you tried cow hooves? You can buy them stuffed but when that's gone fill it up with dry food and some paste just like a kong and freeze it. It keeps Betsy amused longer than a kong
Although be warned the house does smell like a farmyard first time round

Good luck!