Our junior staffie is destructive when left alone

Hello,

We have a 1 year old staffie and it seems he is not going to quit this bad habit.

We made progress like he knows where/when to pee/poo, he listens when he is off leash, he knows commands etc. but when he is left alone he will find ways to entertain himself. It seems he cannot recognize what belongs to us and what to him. Recently he started opening our closet and chewing our clothes.

We keep him busy like he has plenty of toys, he goes daily for exercise, we still don't get it, what it is wrong with him.

Any ideas ?

We used crate in the past for one month, he couldn't stand it, he was barking for 9 hours and we had to let him be free.

Thank you.

We have a toy box for Sheara, everything that he can have belongs in there. Its a difficult one because really it should have been stopped when he was still a pup, its just a case of going back to basics I think. Every time he picks something up that he shouldn't have, simply swap it over to something he can have. How long is the daily exercise? How long is he left along for? Crate training I think only works if its been used from day 1, I wouldn't recommend such a change now he's older. Others may say different. I think its just boredom, any way you could walk him as close to the time you have to leave the house, a tired dog is a good dog so really he should be sleeping most of the day if he's getting enough exercise

Thanks for the reply.

Just a clarification, we realized that the majority of mess is done within the first two hours. And in fact the biggest mess he did , he did it when he was alone for less than 5 hours.

The problem is that when we are with him HE IS A SAINT. That's why he probably doesn't know that is wrong behaving destructive. From day 1 he is alone for 8-9 hours per day during weekdays. During weekends he is with us most of the time.

We go to the park with other dog owners and he plays with other dogs for half an hour, I have to take him back cause he gets extremely tired he can barely walk after play.

We introduced crate training when he was 6 months, total disaster.

I agree that he's bored, that is a very long time for a dog to be left alone every day! But I also wonder if it's a little bit of separation anxiety thrown into the mix - especially as it's done soon after you leave - in short he's stressed, he doesn't know that he is doing wrong, dogs don't know the difference between material items.

Being alone for 8-9 hours a day is a long time! Is there no way you could have someone pay a visit for an hour during the day so they can let him out for a wee and a little interaction. Half an hour is not enough exercise for a dog with so much energy, a good hour off leash minimum is recommended, some say 2! I personally walk my boy for 1 1/2 hours of leash a day minimum which makes him sleep the rest of the evening.

Its a long time to go without interaction so he's keeping himself occupied with new things to tear apart.

I totally agree with the above. More exercise and interaction and I'm sure he would stop. Even if it is just a dog walker visiting half way through the day to play and take him out for a quick run.

You say he can hardly walk after just half an hour with other dogs. Yes it is good for him to play and socialise and have that hard run, but equally as good to go for a longer walk, work on keeping him calm and maybe do some training along the way?

Only thing I cna add is leaving a radio or TV turned on so the house is not completly quiet when you are out.

Thanks very much for the replies.

We have to consider that he is a 12 month staffie. He is still a junior, I think it is too much 2-3 hours of exercise for his age. Plus, he behaves like this from Day 1.

It is impossible to have a dog walker during the day, unfortunately. I used to visit him the first months during lunch time daily but I stopped doing it when I realized that he has done already the mess during morning hours + he seemed depressed when I started packing to leave. Generally, when he sees that we are planning to leave for work or anything he looks really depressed.

I tried to exercise him in the morning but the result was the same, the same destructive behavior.

I believe is separation anxiety but we cannot do much about it, we have to leave for work. I did a lot of experiments like working from home some days and realized that he sleeps most of the time during the day, it is just the fact that we leave that makes him nervous. Probably, it is our fault cause when we come home we are really excited seeing him and for him our presence looks like something exciting.

I don't think he needs more exercise for his age as he is walking dead after that.

The idea of exercise is that they will be worn out... half an hour is not enough...their age in months x 5 mins, so you should be looking at 50 minutes minimum.

You mentioned separation anxiety....a regular visit during the day will help cure this...there wont be miracles over night but you should be prepared to give all options a try!

As explained by Kita, 30 minutes is half the exercise your dog should be getting. Another 30 minute walk (minimum!) could be added with more gentle exercise - on lead walking or training at Emma suggested.

Is there any reason that it's "impossible" to have a dog walker? I have a people aggressive rescue staffie and work a minimum wage job and even I have a dog walker! She doesn't take Bug out but she comes in half way through the day to play with her/let her into the garden/just keep her company really.

Of course you have to work, but there are ways to teach your dog to not be scared when you leave - they take time and patience but they work. It sounds a little to me like you're hoping for a magic cure but don't want to put the work in? Not meaning to be rude - it doesn't work like that!

There's a book called "I'll be home soon" by Patricia McConnell about separation anxiety that I believe may help - The other end of the leash by the same author is also brilliant for learning about dogs in general and their motives/the way they view the world. Really think they will help you.

Oh also - what is he fed? Do you ever leave him with interactive toys such as stuffed kongs or activity balls when he's alone?

I don't want to sound harsh or rude, I understand that not everyone has 24 hours a day to spend with their dog, but half an hour exercise per day and being shut in all day without any company or interaction just isn't good enough in my opinion. How else would you expect a 1 year old active dog to behave?

I agree, not enough exercise. At one year old Bo was doing 5 to 8 miles walking per day, with play in between. The only time he has ever been destructive was the time I started to play with him then realised I had to go out for 20 mins, leaving him in 'play mode'. Part of the problem is your dog is bored and has energy to expend. When his playmates - you - go out he's forced to make up his own games, and dog games normally involve chewing. This behaviour is probably exacerbated by frustration due to separation anxiety.

As mentioned, you don't have to get a dog walker but someone could maybe come round and play tug with him for an hour or so, or play in the yard with a ball. In addition, start popping in to see him at lunchtime and giving him with a Kong stuffed with frozen treats when you leave. He'll thank you for it.

EDIT: Also, it sounds like maybe he's not clear on his boundaries in the house, generally speaking. If you train him what is acceptable and what's not, that will carry over to when you're not there.

Just throwing my two cents in and it is quite a different view from what I've read above. Our 17mth old is left alone on during the week approx. 9-11 hours per day week days, he has destroyed a few things incl. our expensive BBQ & entire termite guard system that is underneath the house, BUT he is MUCH better now than even a few months ago. I have learnt that a tired dog is a good dog, this is the key for me. We haven't bothered with a dog walker or anyone to play with him during our absence, we have found giving him a 45 min walk morn & night (without fail) and ensuring he has a variety of toys (we rotate several) as well as a stuffed Kong each day or bone is enough to keep him amused during the day. He obviously sleeps a fair whack of the day and we're sure any damage that was done was always done within the first couple of hours of us leaving for the day. I ensure I have a good play sesh with him each evening so he feels very much a part of our attention, and he is given treats then etc. He is inside whenever we are home and he sleeps on our bed (not my 1st choice!!!) as he already has enough alone time. On weekends etc. I make sure I give him extra big walks or play sessions at the park etc. and we always ensure we put out all his toys/treats/breakfast when we leave for work and a quick goodbye when we leave. Oh and I should add I do spray our BBQ with a mixture of vinegar & hot chilli before we leave him each time, just in case !! Seems to do the trick Good luck, stick with it and maybe try a few different things, and let us know how you get on. I am sure it will get better as your pup grows older, hang in there.

Ι appreciate your responses but I think there is a misunderstanding here.

When I mentioned 30 minutes exercise I meant activities of high intensity. For example play in the park with other dogs, catch playing, sprinting, jumps etc. For me walking is not an exercise. What do you guys think, I release the dog in the yard to stop bothering me and then have him in a 9 hour prison ? Of course not.

I walk him daily 40 minutes in the morning + 30 minutes the exercises above + some small walks for pee/poo. It is not that bad for a 12 month old dog.

Of course he has toys with treats, kongs some frozen dog food etc.

We give him plenty of mental stimulation when we get home, he knows a bunch of stuff when we talk to him. This is the best we can do.

I am not a big fan of having strangers in my apartment and dog keepers.

Okay - try to see it this way. How would you feel shut in one room all day with no phones/internet/TV/books/people. You would find ways to occupy yourself, right? Dogs are hugely social, they're designed to live in groups. I used to leave my dog for 9 hours a day 5 days a week - until I met a dog walker that I could trust - she's registered and has insurance. The difference in her behaviour now that she's only left for that amount 2 days a week with a break is incredible. Do you have any friends/family that you would trust to let in?

Please don't think that the replies here are a personal criticism, it's very hard to offer advice on limited information and from the original post it did read as though there was a lack of exercise, clearly that is not the case given your further post

There are two responses above which I think are quiet good, Rachel points out what I think is quiet clear. He's either frustrated, bored or both. AussieStaff is also in a very similar situation to yours and has found some solutions that work for them. Personally I think it's a balance of the two replies. Although my Flo is left home all day I do manage to get home at lunchtimes for interaction and play etc. If I can't get back I call my neighbour to pop in and let her out and spend a few mins with her

What should be remembered too is that he is still young and mischievous. Pushing boundries and exploring new things are all part of growing up. Things will calm down as he gets older and settles into whatever compromised routine you adopt going forward.

Thank you guys for the responses I will start making changes and see how it goes.

Just wondered how you got on this week ?

Hello, thanks for your interest. Sorry for the late response I am giving him time to have more accurate results.

Well the boy is behaving better. Nothing destructive so far. I only noticed he still sleeps on our bed while we are out. It's funny he does that when we are out, but previously he was destroying the pillows, now he sleeps. I need to give him time though.

I haven't changed much to be honest, just a few. I walk him off leash in the morning so he can run at the park or when he wants to. I think what is working is to be less enthusiastic when we arrive home or when we leave the house. It seems we made a huge deal when we came home or when we leave we feel bad so probably we transferred our anxiety. Now we are just cool, no fancy welcomings. He actually stopped jumping over us upon arrival. I introduced a phrase too while I leave smth like "be right back" in order for him to know that I will be back sometime. I extended his evening walks as well as the weather is better now so let's see how it goes. Fingers crossed