Why is he getting destructive again?

[mantine]

Grizzley is now 1 year and 4 months. For the last 4-5 months he has been staying out in the house while we are at work with no problems at all. Now all of a sudden in the last week I have come home 3 times to him taking things off the coffee table and him destroying them (magazines and a small bottle of lotion). Our routine with him has not changed. He gets exercise every evening and every day on the weekend. He's been eating. Why is he suddenly doing this? Is this the end of the puppy phase and he's testing us again, is he suddenly getting separation anxiety. I have to admit I haven't done any training sessions with him in a while, could that be it? That he needs more structure/discipline? (Now I don't mean discipline as in hitting or beating him so don't think that!). The first time I thought ok, it happens, but for it to happen 3 times in the same week makes me think something must be up.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Here's the little troublemaker:

More exercise.
More training.
Use the crate when you are away for a while.

Prevention is KEY to getting a handle on this issue. He is comforted and relieved each time he does this, so if you don't start NOW, and prevent his ability to do it, it will become harder each time to REALLY get him to not do it anymore.

You might also think about getting him some really interesting things to chew on while you are there to supervise. I had a destructive dog who really changed when she was given things that it was OK to tear up. She loves 2 liter soda bottles, and I buy cheap stuffies at the local thrift stores for her to tear up.

[lizzybeth727]

WHY he's doing it is difficult to say, and basically it doesn't really matter. What matters is that he IS doing it, and now you can develop a plan to help prevent it from happening again. Red's advice is good. And he might need more training excercises to focus his mind on more productive things.

[Zoom]

Yeah, he's probably a little mentally bored and is amusing himself. Agree with Red's advice.

and WHERE are more Grizz pics?? It's been awhile and I'm feeling deprived!

[RosanaHart]

Can you spell t-e-e-n-a-g-e-r? That could be part of it. Our year and a half Rottweiler is going through that.

I definitely agree with the exercise aspect. If there is any way he can get morning exercise before you go to work, a tired dog is a better dog!

But with the crate, the amount of time that a dog should spend in a crate shouldn't be like all day... not that the other poster said it should. If you have a laundry room (without toxic chemical in reach) or other space that he could be limited to when you are gone, that might help too.

Best wishes!

[LuvsDogs]

Does he have access to a back yard? If he does & it's secure, scatter his breakfast all over the yard. It will take him quite a while to find all the bits of kibble, in which time he is exercising his brain & nose, looking for every single morsal. He will be tired afterwards & will probably sleep.

[mrose_s]

Even wiht the same amount of excercise, he probably needs more mental stimulation.
Sometimes I think "omg why is Buster getting Barky/annoying, jumpy etc" and it always comes down to how much excercise and training he's been getting

[KatzNK9]

Being destructive is generally a result of lack of exercise & mental stimulation. Keep him tired, occupied approriately & add some training to redirect the negative behavior into positive behavior.

Good luck! He's at an age where it is tough but with the right approach, this time will pass before you know it.