Dog on bed starting to chew things

How To Stop A Dog From Tearing Things Up When Left Alone

We’ve all been there. That sinking feeling of dread the moment you come home and see remnants of what used to be your favorite pair of shoes sprinkled throughout the house. Dread quickly turns to rage as you spot your beloved pooch waiting happily by the door, tail wagging, relieved that you’re finally home. We know it’s hard to stay calm while your dog is destroying your house, but before you let that frustration take over, we’ve got a few ways to help you figure out how to stop your dog from tearing things up when they’re left alone.

Why Is My Dog Destroying My House?

There isn’t one single reason why dogs damage things, and there isn’t one single strategy for how to stop a dog that is. If your pup is tearing things up when they’re left alone, it might be for one of these reasons:

    • Age: If your fur baby is a puppy, then chewing and tearing things up is a normal part of growing up and a way to relieve teething pain.
    • Boredom: A bored dog is going to find ways to entertain themselves and guess what? Shredding your couch cushions happens to be very entertaining. 
    • Separation Anxiety: This is the most common reason dogs tear things up while left alone. Chewing is a way for them to relieve stress and anxiety. If your little buddy only destroys things when left alone, then separation anxiety is the reason why. 

Puppies

While chewing and shredding things does tend to stop after about 6 months of age, your puppy still needs to be taught which things are ok and not ok to chew. Positive rewards-based training is an excellent way to do this. Don’t forget to provide your fur baby with plenty of toys they can chew on. If your puppy is teething, ice cubes and frozen toys or treats are excellent ways to help alleviate the pain and keep your dog from being destructive.

Boredom

One of the best ways to stop your dog from destroying your house is exercise. Long walks before you leave, or time spent throwing the ball in the backyard will tire them out and they’ll spend their alone time sleeping, rather than tearing things up. Keep them entertained while you’re gone by giving them puzzle toys to play with. Freezing their meals in a Kong or freezable toy that will also occupy them for hours while calming them at the same time. 

Separation Anxiety

Dogs who’ve been abandoned or suffered the loss of a guardian are prone to severe separation anxiety. This triggers the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline to be released in their bodies. The tips mentioned above will help ease some of that anxiety, but just like humans, their stress hormone levels will still be high. 

Using CBD oil for dogs is an excellent way to rebalance their hormone levels and help them stay calm. CBD oil affects their endocannabinoid system, which works to reset any chemical imbalances in the rest of the body. A few drops of oil in a treat or directly in their mouth 30 minutes before you leave helps them stay calm and balanced.

Now that you know how to stop a dog from tearing things up when left alone, you and your little buddy can both stay calm and relaxed when it’s time for you to go. If you have any questions about giving your dog CBD oil we would love to hear from you, please feel free to send us an email or give us a call. Helping you chillax with your beloved pet is what we’re all about. 


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