[kavegirl77]

Our dog has just turned 1 year. We arent sure of her breed but vet guesses some kind of terrier/border collie mix.She has always been a GREAT dog. Very smart and a fast learner. She is potty trained and has a doggy door that lets out to a very large fenced in area. She has never been destructive UNTIL just recently. It started with just taking our shoes outside when we were gone. Then she destroyed a pair of my glasses when we were gone. I do my best to put stuff out of her reach, which I never had to do before but if its light and she can drag it, it seems to be fair game to her. She has toys so she shouldnt be board and she is GREAT when we are at home. She loves car rides and her life revolves around us so I think she is getting mad at us when we leave. Today was the icing on the cake....we came home after being gone for about an hour or so and she had torn up kid books and shredded diapers....all of which she left on our bed for the most part. She is my first dog and I really am at wits end with this behavior. I don't know what to do with her. She is my baby so I will NOT get rid of her BUT I am so frustrated. She is not crate trained, I dont like most ways of crate training and like I say, she has always been great since she can go outside as she pleases. Help!!

 

[Pax]

I am going through the SAME thing with Pax who is border collie/lab and now 1 year old. He was a dream until 10 months old. Left him home alone while running some errands and he chewed up a shoe and hat...off my dresser.

Next time it was a reusable bag and sandal.

Then it was out back only when left alone...started chewing up entrance mats...now is chewing up back deck when left alone. Hoping to find an answer as well how to curb this, but so far it seems to be a bit of separation anxiety.

When I am home or he is with the neighbor's dog he is an angel and knows exactly what is his and not his.

Part of the problem is too much freedom as they are still puppies. As I have learned, prior behavior does not guarantee future results!

 

[pappi pup]

Yes, I'm thinking separation anxiety also. The fact that she chewed the stuff on your bed is telling--what smells more like us than our bed? If at all possible, I would rig up a video camera or web cam and try and see how she behaves when you leave (you could do a "fake" exit). Here's a link to more information:

http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/separation-anxiety-29576/

 

[kavegirl77]

We did set up a camera at one point and let it run till the battery died. She literally waited till she heard the car leave and went looking IMMEDIATELY for something she could reach on the counter or table. I have decided its not separation anxiety because she JUST chewed up a book, and are home! UGH! I feel like I cant take my eyes off her all of a sudden

 

[Rain]

It's separation anxiety or boredom. Since you've ruled out SA then you are going to have to work on the boredom part.

Before you leave make sure she's tired, so that she's more likely to nap. BC's are notorious for their intelligence and energy, so I'd do a good exercise session, then some training, then finish up with something like a stuffed Kong. I'd also start either crate training and using the crate, or put her in one puppy proofed room. If I used the room I'd strip it as bare as possible then load it down with appropriate toys and safe chews.

If it's boredom then you need to break the cycle, the more stuff that she destroys the more she learns that destroying stuff is fun, and the worse it will become. It's a self rewarding behavior. If it's SA then follow the suggestions in the link that Pappi Pup gave you.