Training dogs not to be destructive

   Destructiveness cannot be handled on a one shot basis because it is connected to the whole life of the dog.  It's connected to age, diet, breed, temperament, exercise--or lack of it, the level of obedience training--or lack of it, companionship--the works.

  The crate helps prevent destructiveness. A portion of dogs just need to learn not to chew some things.It's just a matter of catching them in the act and making sure they don't have a positive experience with it.  This usually is a puppy or an adult who is being left unattended for the first time in the house.  For this situation a training philosophy  may be to leave the dog out with an old shoe, or something they may chew that isn't worth anything, only when they are being supervised.  If you see the dog beginning to chew on it use some sort of stimuli so they associate themselves chewing on that and you not being happy.  A quick loud verbal "no!" may work.  Some dogs may need more information than others.  The idea is to have the associate chewing on the object an you not being happy, and when they are not chewing on the object your its best friend. Offer them an alternative that is ok to chew on and let them they are a great dog for chewing on his toy. A rawhide or a bone with peanut butter stuffed inside  may be an example of something good to use.  When the dog begins to be reliable in your company start to leave the house for a few minutes and then quietly come back in.  At first this should only be a few minutes long. After a period of time when your dog starts to be  reliable with you leaving for a short time slowly increase the duration of your absence.

    Some dogs chew out of nervousness.  These dogs are much harder to deal with.  Unlike the dog who just doesn't know better, these dogs chew as a way of coping with their stress.  To teach these dogs not to chew requires  desensitizing them to what  is causing them the stress in the first place.  Classic conditioning with positive experiences  in short intervals may be an approach.    An example of this - work on the above scenario first.  When you return if there is no signs of stress ( not panting, howling, or shedding hair ,perhaps the dog may even be sleeping) You can begin to add a very small amount of additional  stimuli. Maybe dropping an envelope in the mail chute, or have someone knock on the door. Very slowly keep adding more and more stimuli if no signs of stress are apparent. Remember to keep the level of stimuli below the threshold that causes the dog to become stressed.  This takes a lot of time and requires methodical patience and procedure.  A few bad experiences can send months of training down the drain. Some dogs nervousness just don't ever seem to be overcome.  If own one of these dogs talk to your veterinarian about medication for the anxiety.