Holes under the fence? Torn up gardens and flowerbeds? Fox holes in the backyard? Gnawed furniture? Destroyed pillows? Shredded rugs? Nibbled dress shoes? Chomped on athletic shoes? Holes in the walls? Trash all over the house? Carpets munched on? Living room TP'd (toilet papered)? Blinds bent or torn down? Ever walk into your house, at that moment stunned, thinking it's been vandalized? Then you find the "perp" all curled up on what was once the seat of the couch, snoring away, dog-tired from his "search and destroy" mission? Does any of that sound familiar? Well, relax.
You are not alone! Dog trainers hear all kinds of stories.
However, it's usually a close tie between the situations above and "My dog won't come when I call.
", that gets that person so exasperated, they pick up the phone, desperately calling for help.
The reply a candid trainer will give, "BOREDOM! It sounds like you have an exceptionally bored dog.
" Just as with people, boredom often leads to trouble.
Idle paws are the devil's workshop! What your dog is doing is using negative mental and physical stimulation to burn up energy and amuse him or her self.
Don't take it personally.
They aren't trying to "get even" with you.
They are simply stimulating themselves physically and mentally.
What they need are more structured exercise and mental challenges.
That's your job! The most overused quote dog trainers and behaviorist hear when they ask the person how often and how long do they exercise their dog every day is: "We have a fenced backyard.
" (Sound buzzer) Ehhh!..
..
Wrong answer! Plunking your dog out in the backyard...
ALONE, usually gives them the perfect opportunity and incentive to do something ...
anything, wrong! Within minutes, they are done with their business, they have patrolled the fence line, (ideal time to check out potential escape routes) they have barked at the squirrels, and they have said "Hi!" to the neighbors.
Now, they are looking for something new and more exciting.
The gears in that adorable canine head start grinding...
"Ah-ha! There was that area behind the shed...
no one can see me...
I'll be out here ALONE for at least an hour while they get ready to leave for the day...
I'll start digging! I may not make it out of the yard today...
but it will be a fine start.
" Then there's the "They locked me in the bathroom...
again! I can't stand another minute in here ALONE!" Gnaw, chomp, munch, rip! "They won't be home for hours...
I'll be out of here by then.
" You come home to find your dog has destroyed every pillow in the living room, gnawed on the new chairs in the dining room, and has added a "doggie door" to the bathroom door! The comical thing is, your dog doesn't have a clue why you are acting like a lunatic! It's been hours since he re-decorated...
that association is long gone! All he sees is a raving, wild person, so he runs for cover! Relax.
Take a deep breath.
OK, so let's look at the last 24 hours.
That will give you a clue as to who is really responsible, for the new look.
Last night, you got home late.
You were tired, so the trip to the beach for a run was out of the question.
It was getting too dark to go to the dog park.
So, your four-legged friend had to settle for a quick walk down the street...
not even a walk around the block.
After being home ALONE all day, with all that energy building up! Think about it! You got up a little late this morning, so the morning walk was out of the question.
Your buddy would have to deal with being tossed in the backyard...
ALONE, while you get ready for work.
That would have to suffice, until you get home.
Here we go again.
Home ALONE...
with all that unspent energy!What do you expect? Whose fault is the mess? To keep your dog from destroying your home and yard, they need at least 2 hours of structured exercise every day! That means some effort on your part.
Split it up, 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the evening...
and the outcome will amaze you.
You will not even recognize your own dog! OK, so spending more time exercising your dog means setting the alarm for half an hour earlier in the morning.
You can deal with it.
Go to bed earlier! Or spend half an hour less at the gym.
What better exercise partner can you ask for than your dog? Don't fritter valuable time.
Do something exciting and strenuous with your dog before "abandoning" him all day.
Run the beach together at sunrise, take him or her for a longer walk...
you can both use the cardiovascular workout.
Take your dog to the dog park before work...
he gets to run and play with other dogs, (not to mention tired out), while you munch down your donut and coffee.
Give your dog breed specific exercises.
Got a Dachshund, Basset or Terrier? They are bred to dig! Designate a digging area in your yard, or get them a sandbox.
Let them dig to their heart's content.
Surprise them with buried treasures (toys or balls) they can find.
It keeps them interested.
Got a Retriever, Spaniel, or Newfie? Take a couple of laps in the pool together.
Toss a ball or toy into the pool.
Run on the beach together.
Find a field or woods.
Let her flush birds or tree squirrels.
Toss a Frisbee! Do anything that requires running and retrieving! Is there a Greyhound living at your place? Get a bike and go for a "ride" together.
Greyhounds are sprinters.
To them, a 20 -30 minute run is a respectable workout.
After that, they will be happy lying on their bed watching the Animal Planet until you get home.
Bottom line: Find activities you both enjoy.
Share that time together, so neither of you gets frustrated with each other.
As the leader of your pack, it's your responsibility to keep the pack happy and healthy.
There is no question, ask any seasoned dog owner, "A tired dog is a good dog!"