Coming home to destruction is not sustainable
You open the door and immediately see the damage. Cushions shredded, blinds pulled down, door frames scratched. Your dog is excited to see you, tail wagging, oblivious to the disaster. This pattern of coming home to destruction is one of the most frustrating — and expensive — challenges dog owners face. But the fix depends entirely on why it’s happening.
“We were spending hundreds on replacing things our dog destroyed. Turned out it was separation anxiety, not boredom. Once we started the Bubbas plan and understood what was really going on, the destruction dropped off dramatically within a month.”
Destruction vs. anxiety: What’s the difference?
Not all destruction is created equal. The type and location of damage tells you a lot about what’s driving it.
- Anxiety destruction: Focused on exits — doors, windows, crates. Happens immediately after departure. Often accompanied by barking, whining, or accidents. Your dog is trying to escape or follow you.
- Boredom destruction: Random items — shoes, pillows, trash. Happens after your dog has been alone for a while. No particular pattern to the location. Your dog is entertaining themselves.
- Frustration destruction: Triggered by something specific — a squirrel outside the window, a noise, confinement in a crate they hate. Targeted and intense.
A camera can help you figure out which type you’re dealing with. Watch when the destruction starts and what triggers it.
Prevention setup: Stop the damage while you train
Training takes time. In the meantime, you need to prevent further damage. Here’s how to manage the environment while you work on the underlying cause.
- Confine to a safe area: Not a crate (which can worsen anxiety). A dog-proofed room with nothing destructible. Some dogs do well in a penned area.
- Remove high-value targets: Shoes in closets, remotes in drawers, cushions off the couch if needed. Make the environment boring.
- Provide approved outlets: Multiple chew toys, a frozen Kong, a snuffle mat. Give your dog something to do.
- Exercise before departures: A tired dog is less likely to destroy. A 20–30 minute walk or play session before you leave can make a big difference.
- Use a camera: Monitor your dog’s behavior to understand what’s happening and when.
The training plan: Addressing the root cause
Once you know whether you’re dealing with anxiety, boredom, or frustration, you can train accordingly.
- For anxiety: Graduated absence training. Start with micro-departures and build duration. Bubbas has a dedicated separation anxiety plan for this.
- For boredom: Increase daily stimulation — longer walks, training sessions, food puzzles, sniff games. Bubbas’ daily plan includes mental enrichment recommendations.
- For frustration: Identify and address the trigger. Block visual access to squirrels, desensitize to noises, or improve crate associations.
- For all types: Teach settle behavior so your dog has a default “calm” mode when you’re away.
Frequently asked questions
Should I crate my dog to prevent destruction?+
It depends. If your dog is crate-trained and relaxed in a crate, it can be a management tool. But if destruction is anxiety-driven, a crate can make panic worse — many dogs injure themselves trying to escape. Bubbas’ plan helps you determine the right containment strategy for your dog’s specific situation.
My dog only destroys my things, not my partner’s. Is that personal?+
It feels personal, but it’s usually because your things smell more like you. If your dog is anxiously attached to you specifically, they’ll seek comfort from items that carry your scent. It’s actually a sign of attachment, not spite.
Will my dog grow out of destructive behavior?+
Puppies often grow out of teething-related chewing (around 6–8 months). But anxiety or boredom-driven destruction in adult dogs won’t resolve on its own. It needs training, environmental management, and sometimes veterinary support.
Stop coming home to chaos
Get a training plan that addresses why your dog destroys things — not just the symptoms.
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