Whether it’s your first time to get a puppy in Melbourne or it’s your third time, you probably know that not all furniture in your home can be pet-proofed. From your upholstered sofas to wooden tables, your pets will probably find something to chew on when they become bored.
While these destructive tendencies are quite common in puppies and young dogs - especially when they have such high energy levels all the time - there are a lot of ways that you can curb this behavior.
In this article, we’ll help you figure out how to prevent your dogs from destroying your furniture and how you can help them redirect their energy.
Why Do Dogs Like Destroying Furniture?
There are a lot of possible reasons why your dog might be destroying your things. At random times of the day, you may find them trying to dig a hole in your upholstered furniture, scratching your wooden floors, or just chewing on your shoes and pillows.
What a lot of pet parents don’t understand, though, is that dogs typically have a lot of pent-up energy, and one of the easiest ways to release this is to destroy the nearest things they can lay their eyes on. In some instances, dogs may also be destructive when they’re suffering from high anxiety or are extremely stressed.
This destructive tendency may also be doubled in puppies who are in their teething age, which may run between three weeks to about six months. Teething puppies will try to chew on your furniture to relieve their sore gums, especially if they don’t have any teething toys around. But fret not because we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to help curb this behavior from your pup and help soothe them when they’re in need of added attention.
How to Stop Dogs From Destroying Your Furniture at Home
If you’re tired of finding destroyed pieces of clothing or things around your house, here are some tips that you can try out with your pet:
Add stimulating toys and activities around your home.
Provide your dog with toys and chew items that are designed to keep them entertained and distracted for long periods of time. Some examples of these are puzzles, treat-dispensing toys, interactive playthings, and squeaky toys. However, remember to ensure the toys are appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits. Avoid small toys that can serve as choking hazards for your pets, especially if you won’t be around to supervise them while they’re playing.
Close doors and add baby gates to “restricted” sections.
Limit your dog’s access to areas where they tend to be destructive to most. If they like destroying your couch, consider adding baby gates to your doorways to stop them from getting to their favorite furniture to chew on.
Find a sturdy baby gate that’s tall enough to prevent them from jumping over it. It’s also important to find one with a reliable locking mechanism so your pet won’t find a way around the baby gate.
Consider crate training.
If your pet is suffering from anxiety and stress, consider giving them a private space where they can seek safety when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Find a quiet space for your pet that’s far from foot traffic and put a crate or a bed where they can lie down without being disturbed. This may help them relax and curb the need to destroy furniture around your home.
Use deterrent scents on furniture.
If your dog is keen on chewing or digging on certain furniture, consider using deterrent sprays to keep them away. There are numerous pet-safe options available in the market today, or you can always make your own!
Make citrus-scented sprays that you can spray around your furniture, or use a bowl of lemon water and place them around your room. Dogs absolutely hate how citrus smells, so keeping the scent near your furniture will help stop them from coming near your things.
Additionally, if your dog or cat pees on your carpet or floor, make sure you clean it using enzymatic sprays or have your carpet professionally cleaned to prevent your pets from going over and over in that same spot.
Help your pets spend their pent-up energy.
One of the top reasons why dogs destroy things is that they’re bored out of their minds. In fact, destructive tendencies are often seen in dogs who are not allowed to expend their energy throughout the day. In order to release this, they turn to destructive behaviors. To help curb this, consider bringing your dog along for long walks or letting them run around and play with other dogs in the nearest dog park. If possible, bring along some toys that you can throw around for your dog while you’re out.
However, if all these things don’t work for you, consider consulting your veterinarian or a professional dog behaviorist so that you can find out what’s causing your pet’s behavior. Chances are they’ll know what’s wrong, and they can help you solve whatever is troubling your pet and what’s causing them to act out even with your interventions.
