Escape artist Boxer

Question
My 1 year male Boxer was so good up till a few months ago.  He is crate trained, but now he has found away to escape and destroy my house!  He even tears up the carpet and furniture!  Is there anything I can do?

Answer
So, you are telling me that he escapes out of his crate? If so, I'd like to know how.

If you intend on keeping in the crate unattended (and I do not recommend that, but for 2 hours at most at one time)... then you will need to ensure there is a way to fix it so he can not get out.... lock on the door to the cage, or something.

BUT... and there is always a "but" ... I highly recommend against that. If something should happen and someone needs to get him out, they will not be able to. So, we need to revise this to accomadate him.

He has "separation anxiety" and the destructiveness is due to his anxieties and all dogs, will destroy things when anxious. When you are gone, he is lonely, he is terrified you will not return, he is anxious and nervous, it's like a panic attack.

I would suggest fixing a bedroom up, or laundry/utility room, dog proofing it like you would "baby proof" your house in the meantime. Nothing on the floor or within his reach, including his standing reach, that can hurt him or he can destroy. When I say baby proof, I mean that. NOTHING in that room other than his nonestructable water and food bowls (dish) and his toys. And even then, my suggestion is only allow him toys like a "Kong" and "Kong toys" period. Anything else can harm him if not supervised. Kongs are indestructable.

Now, to clear up the separation anxiety:

Put him in his crate after taking him outside to pee or poop. Let him drink a small amount of water, and have discontinued his feeding for at least an hour beforehand. We don't want a poop-urge while in the crate.

Tell him you are leaving and will be back soon, in a calm, but happy voice, reassuring tone.

Leave the house, even if it's to sit on the front porch. Be away for 10-15 minutes maximum.

Return, let him out of the crate, and love him, show affection and attention, and praise him for being a good boy and give him a special treat (one he normally does not get).. like a piece of cheese, or buy special treats just for this training.

Do this again as often as necessary, probably once a day, and a few times a day on your days off work- weekends for example.

Increase it by 10 minutes every few days, but not to exceed an hour at any one interval.

Remember, upon returning, let him out, praise him, give him a treat, show him attention and love, and remain in an upbeat, but calm, reassuring tone of voice.

Soon he will learn the association of being in his crate, to you returning (thus reassuring him) and getting a special treat, and your love and attention. Boxers want to please their humans.

This shouldn't take any longer than 3-4 weeks with your diligence.

Be patient, be consistent, and stick with the program.

Soon he will understand there is nothing to be anxious about.

Never use a harsh tone of voice with him. Never yell at him. Never hit him. This is all negatives and will induce the opposite of what you want from him-- a positive behavior. Treat him positive, and he'll respond positively.

Let me know in a follow-up "question" to this one in 3-4 weeks, please.