american boxer destroyes everything

Question
My husband and I have a beautiful 1 year old American boxer, named Dozer.  He has been a great dog up until about 2 months ago.  We have always both worked 9-5 and he and our other dog are left at home during the day with access to outside.  He has recently been tearing up and chewing up everything and anything he can find, including rugs, dish rags, corners of couches and chairs, a cell phone, ect.  He also recently chewed up the wall trying to get tape off the trim because we were painting the inside of our house.  Its been so bad that everytime we leave, even if its for 20 minutes we have had to put everything up on counters, put barricades in front of couches where he has already chewed, close off bedroom doors.  He knows hes done wrong because when we come in the door he ducks out through the doggie door and sits outside.  We usually just hold these things in front of his face, tell him "no" and leave him outside for a while.  We are at our wits end on what to do.  We love him and don't want to always be mad at him.  What can we do?  Please help.

Answer
I can help you with this, but it will take your perseverance and patience, with consistency.

First, ask yourself has anything, and anything at all, changed in the family dynamics. This can cause anxieties.

But, it does sound as though he's developed "separation anxiety."

This is easy enough remedied, but requires work and patience.

So here it goes:

First, get a large crate for him. One he can stand up in. I like the metal "cage" that has a front door and bars on top and all sides to see him and him see you.

Use this.

What you need to do, in evenings after you've played with him and given him undivided attention, love, play, etc.... put him inside the big cage (after he's peed and drank a small drink of water (hopefully) and leave.

Even if you don't actually drive off or go anywhere- leave where he can not see or hear (or smell) you.

Stay out and away for 10-15 minutes max. Then come back, let him out, praise him, love him, show attention and affection. "Good boy- good job!" Maybe give him a special treat- one he doesn't get on a regular basis- like a cube of cheese. (pre-arrange some cubed cheese in a plastic container and keep in the 'frig handy for this)..

Do this EVERY evening and as much and often as possible on weekends.

After about 10 sessions of 10-15 minutes away time- increase it by 10 more minutes. Do this again as described above.

Then when you feel comfortable that he isn't barking and raising a fit, and is accepting this "cage and absence" routine... try doing it without the cage. Allow him his freedom as before, to come and go, but be in the front yard where he can't see you-- and keep and eye on him a and his behavior.

Also, if you catch him chewing and playing with something he is not suppose to-- a reprimand must be routine. A simple "No" and showing him isn't going to work. Dogs learn by sight, smell, feel, taste, and sound- all associations.

He must be taken to the crime scene. Put a collar and leash on him, lead him, drag him, to the crime scene. Point at the damaged goods, and in a stern voice, tell him, in simple to "associate" ..."BAD Dozer- BAD! NO Dozer- NO- BAD BOY-BAD BOY-NO!"

Those are: 1) using his name so he DOES know you are addressing him, 2) using the word "BAD" repeatedly, 3) using the word, "NO" repeatedly, 3) stern voice= he has displeased you. Dogs want to please and want good attention and playful tones of voice, not stern voices which they will and do, associate with being unhappy with them. They can feel shame. If you need to put him in a "time out" for his misbehavior, then put him inside his big cage for 5 minutes.

If all goes well; no destroying things- then you have accomplished relieving his separation anxiety.

As for destroying things and chewing on things: keep toys available to him -- I give two toys and keep the rest in a closet. When he tires of them, take them and replace them with two "new" ones to keep his interest. You can continually rotate.

I like the large "KONG" for Boxers. You can fill them with small tidbit treats or even peanut butter (better played with outside when filled with gooey peanut butter)... and that helps keep his attention focused on something and not anxieties. KONGs are durable and the most safe toy unsupervised. Never give a bone, rawhide bone or treat, pig's ear, etc. UNSUPERVISED. They can and will, chew until "soft" and can choke on the softened piece. A KONG is the best available "toy" for unsupervised times.

A huge durable (plastic? or rubber-plastic?) bone is good- it is the kind that can not break or be "chewed" except for teeth marks.

Once his attention is on the KONG (even empty- but start with KONG treats (you can buy them separate and made by KONG for KONGs) and accepting you being gone 10-15 minutes (which is an eternity to a dog) he will loose the anxiety and settle down.

This might take 3-4 weeks BUT will pay off in the end= no more destroying your home!

Let me know in 3-4 weeks how Dozer is doing on this plan.