Jack Russell terriorist

Question
My jack Russell is just over a year old. I got him as a puppy. He did very well with potty training and didn't have any accidents for a long while. Now he is having many! I am disciplining him in the same manner as before with no affect.
He also get a hold of my clothes (bras, socks, underwear, etc.) and rips them apart. I keep it out of reach as much as possible but if i miss something he will destroy it. He also has "his" sweatshirt. One of my old ones that he has slept on since he was a puppy. I'm wondering if its related. I realize hes attracted to my scent. Looking for some perspective. Will i ever be able to trust him with anything on the floor or not pottying? How long does this puppy stage last? help!
p.s. I love my dog and wouldn't trade him for the world. Hopeful to get these behaviors under control.

Answer
This will be difficult.  Neuter him if not already.  

The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat.

It will take the above a while to show much difference.  For the sake of your clothes and your home, you will have to crate him for now when you can't watch him.  Other dogs may not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.

Accidents and damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice give it an ''Ah, ah, ah!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.