How to Stop Your Dog Destroying Furniture When You're Out

Dogs can sometimes be hard on your home, which sadly contributes to many landlords and letting agents not allowing tenants with dogs. But if your dog’s destructive behaviour goes beyond normal wear and tear—tearing up curtains, chewing upholstery, and causing damage—it’s vital to address this challenge with care and understanding.

Many reasons may cause your dog to attack furniture, including boredom, excess energy, anxiety, or lack of appropriate outlets. Fixing this behaviour requires attentive care, management, and enriching your dog's environment to meet their emotional and physical needs.

1. Understanding the Causes of Furniture Destruction

Before trying to stop the behaviour, assess what drives your dog to chew or destroy items when you’re out.

• If your puppy is teething, they need plenty of suitable chew toys to soothe their gums and divert their chewing urge.
• Does your dog have high energy levels? Without sufficient exercise, dogs may turn to destructive behaviours out of frustration or boredom.
• If your dog has digging instincts or anxiety, consider ways to safely accommodate these urges, such as a digging zone outdoors or interactive puzzle toys.

Ensuring your dog is enriched mentally and physically is the cornerstone of reducing destructive tendencies.

2. Don’t Make It Easy: Protect Your Furniture

Limit tempting opportunities and physical access to your furnishings:

• Move curtains or items out of reach to prevent chewing.
• Use furniture covers, tape loose fabric, or apply safe taste deterrent sprays designed specifically for dogs.
• Install baby gates or close doors to keep your dog confined to dog-proof rooms when you’re not home.

3. Provide a Safe Space When You’re Out

Using a crate or confining your dog to a secure room can reduce damage risk and make your dog feel comfortable and safe:

• If your dog is crate trained, provide the crate with soft bedding and favourite toys.
• Include stuffed puzzle toys like a Kong to occupy their time and provide mental stimulation.
• This confinement should be limited, respecting a maximum of four hours alone for most dogs to maintain wellbeing.

4. Tire Out Your Dog Before Leaving

A tired dog is a less destructive dog. Ensure you provide adequate exercise:

• Take your dog on a satisfying walk, allowing time for mental and physical engagement.
• Spend time playing interactive games or practising basic training commands to tire them out.
• A short garden toilet break alone won’t suffice as exercise.

5. Offer a Variety of Toys and Mental Challenges

Toys and interactive challenges can keep your dog’s mind engaged and reduce boredom:

• Give toys with different textures and shapes to entice chewing on appropriate objects.
• Use puzzle feeders, treat dispensers, or stuffed toys to keep your dog busy while alone.
• This helps your dog associate your absence with positive experiences rather than distress.

6. Use Deterrents Wisely

To prevent chewing on favourite destruction targets:

• Apply bitter apple or other vet-approved deterrent sprays to furniture and areas your dog targets.
• Adjust the home environment by blocking access or protecting corners and loose fabrics.
• Remember to be consistent and patient with deterrents to reinforce the message positively.

7. Gradually Increase Your Dog’s Freedom

As your dog learns to behave, you can slowly expand their unsupervised area and duration:

• Begin by letting them out of confinement for short periods while supervised.
• Extend the time they spend alone gradually, never exceeding roughly four hours alone as a maximum.
• Trust your dog to roam freely only after they’ve demonstrated consistent good behaviour.

Additional Tips for Responsible Dog Ownership

Remember, every dog is unique, and patience and consistency are key. If your dog’s destructive behaviour persists, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or your vet to rule out any underlying anxieties or health issues.

When looking to acquire a dog, always seek reputable breeders or adoption centres to ensure you bring home a well-socialised and healthy pet.

By combining proper exercise, enrichment, training, and environmental management, you can protect your home and nurture a happy, well-adjusted dog.