AboutJannie Balliett Expertise I can answer any questions a Boxer owner might have concerning genetics, breeding, gestation, whelping, personality, character traits, health, needs and requirements, and family dynamics, including aggression and behavioral issues, and other pets in the household. I can help in training and aggression modification.
Experience
Experience in the area: I have owned, bred, and raised Boxers. Organizations: Boxerworld.net, Boxers Breeders Association, Boxer Rescue Austin Chapter,
Education/Credentials: Boxer owner, breeder, and trainer.
Question i have a boxer almost 8 months old, he has been eating the siding on the side of the house, we now have a doggie door in the backdoor that he made for us, he has chewed a hole in the screen door, he chews on the top of his dog house, we had to have him start sleeping in our room because if not he tears everything up. the only time he is left alone is while we are at work, when we get home he comes in the house with us, after dinner we take him for a walk every night. We take him to town with us when we can and it's not to hot outside. I've tried the bitter apple it didn't help, I spoke to our veterinarian and he said it's a training issue, but it only does it when we aren't around. Any help would be GREAT!! I can't have him eating on the house and I DON'T want to get rid of him. HELP!!!!!!
Answer Considering he is doing it only when you are gone signifies that it is definitely a "seperation anixiety" issue.
I am shocked that your vet did not explain this to you and offer tranquilizers for the dog.
What you are going to HAVE to do is this:
Leave him in the house and both of you tell him you will be back. Yes, tell him. In whatever wording is good for you.
Then leave for 5 minutes only. That is an eternity to a dog when seperated from his family.
Return in 5 minutes and love hima and praise him.
Later in the same day, (on a weekend) leave the same way, but for 8-10 minutes then return. Love and praise him. You can give him a special treat too so he will associate something good with leaving and returning.
Repeat this until you think you can leave for 15-20 minutes, returning and loving and praising him and give him a treat(s).
This should be done ASAP as often as possible on your days off, say Saturday AND Sunday all day long.
Yep, it's a job, but it will pay off when you leave him for work, telling him the exact same words you've been telling him, for instance, " We will be back soon. Be a good boy. Be back." etc.
He will soon associate your repeated words with you leaving AND RETURNING SOON and receiving love and attention and treats too.
Time will become irrelevant to him soon enough. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and hour, 8 hours for work.
The being a good boy while you are gone, knowing you WILL RETURN will stop his anxiety disorder that he has. The "seperation anxiety disorder."
Some dogs have it, some don't. Mine does too, and they will be destructive during that anxiety period due to freaking out, and a little of being rebellous for you leaving him.
Put yourself in his paws, at a baby age, and you'll understand his anxieties.
