Expert: Renee Cox - 9/17/2008

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
Hi. It's sounds like your boy may be experiencing seperation anxiety. If Boxers aren't around their people quite often, they can/do get distructive. When you are gone for short trips and at night, I suggest using a crate. These are very helpful training tools when used correctly. This will help your dog, and save your house. He's definitely old enough to be in one. You could use one during the day as well, if you could come home on a lunch break to let him out to run and potty, or if you can't, can have someone responsible to come over and give him short potty breaks. You can also get someone during the day to come over to play with him and let him get rid of all of that energy. My best advice would also to be to take him to a trainer or obedience classes. They would be better able to help your boy with whatever is going on with him. Good luck!