Expert: Angela Donald - 6/17/2010

Question
Destructive Boxer      

We have a 8 month old female fawn boxer, who is a delight to have.

She is perfect in every way. Both my husband and I work downtown and with travel time and work hours she is left alone for 10 hours during the day while we are at work.

We didn’t want to crate her for that long, so we puppy proofed a room for her and left her there……with her bed, blanket and toys.

She never really enjoyed it but she got use to it and we never had a problem with her in the room.

We came home last night after work and found she bit a hole though the dry wall and totally destroyed the wall……there was drywall all over the place.

We didn’t want to leave her in the room again today, for fear that she may destroy something else and possibly hurt herself,  so this morning we put her in the washroom, which is completely tiled, there's isn't much space for her to anything….

My question is, what can people do with a destructive boxer while they are at work. We would love to give her free range of the house, but after her stunt yesterday I can hardly see that happening for a while.

Help!

Answer
Hi Denise,

Sorry for the delay but I haven't been receiving my emails from allexperts for five days now. Yes I can help.
Her behavior is to be expected by being left alone for that length of time, your best bet is a dog sitter/dog walker to come in a couple times of day to interact with her or doggy daycare. Dogs are pack animals and cannot be left alone for that length of time without behavior problems occurring, she is bored and lonely. Did she tear the tile up in the washroom ??? If she didn't its a miracle. Crate train her with a Kong toy filled with peanut butter or cheese for her own safety and to keep her occupied for awhile. But do take me serious about the dog walker or doggy daycare or even have friends or family come in to walk her several times a day. You may need to visit the vet as the drywall will most likely cause her some digestive upsets and he can possible recommend a responsible dog walker /sitter. Is she housetrained ? She is definitely having a hard time holding it for that length of time as well and if she is this could lead to some medical issues so I don't advise it. Thank you so much for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com