You are here:

Canine Behavior/dog chewing holes in walls

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/20/2008


Question
Hi! I have a 1 1/2 year old Rat Terrier. She is a sweet dog, except for the issue of her chewing holes in our kitchen walls when we're away. We have baby gates to keep her in the kitchen/laundry room while no one's home. When she first started chewing on the walls, we decided to install a dog door to allow her access to the back yard. That seemed to be the answer, but she has recently begun chewing on the walls again. I make every effort to keep appropriate chewing toys as well as some other fun favorites, but they don't prevent this behavior. We thought that her having the ability to go outside would help, but that was just a small break in the frustration. I don't want to get rid of her, but I can't continue to repair walls for her to tear them up again! Help!

Answer
At first glance, due to the fact that the dog door temporarily alleviated the behavior, this appears to be barrier frustration.  However, barrier frustration would also involve the door itself (the human door) and possibly the window, as well...not to mention the baby gates themselves.  I suspect your dog is responding to scent/sound inside the walls themselves, which might mean your home has other visitors (possibly living in the basement).  You might want to inspect the basement, under baseboards throughout the house, etc., for droppings.  If you see signs of vermin, be VERY CAREFUL what you use to exterminate them.  You absolutely CANNOT use poison of any kind; one might venture out and your dog will then be exposed to the poison, and it will kill her.

Do a thorough examination of your home.  You might try using one of those "mouse hotels", but put it FAR out of the reach of your dog!!  If you find a resident in your "hotel", that's the problem.  If not, repost and I will instruct you on how to create and condition safe negative reinforcers.  Meanwhile, leave a radio on in the room with your dog and, if you have an answering machine, put it in, or near, the kitchen and leave your dog several "messages" throughout the day.

Canine Behavior

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.