10 Training Techniques to Stop Dog Destructive Behavior

Your couch looks like it lost a fight with a chainsaw. Your favorite shoes? Slobbery confetti.

And that hole in your backyard is deep enough to qualify as an archaeological dig site.

If you're dealing with a dog who destroys everything they touch, you're probably oscillating between frustration and guilt. The good news: this is almost always fixable.

The bad news? It requires actual effort on your part, not just yelling "NO!" louder.

This guide covers 10 training techniques that actually work to stop destructive dog behavior, no dominance theory BS, no shock collars, just practical methods that address why your dog is doing this in the first place.

Why Your Dog Is Destroying Your Stuff

Dogs aren't destructive because they hate you or want revenge for leaving them home alone. They're meeting a need you're not addressing.

Understanding the "why" makes fixing the problem way easier.

Common Reasons Dogs Wreck Your House

• Separation anxiety - They panic when you leave and destroy things to cope with stress
• Boredom - Not enough mental or physical stimulation, so they create their own entertainment
• Teething - Puppies chew to relieve pain (this phase sucks but it's temporary)
• Under-exercising - Pent-up energy has to go somewhere, might as well be your baseboards
• Lack of training - They literally don't know the rules because no one taught them
• Attention-seeking - Destructive behavior gets reactions, even negative ones
• Fear or stress - Thunderstorms, fireworks, new environments trigger panic responses

Figure out which of these applies to your dog before you start throwing solutions at the wall.

Quick Comparison: Match the Problem to the Solution

10 Training Techniques That Actually Stop Destructive Behavior

1. Exercise Your Dog Like You Mean It

A tired dog doesn't have the energy to destroy your house. Simple as that.

Most destructive behavior comes down to one thing: not enough physical activity.

Some breeds, Border Collies, Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Labs, have insane exercise requirements. A 15-minute walk around the block isn't cutting it.

Minimum exercise requirements:

• Small breeds: 30-45 minutes daily (yes, even Chihuahuas)
• Medium to large breeds: 60-120 minutes daily
• High-energy working breeds: 90+ minutes minimum, ideally more

Exercise ideas that also tire their brain:

• Structured leash walks with training practice
• Fetch or tug sessions until they're actually tired
• Off-leash running in secure dog parks
• Hiking, swimming, or agility courses

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, proper exercise reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and directly lowers destructive behaviors.

If your dog is destroying things and you're only walking them 20 minutes a day, start here.

2. Give Them Something to Think About

Physical exercise isn't enough. Dogs need mental stimulation or they'll get bored and create their own entertainment.

Spoiler: their entertainment usually involves destroying your belongings.

Mental enrichment activities:

• Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys
• Snuffle mats (hide kibble in the fabric folds)
• DIY treat hide-and-seek around the house
• Training new tricks (even stupid ones)
• Interactive toys that require problem-solving

Rotate toys weekly so they don't get bored with the same stuff. A mentally tired dog is way less likely to chew your furniture.

Fifteen minutes of mental enrichment can tire a dog as much as 30 minutes of physical exercise.

3. Crate Train Without Screwing It Up

A properly introduced crate becomes your dog's safe space and prevents destruction when you're not supervising.

An improperly used crate becomes a prison that increases anxiety. Don't be that person.

How to crate train correctly:

1. Get a crate big enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably
2. Make it cozy with bedding and safe chew toys
3. Feed all meals inside the crate to create positive associations
4. Leave the door open at first so they explore voluntarily
5. Start with 5-10 minute sessions, gradually increase duration

Never use the crate as punishment. And don't crate dogs longer than 4-6 hours during the day (puppies need even shorter periods).

4. Redirect Chewing to Legal Targets

Dogs need to chew. It's hardwired into them.

Your job isn't to stop chewing, it's to teach them what's acceptable to chew and what's off-limits.

Best chew toys that actually hold up:

• KONG Classic - freeze it with peanut butter for extended chewing
• Benebone Wishbones - for power chewers who destroy everything else
• Nylabone chews - good for teething puppies

How to redirect effectively:

• Catch them in the act and immediately offer the appropriate toy
• Reward with praise and treats when they chew the right thing
• Keep multiple approved chew toys in every room
• Don't leave them unsupervised with tempting items until they're trained

The ASPCA recommends redirection over punishment for chewing issues because punishment just confuses dogs, they don't understand why chewing is okay sometimes but not others.

5. Teach "Leave It" and "Drop It" Commands

These two commands are game-changers for preventing destruction. They teach impulse control and give you an "emergency brake" when your dog grabs something they shouldn't.

Training "Leave It":

1. Hold a treat in your closed fist and say "Leave it"
2. Wait for your dog to stop sniffing/pawing at your hand
3. The second they back off, say "Yes!" and reward from your other hand
4. Gradually work up to items on the floor with longer wait times

Training "Drop It":

1. Let your dog hold a toy in their mouth
2. Say "Drop it" and offer a high-value treat
3. When they spit out the toy, immediately praise and treat
4. Practice with different items until it's reliable

These commands can literally save your dog's life if they pick up something toxic or dangerous.

6. Fix Separation Anxiety Before It Gets Worse

If your dog only destroys things when you're gone, you're dealing with separation anxiety, not general destructiveness.

This requires a different approach.

Signs you're dealing with separation anxiety:

• Destruction happens within 10-30 minutes of you leaving
• They target doors, windows, or exit points
• Excessive barking, pacing, or drooling when alone
• Potty accidents from a fully house-trained dog

How to train independence:

1. Start with absurdly short absences (1-5 minutes)
2. Leave without drama, no big goodbye routines
3. Give a stuffed KONG or LickiMat right before you go
4. Gradually increase time away as they stay calm
5. Return before they start panicking

Severe separation anxiety needs professional help. Consider consulting a veterinary behaviorist if your dog is destroying doors or injuring themselves.

7. Make Them Work for Their Food

Stop serving meals in a bowl like a buffet. Make your dog work for their food.

This mimics natural foraging behavior and tires them out mentally, reducing boredom-driven destruction.

Food-dispensing alternatives:

• Stuffed KONGs (freeze them for longer entertainment)
• Puzzle feeders with varying difficulty levels
• Snuffle mats for scattering dry kibble
• DIY cardboard box treat puzzles

When meals take 15-20 minutes instead of 30 seconds, dogs feel more satisfied and less likely to destroy things out of boredom.

8. Dog-Proof Your House Like You Have a Toddler

While you're training, limit their access to temptation. Prevention is easier than fixing bad habits after they're established.

Management strategies:

• Use baby gates to block off rooms with vulnerable items
• Keep shoes, cables, and trash completely inaccessible
• Put away anything that resembles a dog toy
• Spray furniture legs with bitter deterrent like Grannick's Bitter Apple
• Close closet and bedroom doors

Every time your dog successfully chews something inappropriate, you're reinforcing the behavior. Don't give them the opportunity.

9. Use Technology to Monitor and Interrupt

Can't supervise your dog 24/7? Technology can help fill the gaps.

Useful monitoring and engagement tools:

• Furbo Dog Camera - talk to your dog and toss treats remotely when you catch good behavior
• Petcube - video monitoring with two-way audio
• Wickedbone Smart Toy - self-moving interactive toy for solo play

Tech isn't a substitute for training, but it helps you catch and redirect problems in real-time.

RELATED: 5 best AI Pet Cameras with Treat Dispensers

10. Hire a Professional If You're In Over Your Head

If you've tried everything and your dog is still destroying your house, or the behavior is escalating, it's time for professional help.

What to look for in a trainer:

• Uses positive reinforcement techniques (no shock collars, prong collars, or "dominance" BS)
• Certified by CCPDT, APDT, or KPA
• Offers behavior consultations, not just basic obedience
• Has experience with your specific issue (separation anxiety, fear-based destruction, etc.)

For severe cases, seek a veterinary behaviorist, an actual veterinarian with specialized behavior training.

Don't wait until your dog has destroyed thousands of dollars worth of stuff or injured themselves.

Final Reality Check

Your dog isn't "bad" or "spiteful." They're communicating that something's wrong, usually boredom, anxiety, or lack of training.

Punishment doesn't work because it doesn't teach your dog what TO do instead.

These 10 techniques address the root causes of destructive behavior through exercise, mental enrichment, training, and management. Use them consistently for 2-4 weeks and you'll see results.

Real behavior change takes time. If you're expecting instant results, you're going to be disappointed.

But if you commit to meeting your dog's actual needs, physical exercise, mental stimulation, clear boundaries, and appropriate outlets for natural behaviors, the destruction will stop.

Start today. Your furniture will thank you.