I got megan-lucy about 5 weeks ago from a rescue, she is a 12-18 month old staffordshire bull terrier. For the first 2 weeks she was just perfect, absolutely no accidents in the house at all, no chewing etc., then I came home one day after being out ( She is only left for about an hour) and there was absolute carnage, I let her have the run of the house at this point as she was so good. She had managed to chew through a brand new telephone answer machine complete with phone, pairs of shoes, sofa bed, tv remote control, a mat, a rug and a wicker basket. I was totally shocked at this as she had displayed absolutely none of this behaviour at all. I then shut all the bedroom doors, so bedrooms were out of bounds, I came home to find that she had somehow managed to get into my bedroom, absolute carnage in there then. This morning was the last straw, I just shut her in the kitchen (she does have toys and filled kongs, but is not in the slightest bit interested in these when I am out of the house). Came home and she had somehow??? managed to get into the lounge, 2 sofa cushions chewed to bits, my handbag complete with purse all chewed to bits, cheque book, too many other numerous items in my handbag to mention, all chewed up. My lounge looked like a war zone.

Any suggestions as to why you think she is doing this and what I can do would be so appreciated as I really have had enough now, Do you think getting a crate would help?? I cant see her ever getting in that though,also I think it would have to be a pretty strong one.

Thank you.

I would get a crate. But you have to think - she is still new to everything, she may be a little stressed. And I would never let a new dog have the run of the home. Mine get it now but they are trustworthy and all the rooms in my house are too small to shut all 3 together in without them treading on each others toes.

Introduce her to a crate slowly with food and for short bursts, put a kong in there with frozen filling, it will take longer to get out..

Either get a crate or a gate so you can shut the dog in an area where there will be less damage but I think you will have to be prepared for a bit of a mess for a while. The dog may have been allowed to do this before and this is maybe why it was in rescue.

I'm not a qualified anything ok but my guess is if your dog has been a joy in your company and wrecks the house only when you are out this might be separation anxiety. There is a sticky thread on separation anxiety which may help.

I had a dog that had "lost" her owners, she had been abandoned, and for a long time she stuck like glue to us as if terrified in case we also got "lost". Her way to deal with being left for an hour at first was to chew my familiar smelling socks until she realised that socks were not on the menu and we always came home. We left her for only a few minutes and praised good behaviour and built it up to longer periods but the sticky thread will tell you more how to tackle her training if you think this may be the cause of the bedlam.

Your dog has huge separation anxiety, hence why she wont eat (kong),and wrecks stuff because she is stressed.

Crate train her.
Try not to have her with you constantly when you are home, leave her in one room for 5 mins, go back get her, an hour later repeat....... increase the time.

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Personally as a staffy owner. Don't crate her. They tend to get wound up like a cooled spring and I can't see how it will help AT ALL. Sorry for those who are pro crate. But that's my standpoint on it.

Desensitise her to being left keep going in and out of the room. Stay out for a few mins and go back in. Don't make a fuss of her just carry in with what your doing . And increase the periods of time.

I also use a kong pyramid for Rips. Fill it with some of her food and it gives her something to play with and focus on. Also try things like leaving the radio on.

A baby Gate may be an idea.BUT mine can launch herself over it without a second thought.

Also how much excercise does she get and what are you feeding her on??

Thanks zoej82. I didnt really want to go down the crate road to be honest, as like you I thought she would go crazy when I let her out of it!!! but I am just running out of options for her. I will definitely try what you suggested. I do leave the radio on for her, but that doesnt seem to have any effect either unfortunately. This morning when I left her for about 20 minutes (was dreading coming home!!) I let her have the run of the Kitchen,hall, stairs and landing (she just seemed to go crazy when I just shut her in the kitchen yesterday) and I left her with a MASSIVE rawhide bone, wouldnt usually do this but the chew was new and I Knew that it would take her a good hour to start ripping bits off and I'd be beack by then. The chew hadnt been touched but she just sitting at the top of the stairs, NO carnage anywhere, which was great but a bit strange.

On a typical day she will have 3 walks one for about half an hour in the morning, then one late afternoon about an hour and half then one half hour before bed. She is fed on, at the moment, James Wellbeloved.

Oh and yes I have tried the babygate but she just LEAPS straight over it!!!!

You do need to restrict her movement. Rescue dogs unfortunately frequently suffer from separation anxiety and staffies bless them are also prone to it.

Try the following:

Take her for a good walk at least twice a day for at least an hour each time
Give her a crate - but don't necessarily shut the door - just a safe place that is hers. Try feeding her dinner in there so its a nice place. You could put a blanket over it to make it more relaxing
try a DAP diffuser - sometimes they work.
Work on building on the time you leave her, i.e. in the house, don't let her have access to you or anyone else all the time. See how she copes with this. If this is ok move onto next step. If not message me and I will help you through this bit. (k9dts@hotmail.com)
If ok with last stage, pop out for a few minutes when you leave and return do not make a big fuss of her. 10 minute rule. 10 mins after she has calmed down call her to you for a cuddle - nice and calm mind! No contact during that 10 minutes, which means no touching, talking (even telling ger off) or eye contact.
Gradually build up time.

Does this all help? Please message if you need extra help

Shaz

Sounds like she's bored being alone.

Time release food puzzle games? (will only be of interest if the dog is not full up)

Is the dog getting a long enough walk before being left alone?

Doggie day care for part of the week?