i really need help!! i have a 10month old alaskan malamute that is driving me to despair, he is destroying everything!!
whenever he is left he chews everything in sight, to try to avert this we have started leaving him in the yard when we go to work (the longest he is left is 5hrs!) to which he has responded by shredding our decking, and has even taken the corner off the shed!! i have tried everything i can think of to deter him i.e, chewstopper, rubbing chilli's on the wood, covering the woodwork in chicken wire nothing is stopping him. i have tried to crate him but he cries/screams so loud the neighbours complain.
after googling it it is pointing to either seriously naughty dog or separation anxiety (he has NEVER chewed anything when we are in the house). its also not boredom because he has loads of toys, bones, kong balls, he is walked daily.
is there any thing else anyone can suggest to stop him chewing?? or any ideas as to why he could be doing it even? i am considering a muzzle but not sure if he will just scream all day through it. i really dont want to rehome him but he is making my life miserable. people keep saying its a puppy phase but i am sure if thats the case he would chew through the night in the house and chew other things!?!?! HEEEEELLLLPPPPP!!:

I believe it is Seperation Anxiety.

When ever you go out, try stuffing a chew treat and small treats into the Kong and see if he goes to get the bits out. It will hopefully take his mind off you not being there and he will tire himself playing.

Try leaving an old T-shirt that you don't mind being ripped up with him as well. The smell of you may calm the dog.

That is what we did with Boris. He now just goes to sleep when we leave him on his own. It will take time and there will be days when he really doesn't want to leave you but if he knows that you come back then slowly he will get used to the alone time.

Hope that helps.

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Jonathan Beagle's Wine Musings

Do you know on average how much exercise he gets a day ( i know you said daily but i'm just wondering for how long?). Also is he left for 5 hours most days or just some?
Is it a new behaviour or has he done it since you got him, if it's new, can you think of anything at all that has changed in your life recently, even if it's just something in your day to day routine?
I think it needs to be looked at from the point of view of finding out the cause as opposed to preventing the symptoms, if that makes sense? If you can work out the route cause you can look at measures to avoid the behaviour occurring in the first place, whereas if you just stop the symptoms (i.e, coat the wood with something distasteful) then the problem is likely to find other outlets and could lead to other problem behaviours cropping up.
I really hope it gets sorted, sounds like you've been trying some good ideas (i.e kong balls, crate training) but hopefully if you can isolate the cause, you will really be able to sort the issue, good luck

Also, there is a sticky at the top of this forum specifically about separation anxiety which has loads of really good and very practical information and ideas in it, might be worth a read

At the age of 10mths he is entering adolescence, usually with Mals end of year one and year two it gets harder behavioural wise if anything. This is when you really need to step up training, they respond best as you probably know to fair but firm
kind handling. A Mal whos not trained (and he needs ongoing training too) will be a giant pain and even try to rule the roost.

I do disagree to a degree part is likely separation they are a social dog after all and companionship is very important to them they love people or a sound one should.
I also do think though there is a big element of boredom too. Although not as hyper as their cousins the siberian, they so tend to need short burts of activity or entertainment throughout the day too. A bored lonely one will find the devils work for his paws.

I would try walking him as late as you possibly can in the morning before you leave.
Dont know how long he has now at 10mths 50mins should be Ok bone growth wise at his age. If there is an enclosed safe area you can safely let him off a bit of a run too would be a good idea, in this time I would also do a bit of training with him even 10/15 minutes, a bit of mental exercise making him concentrate on things will help mentally wear him out. So if you can perhaps allow around 60 mins in all as late as possible. (If you dont already of course) a tired dog is more likely to settle.

Things that can help to give an illusion of company and not being alone is. A T-shirt or Jumper you have in his bed. (Providing of course he is a Mal who wont rip it up and eat it, some Inc, mine can be nightmares for injesting fabric) I would leave a radio on low on a talking station, the sound of voices can help. DAP Dog appeasin pheromones an artificial version that works like a plug in air freshener can help, chill them out a bit and take an anxious edges off Online Vet | Get Cheap Pet Medicine and Treatments Online From Vet-Medic - Vet-Medic is one place although you can get them at pets at home and vets although dearer.

Other then this Kongs which you can stuff with his food allowance and/or goodies should help See Dog & Cat Toys & Dog Treats - Pet Toys, Dog Chew Toys | KONG Company especially the section how to kong for filling ideas. Treat balls or toys you fill with kibble can help you set them to distribute pieces here and there as they play Buster Cube - Home see link for one type. A lot of dogs like stag Bars Pure Dog | Stagbar antler dog chews | natural dog treats | organic dog snacks | hypoallergenic dog chews | long-lasting dog chews | teeth cleaning dog chews | low fat dog treats they are usually quite safe to leave if you get the appropriate size one.

A Bored lonely malamute Im afraid will also vocalise and bark and whine and Whoo Hoo. If you take him out before leaving last thing, is it possible friends or family or even a dog walker can pop in half way through, and let him out, and maybe do a bit of ball throwing and play in the garden and give him a bit of company even for 20 mins or so half way through, that might make a big difference.

ETA Regarding your suggestion of a muzzle there is no way he can stay in a muzzle evey day for a minimum of 5 hours. Even a Baskeville. How will he drink when he is thirsty?? What happens if he vomits anytime he could choke on his own vomit.He also wouldnt be able to chew any toys of use anything you did leave as an entertainment either.

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How long does he get walked for each day?

Also, are you doing any ongoing training with him? Something that makes him use his brain?

I'm not experienced with this breed but I have a very lively Lab and I know that the only time he ever played up in this way was when he was bored....

Is there perhaps a friend or relative or even a dog walker who can pop in during those five hours, just to give your boy some company...?

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What everyone else said and...

Make sure he is exercised before he is left alone so that he is more inclined to rest. It's a pain if it doesn't fit into your schedule but it's really worth the effort. Add a training session to his early walk and tire him a bit mentally, too.

I find my dogs walk and work more eagerly in the morning and I'm not sure if that reflects my state of mind or theirs but they certainly settle well afterwards.

I'm NOT suggesting you "wear him out" or attempt to do that, he's still young. I'm just suggesting the majority of his normal exercise/training happens in the morning before he's left.

Hope it helps. The Mass Destruction approach to life is at its worst at this age and it does ease off with time.

I do disagree to a degree part is likely separation they are a social dog after all and companionship is very important to them they love people or a sound one should.

hello to everyone for the advice, i decided the best way to deal with his behaviour was to totally ignore it!!! it has been a couple of months and i dont know if it is age, the fact that i am ignoring him, but he seems to be calming down!! fingers crossed x x