What should I do if my dog refuses to change its behavior despite repeated warnings

When we drag our tired bodies home and open the door, we see a mess all over the place: the sofa is scratched full of holes, the slippers are in pieces, and the toilet paper is scattered on the floor. The culprit - our beloved dog - either hangs its head and dodges our gaze, or wags its tail excitedly, completely unaware of the big trouble it has caused. At that moment, anger, helplessness, and distress are all mixed together, and we are full of doubts: why does the dog always destroy the house, and it doesn't change its behavior even after being taught? In fact, there are complex reasons behind the dog's behavior of destroying the house. To solve this problem, we need both professional knowledge of behavior and our full understanding and patience towards the dog.

From the perspective of the dog's nature, the root of the behavior of destroying the house can be traced back to its ancestors. In the wild, canines need to obtain food and build nests through behaviors such as biting and digging, and this instinct still exists in domesticated dogs. Especially for some working dogs and hounds, such as Huskies and Border Collies, they are full of energy and have a strong desire to explore and bite. If they don't get enough exercise, their excess energy has nowhere to be released, and they will vent by destroying the house. Imagine a dog that is cooped up in a small space and lacks exercise every day. Its inner self is like a volcano that may erupt at any time, and the behavior of destroying the house is the way it releases stress and energy. Watching the dog "damage things" because it has no way to release its energy, while we are angry, we feel more distressed and regret not giving it enough space for activities and companionship.

In addition to its nature, the dog may also destroy the house because its psychological needs are not met. Dogs are social animals and have a strong sense of dependence on their owners. When the owner goes out for a long time and leaves them at home alone, loneliness and anxiety will make them seek attention by destroying the house. Some dogs may also have excessive destructive behavior after the owner leaves due to separation anxiety. They bite furniture and clothes with their teeth, actually trying to find the owner's scent and relieve their inner uneasiness in this way. When we see the dog making a mess of the house after we leave, when we calm down and think about it, perhaps it just misses us so much and wants to call for our companionship in this way, and the anger is instantly replaced by guilt.

Some dogs destroy the house because they lack correct behavior guidance and training. In the puppy stage, if they are not taught in time which things they can bite and which they can't, dogs will bite at will according to their instincts. And when the owner discovers this and uses wrong punishment methods such as beating and scolding, it not only fails to correct the behavior but also makes the dog feel fearful. Or because of the owner's intense reaction, the dog may mistakenly think that destroying the house can get attention, and then it will go to greater lengths. Every time the dog's behavior of destroying the house becomes more serious due to wrong educational methods, we feel deeply self-blaming, and we desperately hope to find the right way to let it understand what it can and cannot do.

When faced with the situation where the dog keeps destroying the house despite being taught, we should first adjust our mindset and stop ineffective punishment. Beating and scolding will only make the dog feel scared and confused, and even damage the trust relationship between the owner and the dog. We need to calm down and solve the problem with a peaceful attitude. Then, according to the reason why the dog destroys the house, take targeted measures.

For dogs with excessive energy, increasing the amount of exercise is the key. Ensure at least 1 to 2 hours of outdoor activities every day. We can take the dog for a walk, run, or play with a frisbee, allowing them to fully release their energy. When the dog's physical strength is consumed, it will naturally not have the energy to destroy the house when it gets home. Watching the dog run freely outdoors and enjoy the joy of exercise, no matter how tired we are, it is all worthwhile. At the same time, we can also provide the dog with some puzzle toys, such as treat-dispensing balls and sniffing mats. These toys can make the dog think while playing, not only consuming its energy but also satisfying its desire to explore. When the dog focuses on playing with toys instead of paying attention to furniture and items, we can feel its change and see the hope of solving the problem of destroying the house.

If the dog destroys the house because its psychological needs are not met, the owner should give more companionship and comfort. Before leaving home, we can leave some clothes with our own scent for the dog, or turn on the radio or TV to make some noise at home to relieve its loneliness. We can also train the dog to gradually adapt to the owner's departure. Start by leaving for a few minutes and gradually extend the time. Give rewards and praise every time we get home, so that the dog understands that the owner will come back after leaving and there is no need to feel anxious. When we see that the dog doesn't destroy the house out of anxiety after we leave but waits for us to come back quietly, our hearts are filled with relief, knowing that our efforts have paid off.

For dogs that lack correct guidance, systematic training is needed. We can prepare some toys specifically for the dog to bite, such as rubber chew toys and molar sticks. When we find that the dog shows signs of biting the furniture, we should use the toys to divert its attention in time and give rewards. At the same time, clearly define the dog's activity area and use fences or gates to limit its range of activities to avoid it coming into contact with items that are easy to be damaged. During the training process, we should be patient. Every time the dog behaves correctly, we should give it food rewards, strokes, and praise to strengthen its good behavior. Watching the dog gradually learn to control its behavior and no longer destroy the house casually under our training, we deeply realize that as long as we use the right method, the dog will surely become a sensible and good pet.

The dog's behavior of destroying the house despite being taught is indeed a headache. However, as long as we understand the reasons behind its behavior, guide and train it with scientific methods, and give it enough love and patience, we will definitely be able to help it get rid of this bad habit. Every attempt and every persistence are filled with our deep love for the dog. One day, when we get home and see a tidy room and the dog wagging its tail happily to welcome us, all our efforts will turn into full happiness and satisfaction. Because in our hearts, the dog's health and happiness are much more important than the damaged items, and it is worth our while to carefully protect every moment of its growth.