Why does my dog destroy every bed I put in her crate or kennel?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Buddy. This is a million dollar question. I have experienced it with my dogs and I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. Some dogs are just very destructive when it comes to toys, beds, and other items in the house. Maybe it's just boredom, lack of environmental enrichment, etc. I would advise more walks, more exercise, etc to see if the behavior continues. Good luck

Unfortunately some dogs enjoy destroying things like foam beds. It may be a remnant of behavior in the wild, such as tearing feathers or fur off a dead animal. If your dog only does it while you are gone for long periods it could also be related to separation anxiety (some dogs will exhibit their stress/anxiety by being destructive). You can talk to your vet about trying a trial of medication for separation anxiety if you are interested. You can read more about that condition at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Shesh has moderate to severe separation anxiety. This is sometimes made worse in a kennel, though for many dogs the kennel makes it better. I recommend talking to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication for him. I notice he is 25 lbs so I’m assuming he is not yet full grown. For a puppy, one of the most important things you can do for anxiety and decreasing destruction is exercise and training. A husky puppy needs about 1-2 HOURS of hard play or running per day. Spending 10-15 minutes per day on training (tricks, etc) also prevents boredom, tires them out, and decreases destructive behavior. Best wishes to you and Shesh.

Digging in bed is a natural instinct and not a sign of misbehavior. In the wild, dogs have the instinct to hide in comfortable, protected areas when they sleep. You could try to redirect the behavior when you see her digging in her bed or try to find an indestructible dog bed that she can't put holes in it when she digs. Maybe also put blankets over her bed that she is allowed to dig in to satisfy her natural instinct of digging.

Puppies are notorious for destructive behavior. Most dogs will outgrow this by 2 years of age but not all do. Additionally, this behavior is not only destructive but it can lead to ingesting toxin substances and intestinal foreign bodies which are fatal without treatment. Addy needs to be crated any time you are not physically watching her. It's safer that way. Here are two helpful links: https://www.petcoach.co/article/chewing-in-puppies-how-to-control-it/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-crate-train-your-puppy-or-older-dog/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Chewing is very normal for puppies but if he eats his bed, he could end up with an intestinal blockage which requires surgery or it could be fatal. Here is a link about chewing: https://www.petcoach.co/article/chewing-in-puppies-how-to-control-it/ Some puppies will chew no matter what, although it sounds mean, for those puppies, I recommend to remove the bed completely if they keep shedding it. Some puppies can have it at night. Some can't. Some beds are also more chew resistant than others. I hope this helps.

If your dog is whining or "digging" at bedding, it may be that she is attempting to nest with her favorite toys. Dogs that are unspayed may be showing signs at the beginning of a heat cycle (displaying nesting behavior to get things ready for puppies), however spayed dogs may also have this behavior just as a comforting factor. Digging helps create a nice soft bed, and bringing a toy means having something to cuddle! It may also be that your dog is feeling a little distressed or bored, especially if the behavior happens when you are doing something else (such as focused on another task, or out of the home). If this is the case, providing a nice place for your dog to rest (such as a big bed or a kennel) may help. Providing toys that also distract such as ones filled with treats or puzzles can also help with anxiety. Leaving behind a shirt or object that smells like you in the bed may also help to comfort your dog if she is anxious. If you are concerned about your dog's behavior and do not think it is related to anxiety or normal doggie behavior, it is always a good idea to make an appointment with your local vet. Your vet can perform a complete examination and rule out any signs of illness or pain to make sure everything is OK.