Why does my dog destroy beds? What's the best bed for a senior dog?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. Dogs will shred beds for several reasons. The first is from anxiety from being crated. This can be accompanied drooling, pacing and urination/defecation in the kennel. Next, dogs can rip up a bed out of boredom. Other dogs are destructive by nature and have a high desire to chew. The bed will satisfy this desire. It will likely be best not to leave a bed in the kennel. I hope this information helps!

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

Unfortunately this is a very difficult habit to break in a multi dog household where chew toys and puzzle feeders cannot be given to occupy their natural instinct to chew and play. Increasing exercise levels and feeding a higher fiber, lower protein food can help with some destructive behaviours but I would look at using less destructible bedding - solid plastic tub beds with cotton or fleece (not filled/padded beds) are less enticing to chew and destroy

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.

I certainly understand and sympathize with your situation. I have one younger dog that is much too high energy. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me, but I would try to figure out anything that has triggered Grizzley's new behavior. When an 8 year old dog has sudden behavioral changes, it is worth going to your veterinarian for an exam and blood work just to make sure nothing is wrong. And if Grizzley is going to risk hurting himself, be sure to keep him in a crate when he is not supervised. As far as keeping Grizzley occupied, one thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. And keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps my dog busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-toys/interactive-dog-toys/dog-puzzle-toys-and-games I have not tried the Clever Pet yet, but it is an electronic interactive toy that I am intrigued about. https://clever.pet So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While this can be frustrating, it can be a sign of boredom. I recommend getting Prince some toys to occupy his time. You may want to look into getting toys that are a little more rugged so that he does not chew through them as quickly. I would keep an eye on Prince in case he is ingesting some of the cloth or stuffing, as this can cause an obstruction.

This sounds like territorial behavior. Dogs are naturally driven to mark their territory. You’re probably aware that dogs urinate on objects to claim them as their own, but that isn’t the only way to mark territory. Dogs have glands in their paws that leave a distinctive scent on bedding or other objects whenever they scratch. Both male and female dogs can do this. Dogs are more likely to return to a bedding spot if they already feel it’s theirs. This may be why scratching behaviors sometimes begin or intensify when a new pet or person has moved into the house, or there has been another type of major change in the household. Since this is a new dog to your house she is likely marking her territory. I see that listed her as not spayed. If she is pregnant and getting ready to have her puppies she may do this behavior as well. I sure hope she is not pregnant at 13 years of age! Hope this helps. Best wishes.