Curb Your Pet’s Destructive Behavior

Your pet gets into everything – tears, yanks, pulls- basically destroying everything in and outside of the house. If you have ever had a puppy or kitten you know what I’m talking about. However, don’t fret some breeds are just more rambunctious than others eventually they will grow out of it once they get up in age. Unfortunately, in the meantime while they are sowing their wild, destructive oaks they are destroying your $2000 sofa or scratching ferociously at your antique grandfather clock given to you by your great grandmother. The good news is that pets are quick learners and there are a few tricks you can use to curb your pet’s destructive behavior.

The first thing you can do to help curb your pet’s destructive behavior is give them a pet toy to chew on or play with. Puppies need something to chew on to strengthen their teeth and older dogs may need something to amuse them. Dogs love chew toys, cats love things they can whack around, like a play mouse. Make sure they have enough of these types of toys and if they begin to favor one over others, make sure that toy is somewhere near. One thing pet owners tend to do is give their pet their shoes or piece of clothing to play with or chew on. This will make your pet think any shoe or piece of clothing is okay to play with. They’ll go from one shoe or piece of clothing to the next and never will play with their pet toys.

If you see them destroying your items, say NO! with a firm voice immediately. If you wait awhile or are inconstant with your discipline, your pet will not associated the punishment with the destructive behavior. Let your pet know it is not okay to chew on that particular item. For those who believe at times action is louder than words, a small tap on the nose will also deter them. The best way to curb your pet’s destructive behavior is to move or hide the items they are destroying. Of course, you can’t move or hide your couch, but you can cover it up with plastic to prevent your pet from destroying it. Another effective way to curb your pet’s destructive behavior when it comes to furniture is to attach a motion sensitive alarm on the furniture. Every time your pet hops on the furniture, an alarm will go off. Dogs are noise sensitive so this will definitely work. Cats will look around wondering where the noise is coming from, if the noise keeps going off every time they attack your furniture, the noise will distract them and hopefully send them away.

Along the same lines, you can buy a device that gives off an electrical jolt. These devices are available at pet stores and are perfectly harmless to your pet. It is a sure fire way to cut down even prevent your pet’s destructive behavior. You can also keep your pet confined to one part of the house with crates or something that will prevent them from snooping around the entire house. This is an easy way to curb your pet’s destructive behavior, plus it prevents your puppy or kitten from chewing or getting into items that are harmful to them, like electrical cords, household detergents, and coins that maybe lying around the house. Finally, seek advice from your vet on other things that may work to curb your pet’s destructive behavior. You will not be the only way that has sought this advice.