Chewing!!

[Snappy]

I have had dogs for years and i think i know a lot about them until the other day i came home to find my dog had chewed her way through my house! She is coming up to 11 months and he chewing phase stopped ages ago. She is kept very stimulated both physically and mentally. I cant think what could be wrong other than a noise or something upset her? She is a very happy dog and i havent noticed a change in her behaviour! What is it?!

[Snappy]

I forgot to add that she is spayed and was done well before her first season

[RogerK]

Separation anxiety is a common cause, was she left alone? The theory is that as she's got older and more confident in her mind she's taken on the role of looking after you. When you go out she can't find you and goes out of her mind with worry that she's lost you while she's supposed to be looking after you. My first dog started doing this and when I looked a bit closer I noticed he started chewing the last place he saw me (the back door). I got home once to find he'd chewed his way out and was waiting for me in the garden! I solved the problem by getting another younger dog for him to look after (worked straight away) but I was planning to get another any how. You should be able to solve it by relieving her of her 'responsibility' - to do this you need to convince her that you are the 'alpha' dog. There's a really good book about this and other causes of behavioural problems in dogs called "The Dog Whisperer" - it changed the way I behaved around dogs completely.

[PurplePixie]

I think you could be onto something when you mention that it could have been a noise. Especially if it was one that went on & on & she wasn't sure what she was meant to do about it with you not there. My dog reacts in a weird way if a fly gets into the house, it's something about the tone of the buzzing that drives her potty & she has been known to do some quite out of character things like eat rugs!

[kwinston]

This is interesting. I have a nine year old (maybe he is ten...he was a pound puppy and I don't know is birthdate)who has recently starting chewing molding around the doors and windows. I am looking for another home for him where he can be around other people and pets. We live in a one bedroom apartment and I work Mon-Fri. It will break my heart to give him up but I think it might help him; if he can overcome our separation. I will purchase this book "The Dog Whisperer." Maybe there is something I haven't thought of... Best of luck with her, I hope everything turns out all right for you and your dog.