Tearing the house apart

[Honeysfarm]

We have an 8 month old whippet x who is a fabulous dog and has been so easy to train, he really is excellent in every way however... he's recently (this week) started tearing the house up whenever he's left alone.
He's never left for more than an hour at a time and we've had him since he was 12 weeks old.
Two days ago he was left for about 45 minutes in the kitchen, where he always stays. I came home to him chewing the bottom of the cabinet and he'd ripped his bed to shreds. He had toys with him and plenty to eat and drink so I don't think it was a boredom thing. Today I popped to the shop and was gone less than 15 minutes and came home to the entire vinyl flooring ripped up.
I really don't want to crate him but equally I can't have him tearing the house apart! Nothing about his routine has changed, not his food, his exercise, nothing, so I don't understand why he's suddenly become so destructive. Any help or advice would be much appreciated...

 

[JudyN]

Could he be teething?

Do you think he is stressed about being left? Does he look anxious when you get ready to leave the house, and does he seem relieved and flustered when you come home? It can be helpful to make an audio or, ideally, video recording of what he does while you're out so you can tell if he's coping or not.

Is he crate trained? Crate training might be the answer, as he's not left for long, but you'd first need to make sure he liked his crate and saw it as a good place.

 

[JoanneF]

With any sudden change it is worthwhile getting a vet check. But I do have a few thoughts as well.

At 8 months he is at about the right age for his second fear period and something (a knock at the door? A delivery next door? A new noise or smell? Could be anything at all) has given him a scare.

Even though his routine hasn't changed, if you are celebrating Christmas and especially if there are children in the house he may have sensed the extra busy-ness that is going on and be slightly anxious.

I don't know the maturity stages of whippets specifically but his adult teeth may be settling in his jaw, which makes many dogs want to chew.

It does sound like it could be separation anxiety. If you are going to train him out of this (and separation anxiety is a terribly stressful thing for a dog) leave the room for literally a few seconds while his attention is on something else - to make your departure less obvious than if you were engaged in play with him. Aim to come back before he gets anxious. Build up very slowly. Expect this to take weeks and months, not just days. Also do things like put on your shoes, coat and keys, then don't actually go, so you are breaking the signals that trigger his fear of being left.

If you plan to crate train him, don't rush the crate, make it a fun place. Don't close the door until he is happy in there. Put a t shirt you have worn in the crate with his toys and bed. Only ever use the crate for good things, never punishment. If he cries you are going too fast. There are videos of crate games on YouTube that may help.

 

[JoanneF]

I was writing while you posted @JudyN - I think we get up at the same time!

 

[Honeysfarm]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I think it could be separation anxiety. Because he comes everywhere with us generally, he associates shoes/coats on with going out and sits at the door ready. He's then very disappointed when he's asked to go into the kitchen although never whines or shows any signs of distress. I guess too the fact we have three children and a very busy household coming up to Christmas is probably making him anxious.

Thank you so much for the great tips, I will work on them!

On the plus side, him ripping up the vinyl might mean hubby finally gets round to tiling the kitchen floor like I've been asking him to for years!!

 

[JoanneF]

I should also have said - you could try Adaptil. It comes in a spray (for blankets etc., not for directly on to the dog), a collar and a diffuser. It replicates the hormone a bitch has after having puppies and has a calming effect on dogs.

 

[JudyN]

Hurrah for the new floor!

Yes, whippets are very sensitive and can be prone to SA. If you are able to ensure that he's never left for the time being - at least over the bustle of Xmas - and work on the putting shoes & coats on and off, etc. plus leaving him in the kitchen for short periods (with something like a Kong to occupy him) while you are elsewhere in the house, that will pay off. Then work slowly: e.g. opening front door as if going out, then coming back in, then stepping outside and coming straight back in, and so on. Alternatively, he might be fine for a few minutes.

It'll help if he's tired and ready for a nap when you go out (though if he's too anxious he still won't sleep) - it would never occur to my dog to entertain himself, as far as he's concerned that's what OH and I are for!