January 02, 2024

My 3 year old dog tears up packages around the house when we leave her alone, what do you suggest?

Full Question:
Hello Cindy. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who is reactive and you have helped me modify this behavior! Thank you. Now she (3 years old) has taken to tearing into packages around the house when left alone when we go out. It used to be about food but now she got into xmas ornaments. What do you suggest?

I have done the following courses: Leash reactivity; remote collar training and marker training. Thanks
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
Good morning,

I would say the best way to deal with this is to manage her. In other words, she's shown she will get into trouble when left alone so I would make sure she's contained in a location where she doesn't have access to continue this behavior. If I have a dog that destroys items when left alone I use a crate or some sort of gate or exercise pen to block the dog's access to items they shouldn't have.

Regardless of the dog's age, if they show behaviors that I don't want (destroying items, barking, potty accidents in the home, etc) they lose the privilege of freedom in the house unless someone is home to supervise.

We have an inexpensive management course, I've added the link here. https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/14

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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