Why Does My Dog Destroy Their Bed? Causes and Solutions

Some dogs keep their bed for years, while others destroy it within a few days of having it. Why do they do this? From giving it little nips and starting to tear at the corners, to literally destroying it completely.

If you're wondering "Why does my dog destroy their bed?", these are the most common causes behind this destructive behaviour. Remember, fixing the source of the problem will fix the behaviour — don't scold or punish your dog, since that won't work.

My Puppy Bites Their Bed

Puppies are known for their destructive behaviour and biting habits. Just as with babies, your puppy is getting to know the world, and one of their ways of doing this is through biting.

What's more, puppies experience pain during growth because of their teeth coming in and changing. So sometimes they simply bite to ease that pain. They also bite and destroy things as a way of releasing their energy, especially if they don't get enough exercise.

• Teething period in dogs

How Do I Stop My Puppy Biting Everything?

Get various chew toys — you can find these in pet shops, and they're ideal for helping them through this growth stage. What's more, give your puppy daily exercise, but even more importantly, arm yourself with patience. This is a normal stage, and if you manage the behaviour properly, it will stop happening once the dog grows up.

Why Does My Dog Destroy the Bed?

There are various reasons a dog destroys everything when left alone, whether it's their bed, cushions, the sofa and so on. We often think they're doing it to punish us for leaving them alone, but dogs don't experience emotions of that kind.

These are the main reasons behind destructive behaviour:

Separation Anxiety

This is a serious behavioural problem, and one of its consequences can be an obsession with destroying beds, one after another. A dog with separation anxiety experiences fear and anxiety when left alone, and destroys everything in their path trying to relax or get out of the house.

• How to fix separation anxiety

Lack of Stimulation

If you've been asking "why does my dog destroy their bed?", they might be bored. We're not talking about ordinary boredom here, but about a dog you're not giving stimulation options to for the hours they spend alone at home. Because of this, they look to entertain themselves with anything around them.

• Signs of boredom in dogs

Lack of Exercise

Are you one of those people who only take the dog out to relieve themselves? Big mistake — sooner or later, they'll start destroying their bed and everything else in the house. Your dog needs to burn off their energy running, playing and walking.

• How many walks does a dog need a day?

How to Stop Dogs Biting Their Bed?

Uncontrolled biting and destroying the bed are behaviours that can be fixed. The main thing is identifying what's triggering that reaction — only this way will you be able to tackle the problem at its root.

Bear the following advice in mind:

• Don't scold your dog when they destroy their bed or another object. Contrary to what we think, they're incapable of understanding what triggers your annoyance.
• Offer regular exercise. The amount depends a great deal on the breed, but generally daily or every-other-day outings of between half an hour and an hour are needed.
• Let your dog interact and play with other pets and different people.
• Offer environmental enrichment. If your dog's problem is down to boredom, get different toys and leave them within reach when you go out. Chew toys, intelligence games and a Kong for dogs are excellent options.
• Start a training process based on positive reinforcement.
• Teach your dog to stay home alone. Avoid overexciting them when you get home (getting emotional right as you come in), and help them overcome separation anxiety. Bear in mind that if the problem is very serious, you should see a dog trainer.

How to Train a Dog Not to Bite Their Bed?

Before seeing a professional, you can rely on positive reinforcement to stop your dog destroying their bed. The following steps will help you train puppies or adult dogs to use their bed without destroying it:

• Only let the dog use the bed under your supervision. During training, let them sleep on a soft blanket or a rug.
• Place the bed close to you and let the dog lie down on it. As soon as they try to chew it, say a firm "NO!" and take the bed away.
• Let 10 to 15 minutes pass and repeat the process. If your dog bites it, repeat the previous step; if, on the other hand, they lie down calmly, give them a reward and stroke them.
• If you combine this training with the advice above and manage to stop them biting the bed, congratulations! If your dog carries on with this behaviour, see a professional.