Help! Attack of the Sofa-Destroying Boxer!

[Suzanna828]

In a million ways, Jake is the perfect dog. The problem is that he has now destroyed TWO sofas. It started right after we adopted him. We have always gated him in the family room of our raised ranch. On Mondays (after a long weekend with Mommy & Daddy) and when I would come home and left again he would attack the down sofa. I would come home to a family room full of feathers. The sofa is now virtually ruined. We finally started putting a plank on it when we were gone, which merely incited him to start attacking our other sofa. I'm furious, and at my wit's end. We have to put huge pieces of scrap wood on the couches when we aren't home. It's such a pain! Crating really isn't an option, as he never has been crated and I feel it would be cruel to start now. Some people have mentioned those sprays for the couch, but I can't imagine those really work. Any other suggestions? Please help!

[JoAnn]

Sorry I don't think it would be cruel to start crating him now, for your sanity and expense, I would certainly give it a try, a 50 dollar crate compared to two sofas would be worth it to me. I crate both of mine when I am not home, I tried leaving them out once and came home to every potted plant destroyed it looked like it rained potting soil in my house, they even had the nerve to take the plants on the bed and chew them and leave them there. Crating is something for you to consider, could also become a saftey issue sometime for your sweet innocent baby too. I am not up on how to go about crating a dog once they have been given that freedom to roam, maybe someone else here has some experience in that department, sorry if I wasn't much help, and I am also sorry about your sofas, Boxers sometimes you want to strangle them, but those little mushy faces somehow make things all right.

[karens]

Yikes, I wish I had some advice for you. Knock on wood, hasn't happend here. I knew a couple whos Boxers ripped apart their couch, but unfortunately I have no way to contact them. This is merely a sympathy post!

[LoPLoP]

Yes I would crate your dog...I think it will sink in if he can relate the bad behavior to his freedom he will stop. I am proud of 2 new couches I bought (italian leather) and shudder to think if max decided to eat one..for his sake I hope that never happens. I dont even let people eat or drink on my couches...and max has never been on any couch. I made sure since he was a puppy he understood the couches are people territory and he is off limits. My son even understands this and when he is looking for an escape from Max he retreats to the couch...leaving Max with a no fair im not allowed up there look.

KJ good luck

Siddartha never actually saw a crate until a few months ago(he turns 2 on Monday). I never needed one for him until then, as he was nearly always with me, but I guess he had a (very) late adolescence. He's trustworthy again now, but for a few months he had to be crated unless supervised.
We never had any problems with adjusting him to the crate, I just stuck him in there and he was fine. It was much harder to get my puppy to accept it. He howled like a banshee the first several times!
If you are really not comfortable with a crate, perhaps you have a room in which your dog can be enclosed, that doesn't contain quite such valuable and tempting items?

[Linda]

It is NEVER too late to start crate training!!!

I think that's your only option--other than round-the-clock supervision.

Think of how much easier it will be, and less expensive than replacing furniture!

But I do not think you should use the crate as punishment. Look up some other threads on crate training and get one ASAP!

It will also be safer for him. What if he decides to start chewing electrical cords or something that will hurt him?

Another thing I've heard people do is to use a chair mat (the kind with the little spikes on the bottom) on the sofa. Put it upside down, so the spikes stick up. But it sounds like the problem is not with him getting on the sofa, but with him CHEWING on the sofa.

Also, be sure he has LOTS of good chew toys to keep him busy.

GOOD LUCK!

[wendy]

One thing that worked for us and others we know is to put mouse traps in various places across the sofa. Sounds mean but it isn't. They scare the dog when they set them off. After a while, you can set the traps on the couch without setting them. The dog won't know if they are set or not, they will just stay away. They are cheap too!

[Jan]

Jake is not too old to learn to be crated. His sofa destructions could be the result of separation anxiety and he may feel more secure in a crate. I would get him a extra large size crate and introduce him to it gradually. You may find that he doesn't mind it at all. It would certainly be a lot cheaper that having to repeatedly replace your sofa's.

[tedjax]

Jake is definately suffering from separataion anxiety. You say he was adopted but at what age?? He probably has issues with being left alone. A crate is the perfect choice for you. However, never use it as a punishment. Jake should be taught to understand that the crate is "his" safe place. Make it comfy and give him treats in it - make it a very desirable place. Good luck and give Jake a big hug - he's just being a boxer!!!

My humble opinion is this......stop now! Do not pass go...head straight to the pet supply store and get a crate! Dogs need the security it offers and bet you'll be happier and your dog will too!!