It's hard to describe to non-dog owners the potential of destruction a dog has. One example I always like to show my friends is the Marley & Me movie. People think the dog's shenanigans in that film are an exaggeration for comedic effect. But once you have such a dog yourself, you know it's not fiction. It's reality.
Dogs are going to bark, howl, chew and eat things you didn't know could be eaten. Just look at this collection of pictures we here at Bored Panda have picked out for you. These doggies ripped through paper, furniture, and even walls to get their point across. What was that point? Maybe "I do it 'cause I can"?...
#1 We Completed A New Puzzle, But Our Puppy Managed To Snag A Piece And Destroy It, So We Had To Improvise
Image credits: boyinawell
#2 Dog Dragged The Sprinkler Inside
Image credits: Radiowarsaw
#3 My Cousin Said Brownie Is A Well-Behaved Dog. I Came Home To This, And I Can't Stop Laughing
Image credits: DogsTrippingOnAcid
Destructive behavior in dogs is one of the most common problems for owners. Of course, puppies are the most prone to this because they've had no training yet. Sometimes pups start chewing up the furniture even if they have tons of toys lying around.
So where does this problem come from? The American Kennel Club writes that if the dog can reach a thing, to them that means it's on offer. Especially if that thing has the owner's scent to it. The problem is especially common with puppies because they might be teething. Chewing alleviates the gum pain, but that's what puppy toys are for.
#4 Tell Me How My Dog Chewed Everything She Could Find In My Room But The Only Thing She Didn't Chew Was Her Obedience School Certificate
Image credits: WaiteLindsay
#5 And They Say Money Can't Buy Happiness. Look At That Smile
Image credits: JacobLevenson
#6 Sorry Class, My Dog Ate Everyone's Homework
Image credits: paulathekoala95
If your pup is engaging in destructive behavior, it's very important to understand why. Some people think that they might be doing this out of spite or revenge. But dogs don't operate like humans do. The MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) writes that this is how dogs relieve anxiety and let out excess energy.
They can also start tearing things apart because of boredom. If an adult dog lacks exercise, mental stimulation or training, they might start chewing everything around them. There's also separation anxiety and fear, for which the underlying reasons can be more complicated – genetics, phobias or traumatic experiences.
#7 Well, That Didn't Work
I would definitely be asking for a refund on this!
Image credits: DanGarBruce
#8 When You’re In The Middle Of Your Crime Scene, Pretend You’re A Victim. I Think It’s Hilarious, Although I Wouldn’t Want To Be The One Who Had To Clean It Up
Image credits: AlexandraLSmit2
#9 Roscoe Took Christmas Decoration Duty Into His Own Hands (Paws) Last Night
Image credits: franklegsTV
Separation anxiety can be very common in dogs obtained from shelters or found on the street. Dogs from shelters can exhibit other signs of separation anxiety. That includes following the owner around, always frantically greeting them and being anxious when the owner prepares to leave the house.
It's crucial to understand that if these are the causes of your dog's destructive behavior, punishment will not help. It will only have a negative effect.
#10 Dad, I’m Not Really Sure How To Say This But... I Screwed Up. I’m Sorry
Image credits: ssBROhan2
#11 I Left A Platter Of Cookies On The Stove And My Dog Decided If He Couldn't Have The Cookies, No One Could
He jumped up on the stove trying to get the cookies and ignited 2 of the burners.
Image credits: Physical_Month_548
#12 I'm At Work Right Now, And I Decided To Check Up On My Puppy On My New Home Security Camera. All I Can Do Is Watch
Image credits: SomeChickkkk
The AKC suggests puppy-proofing your room or home to avoid finding your furniture in shambles. Just like we do with toddlers – either a dog crate or a puppy-gated room would work. If you don't have enough space, put valuable things out of reach.
#13 My Friend's Dog Thought The Foot On My Prosthesis Was A Chew Toy
Image credits: stalnoypirat
#14 My Brother Did Something Very Brave Today And Saved His Hoomans From Exploding Couches
Image credits: howaboutsomecake
#15 It's Going To Be A Rough 24 Hours For Both Of Us
Image credits: grumpheartjenny
I can share a more personal tale here as well. One day after coming home to find my room destroyed – wallpaper ripped from the walls, bed corners chewed up – I decided to dog-proof my room as well. Nothing on the desk, nothing on the windowsills – nothing. And while it made my room quite minimalistic in decor, it actually worked.
#16 Mother’s Friend Came Home To See Her Dog Had Some Fun With The New Camper
Image credits: RumbleDumblee
#17 Went Downstairs For Five Minutes
Image credits: Grammajean33
#18 Dog Decided To Bust Through My Bedroom Door Like The Kool-Aid Man While I Was At Work
Image credits: AtticusVoid
What else can you do? First, let's address the lack of physical stimulation. Jason Purgason of Highland Canine Training writes that a tired dog is a happy dog. "If a dog is tired, they will have a reduced urge to destroy things and spend their time at home resting and relaxing instead."
#19 Forget The Excuse Of Your Dog Eating Your Homework. My Dog Ate My PhD
Image credits: KLJones_Science
#20 My Dog Ate All Of My Games Yesterday While I Was Gone. Including My Copy Of Doom Signed By The Entire Development Team
Image credits: freddytylerpaul
#21 A Little Reminder To You All To Be Careful Because Sometimes Couch Cushions Explode Completely On Their Own For No Reason
Image credits: rogueandreckless
Your dog also requires mental stimulation. The AKC recommends dog puzzles, which you can even make on your own. Training sessions, socialization, interactive toys and even playing also count.
Veterinarian Jeannine Berger writes for PetMD: "Ditch the food bowl and offer food only in food-dispensing toys. Use boxes to offer your dog something they can dig into with their teeth and claws and find a treat hidden inside."
#22 Just Walking Through A Door
Image credits: AlecWaycaster
#23 Just Baked This Cake And Ate One Piece, Came Back And The Dog Licked The Icing Off As Far As She Could Reach
Image credits: gwarfunkle
#24 When You Spend The Night At A Friend's House And They Don't Give You A Blanket
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This was already mentioned above, but is a very important thing, so bear with me. No amount of punishment or yelling will make your dog understand that destructive behavior is not okay. Experts agree that punishing a dog for being destructive will only make their behavior worse.
#25 My Housemate's Dog Got Into My 6-Hour Butter Chicken. No Dinner For Me Tonight
Image credits: DopeCalyps0
#26 My Puppy Ate My Passport
Image credits: reddit.com
#27 My In-Law’s Dog Got To My Favorite Pair Of Shoes
Quite a Christmas dinner for the pup! She seems happy with herself for now, and I’m not going to hold it against her.
Image credits: snafumistress
Jeannine Berger writes: "If your dog destroys items because they are anxious, punishment only makes things worse in the long run by setting training back, making your dog’s anxiety and fear worse, and breaking the human-animal bond." If you catch your pup in the act, redirect its attention to a toy or something appropriate.
#28 Heard My Dogs Were Getting Rowdy In The Other Room And Didn’t Think Much Of It. This Was Their Dog Bed
Image credits: cynical_310
#29 She Has A Separation Anxiety
Image credits: Aubu
#30 My Puppy Chewed Up My Passport Days Before International Travel
Image credits: Mpc80
Sometimes a dog may need professional help to alleviate their urge to act destructively. If you're not sure about the causes of their behavior, don't hesitate to contact a veterinarian, trainer or behaviorist.
In some cases, even all the above-mentioned strategies might not work and the dog may need help from a professional. They can address the issue with some behavior modification techniques.
#31 I Was Outside Taking The Trash Out For 3 Minutes Tops. Bard Was Apparently Busy While I Was Out
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#32 My Houseplants Exploded While I Was At Work Today. Dog Says She Didn't See What Happened, But She Put A Blanket On It Just To Be Safe
Image credits: NikKnack1313
#33 Our Dogs, Who Rarely Misbehave, Decided To Eat $500 Worth Of Books While We Were At Work Today
Image credits: SuloBruh
#34 For The Most Part Having A Dog Is Awesome. But Sometimes It's Like Living With A Jerk Who Wrecks All Your Stuff When You're Not Around. Total Wrecked Sunglasses Count: 7
Image credits: lachtronic333
#35 My Dogs Decided To Eat A Pen Today
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#36 My Dog Got The Zoomies. He Likes To Run To His Bed And Back. He Went A Little Too Hard This Time. Dog Is Fine, But The Wall Is Not
Image credits: stitchmaster1127
#37 When You Own An Expensive Car And A Naughty Dog
Image credits: Aquagenie
#38 I Didn’t Get The Job I Wanted, So My Dog Ate My Rejection Letter
Image credits: Serious-Classroom139
#39 Alright, Let's Play Another Round Of "Spot The Culprit"
Image credits: jelder5591
#40 My Dog Broke My Blinds Just So She Can Do This
Image credits: YourWarDaddy
#41 Dog Walked On My Fresh Pour
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#42 Doug's Valentine's Day Gift For My Wife
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#43 Dogsitting For A Week. They Told Me To Keep The Dogs In The Basement
Image credits: 2xxChromosome
#44 Recently, I Tried An Expensive Rental Clothing Subscription. UPS Threw The Package Of Clothes/Bags Into My Backyard, And I Have Two Puppies
Image credits: Mckinzel
#45 My Boyfriend Wanted To Take A Picture Of That Glass Of Wine, Then My Dog Showed Up In My Window And Did This
Image credits: bruno_sensei
#46 I’ve Been Saving Up For A Switch For A Couple Months Now. I Finally Got It Last Week And Found This In My Dog’s Mouth This Morning
Image credits: yhandi
#47 Dutchie Opened The Window During A Car Wash
Image credits: JKreines
#48 My Puppy Chewed Up My $3,800 Hand-Carved Coffee Table Shipped From Japan
Image credits: dylanciaga
#49 Our 10-Month-Old Puppy Found The Packet Of Toilet Paper On The Table While We Were At The Supermarket
We don't have the courage to fight because it was our fault and also because he's really cute.
Image credits: Objective_Reward_893
#50 My Dog Found My Rainy Day Stash And Ate It
Image credits: BullfrogOscar22
#51 My Dog Chewed A Hole In My Living Room Wall Last Night. Safe To Say She’s Lost Her Roaming Privileges At Night
Image credits: Wordify20
#52 Dear IKEA, I Think My Dog Enjoys Your Pillow More Than I Ever Could
Image credits: CCbelle_7
#53 This Dog Ate My Neighbor's Food Delivery
Image credits: Gumpyyy
#54 Probably The Most Expensive Treat He’s Ever Gotten
Image credits: De-Eh-Team
#55 The Book’s Title Was “How To Train Your Beagle Puppy”
Image credits: MarqNinja
#56 My Dog Ate My Brand New AirPods, So I Bought The Pros
Image credits: reddit.com
#57 I Don’t Know What Happened, But We Were Just Running Around Playing When The Couch Exploded
Image credits: bigbrownpaws
#58 My Buddy Came Home To A Surprise From The Puppy
Image credits: _RainMaker
#59 Have You Ever Wondered If A Large Plant Pot Can Fit Through A Dog Flap?
Image credits: Apollokaylpto
#60 Oh How Wonderful, The Dog Fetched A Delivery Package
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#61 Our Boxer Puppy Got Into A Bag Of Flour, Took It To The Sofa And Did This
Image credits: King_Baboon
#62 Bittering Agent In Switch Games Proves Ineffective Against My Dog
Image credits: Ryder_Alknight
#63 When Your Puppy Chews Your Son’s Big Gift On Christmas Eve
Image credits: istheresugarinsyrup
#64 My Dog Was A Little Too Exited To See Me When I Got Home From Work
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#65 My Dog Launched Her Foot Off My Unopened Drink On Her Way Out The Car
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#66 A Neighbor Was Housesitting For My Cat While I Was Away. She Has A Dog. I Told Her The Dog Wasn't Allowed In My House. I Come Back To About 30 Cat Pouches Looking Like This
She said: "Your cat did it I couldn't stop her". My cat is 14 and has no teeth.
Image credits: JinxXedOmens
#67 My Dog Ate My Wife's Hyperbyte To Straighten Her Teeth, It's $700
Image credits: ilikemydawgs
#68 Finally After A Year I Was Able To Buy A Retail PS5. My Dog Was Super Excited Too
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#69 Archer Decided To Give The Living Room Carpet An Update Before We Had Company Over The Other Day
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#70 I Stand With Greta
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#71 A Weeks-Worth Of Tips Gone. Got Home After The Last Shift To Find My Puppy Shredded All Of It. Over $750
Image credits: stevelang
#72 Found Out The Hard Way Our New Rescue Has Serious Beef With Windshield Wipers
Image credits: martiny236
#73 Get A Dog, They Said. It'll Be Fun, They Said. Look At This. Then They Got The Nerve To Be Smiling
Image credits: seauxphie_sophia
#74 My Puppy Ate My BlackShark V2 Headphones, Not Covered By Warranty, But At Least She Has Great Taste In Accessories
Image credits: Pieguy_12
#75 Patient At Our Eye Clinic Just Got A New Dog
Image credits: goatviewdotcom
#76 My Supervisor Is Out On Vacation And I'm Walking Their Dog While They're Gone. Walked In To Find This. She Looks So Proud Of Her Work
Image credits: JacobLemongrass
#77 Delivery Driver Hung Food Order On My Fence And My Dog Ate Every Single Bite
Image credits: Lucia_Unicorn
#78 Just A Day In The Life
Image credits: mamasgreenthumb
#79 I Came Home From Work To Find Out My Dog Destroyed My Feather Pillow
Image credits: lbpcod
#80 My Puppy Destroyed My Switch
Image credits: sunshineandmelons
#81 This Dog Didn’t Give A Damn
Image credits: Adderall--
#82 My Dog Won Against A Pen
Image credits: PARAN0lA
#83 My Dog Ate My Artwork
Image credits: DissectionsNDragons
#84 Dogsitting Our Friend’s Dog And It’s Not Going So Well
Image credits: beaumonte
#85 When Your Dog Eats Your Expensive Pair Of Boots
Image credits: Unique_the_Vision
#86 35 Lbs Beagle Ate The Carrot Cake I Made. With Cream Cheese Frosting. This Is All That Remains. RIP Carrot Cake
Image credits: reddit.com
#87 Sorry But This Is Hilarious
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#88 She Has A Good Fashion Sense
Image credits: ImNotScottySire
#89 Not The First Thing She’s Chewed Up, Not The Last. Here’s Her With A Copy Of Don’t Shoot The Dog
Image credits: JacobLevenson
#90 The Dog Was Trying To Get Pretty, Can't Blame Him
Image credits: KatStuartMusic
#91 When Your Husband Asks You To Wash His Trainers, So You Leave Them By The Washing Machine. Then, Forget About Them And Later Discover The Pup Has Eaten Them
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#92 My Dog Snuck Off For A Few Minutes, Then Brought Me This
Image credits: bizcat
#93 Good Morning To Everyone Except My Dog Who Doesn’t Understand “Expensive Taste” Is Just A Figure Of Speech
Image credits: GunMTL_Grace
#94 Bought The Pokeball Plus Today. Excited To Use It, But Came Home To My Dog Chewing It Up
Image credits: onlyherewearenot
#95 Leaving For Our Honeymoon Today. Dog Chewed It Up, But The Scan Page Is Entirely In Tact Save For A Small Portion Of The Upper Right Corner With Nothing On It. Will We Be Able To Go?
Image credits: bdn2555
#96 My Friend’s 2 Labradors Spent His Stimulus Money While He Was At Work
Image credits: caffeinatedelirium
#97 Dog Decided My Expensive Remote Was A Chew Toy
Image credits: thelastskookum
#98 I'm So Thankful To My Bomb Dog And His Trusty Sidekick. The Jigsaw Have Once Again Saved Me From An Exploding Couch
Image credits: thenaughtypuppyranch
#99 Dog Destroyed Two Of My Childhood Books That Have Been With Me Through 30 Moves
Image credits: saintofhate
#100 My Dog Ate My Homework, Now I Have To Do My Work All Over Again
Image credits: Pure-for-life
#101 Get A Puppy, They Said. It'll Be Fun, They Said
Image credits: Guilty_Collection273
#102 Meet My Dog Taco Bell. He Decided To Rip Up My Mom's Bible This Morning
Image credits: cuppamaeve
#103 Larry Keeps Stealing Shoes And Refuses To Drop Them
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#104 Someone Cannot Be Trusted Alone In The House Anymore
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#105 My Only Expensive Shades
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#106 My Wife Didn't Put Away Her $300.00 Stetson Hat. Our Dog Reminded Her
Image credits: King_Baboon
#107 Well, We Have Evidence. The Teacher Will Believe It
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#108 I Wanted To Share My Puppy Experience. Carpet Was Only A Year Old
Image credits: Its-me-big-dee
#109 My Foster Dog Chewed Up My 2,000-Dollar Couch
Image credits: KitMocahbee
#110 My Dog Decided To Destroy My "Trash Taste" Tour Hoodie
Image credits: TuterKing
#111 My Boss's Dog Tore Up My Mango Plant. Boss Wasn't Present For This, So I Texted Him Letting Him Know, And All He Had To Say Was "How Much Do I Owe You?"
Image credits: olive-bernie
#112 My Dog Ate The Face Off His Toy
Image credits: Seeyoulateraviator
#113 My Puppy Discovered Socks And Toilet Paper
Image credits: Outerbongolia
#114 My New Puppy Has A Taste For Eyeglasses
Image credits: Asleep_Yesterday
#115 Dog Ran Through Closed Glass Door. Dog Won
Image credits: BlondieMIA
#116 Recently Learned These Go For $100 Now That They’re Discontinued. Today My Dog Decided It Was His Next Chew Toy
Also should note he’s only ever chewed up 2-3 items in his life that weren’t toys. Glad he saw the value in this one, I guess.
Image credits: justkttnaround
#117 I Woke Up To The Sound Of My Dog Chewing On Something Plastic. Found This
Image credits: BremboBob
#118 My Puppy Decided That My PS5 Controller Was What He Wanted For Lunch
Image credits: LoonieToonez
