Dog eating everything... help.

MnMShaw

So my dog Freddy is 7 years old.  And all of a sudden he has decided he likes paper.  He shreds toilet paper, toilet paper roll holders, presents... lots and lots of presents, and today I came home to shredded duraflame logs (not the actual logs, just the paper on the logs).  Whats the deal?? Anyone have any advice.  We make sure he has food and water every time we leave, he isn't being deprived, he gets plenty of TLC/outside/play time, he hasn't been left for any extended period of time, nothing.  What gives?  Any advice is greatly appreciated.  We need to make an appt for the vet anyways so I will ask them then, but any help before then would be great.  TIA!

shanwalk2

sounds like he's bored, to me.

My dog looooves toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls as well.  Not sure why, but he does.  

I guess my only suggestion is to really baby proof your house and be diligent about shutting certain doors to keep him out of particular rooms that are not safe.  I try to look at it as "he won't get into things that I don't leave out".  That way, I don't blame my dog for acting like a dog - only blame myself for not making it dog friendly.   

baileykatie

We have an Australian Shepard/Bordie Collie Mix and he chews up EVERYTHING!!!  We actually have started to crate him; I don't think your dog needs that extreme though.  Maybe he can have "his own room" for a bit.  You might try that as well as baby proofing your house!!  Good luck to ya!

MnMShaw

I hear what you are saying about the bored thing but we have had him for 5 1/2 years and this is the first time he has ever done this and nothing about his schedule has changed.  So, why is he deciding to be bored now and never before?  Also, today, after I posted this, we had the fire logs picked up but still on the floor by the fire place and I turned around to see him pawing at them to try and go at them again.  We of course have picked them up, but I was kind of like WTH, I'm right here!!  We can't lock him in one room because he essentially tries to dig out by scratching the paint off the door and scratching the floor.  We used to crate him but he pants so much he gets the whole front of him soaking wet and barks that it was painful to watch so after a year of that we stopped.  I try to remember to pick everything up but it seems like every time we come home it's something new.  GRRRR this is frustrating!

Jess.O

That's weird that he just started without any reason.  Is there anything that maybe you didn't think of?  Like, company staying over or another person/animal getting more attention than usual? I've heard of dogs that have anxiety issues when left alone so they tear stuff up but I don't know that that would just come out of nowhere.  To me it seems like he's asking for attention but I don't know why it would just start. 

Hope he cuts it out soon, that's got to be frustrating!

Tiffany5412

I think he sounds bored too.  My dog went through that and we took in a stray that ended up never leaving because her behaviors stopped once she had a friend.  Even though they don't act like BFFs they play together still and for whatever reason her bad behaviors stopped.

AustinMimi

Sometimes dogs develop anxiety or neuroses as they get older. I would try taking him on a walk every day and see if it persists. Is he eating the paper? I'd think that could be bad for him. My dogs like to shred paper, but they don't eat it. I'd go to the vet if he's eating it. GL!