Max is 1. He went through his teething phase. He chewed shoes and laundry. But then we got him to stop. Now months later he is doing it again. Suddenly he is chewing things he knows he shouldn't. Like my pajamas, hats, workout gloves, sleeping masks and my glasses. What do I do. This is getting so frustrating. I hate coming home to find this, but I hate coming home to be bad at him the most. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | unneutered | 80 lbs

I'm so sorry you're going through this with Max. Unfortunately, young dogs have a lot of energy that can become destructive if they don't have any other outlet for it. The simplest short term solution might be to crate Max during the day while you're gone, but I think the best long term solution will be to find appropriate outlets for his energy. One of my favorite things for young dogs are feeding balls and toys such as a BusterCube. You can feed his entire meal in it, which will take him a while and require him to "play" more. I would also strongly recommend some additional training classes. It sounds simple, but my dog is 2 years old and he is always tired (and better behaved) for a day after an obedience class because he really worked his mind. I would also consider a doogy care care or dog walking service. That can make a world of difference. I hope that gives you some ideas. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I certainly understand and sympathize with your situation. I have one younger dog that has a lot of energy that will become destructive if he does not get enough stimulation. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me. One thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. Keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps him busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-toys/dog-games-and-puzzles/interactive-dog-toys I have not tried the Clever Pet yet, but it is an electronic interactive toy that I am intrigued about https://clever.pet So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity and keep Buddha safe. My final suggestion if Buddha has the potential to injure himself while you're at work is to train him to a crate where he can't get into trouble. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.