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Why does my puppy destroy things and poop when left alone?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 10 months old | 67 lbs

Bourbon has been house trained for month using a bell and so we started being able to leave him home. We puppy proof the house but he still tearsthings up really bad and occasionally poops and less in the house. He is sometimes perfectly fine being left alone and other times is a shit head and does the naughty things. How do I curb this behavior because he knows it's bad when we get home he runs and lays in his bed. Clearly telling him no and sayings it's bad is not working.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on August 30th, 2017

Raising a puppy can definitely be frustrating at times! Dogs don't understand "bad" behavior the way that we do - they just do what makes sense to them at the time. He may know that you're angry when you come home, so he runs and hides in his bed - but he doesn't understand that his behavior earlier in the day was the problem. So I would recommend not scolding him anymore when you come home - it won't help the problem, and just creates additional stress and anxiety which can actually make things worse. If he's still having some issues with destructive chewing and housetraining accidents when he's home alone, then he's not ready to be left loose in the house just yet. Many dogs need to be crated or confined to a puppy-proofed room when you're gone until they're 1.5 - 2 years old, or even longer - this is perfectly normal. So my recommendation would be to simply not give him this much freedom yet. Another possibility to consider, if he's only having accidents and destroying things when you're gone, is that he may have separation anxiety. If you're unsure, try videotaping him one day when you're away to see if he seems upset or just bored. If he does have separation anxiety, you will need to talk with your vet as well as a good reward-based trainer who can help you work through this.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on August 24th, 2018

    Coca should be crated while you are our. She may experience a bit of anxiety when you leave. Acclimate her to your absence by stepping out for very short periods of time initially, then gradually increasing the time. Prepare to leave several times daily and then put all your things away and stay. When you do go out, don't make a big deal about leaving (or returning), simply leave. Ignore her for 15 minutes upon your return or until she calms down. Provide a special toy or treat to be used only when you go out. Take it up when you get home. A pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser, may decrease any anxiety.

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    Answered By Bette Isacoff

    Dog Trainer

    Published on May 29th, 2018

    You will never be able to stop the destructive behavior as long as no one is there AS IT HAPPENS to correct it. Scolding Teddy when you get home if he's been naughty only confuses him and makes matters worse. He will begin to associate the scolding with your coming home instead of what he did an hour or two ago. He is much better off in a crate, and will be much happier. You cannot use the crate indefinitely, however. By this age he should be trustworthy enough to be left alone for a time. If he is in a crate all day every day, this will create a new round of problems. If he needs to be watched during the day, please consider doggy day care or ask family, friends or neighbors to come by during the day to let him exercise and play for a bit. I am providing a link to a post about crates on my website. If you need further assistance, you can click on the prompt and start a consult, where we can discuss this at length. Good luck! http://www.betteisacoff.com/the-dog-crate-canine-chamber-of-torture/

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