My 16 month old boy has suddenly started ripping up his bedding - he sleeps in a large crate and has several toys in there, but has just started doing this - he only gets left for a max of 2 hours during the day, but he has also done it during the night too. I leave a radio on for him, but I cant keep re-stuffing his bedding - it has more patches on it now than an average quilt!!! nor can I keep buying new ones - any suggestions on a) how I can stop this, and b) suggestions for rip-proof bedding!!!, and c) why has he suddenly started doing this??
He has never destroyed anything before, he even has a teddy bear he sleeps with - had it since we got him, and its still in one piece - please help!!!!

I'd suggest he's doing it for one of two reasons - it's a release of stress (has anything happened or is happening at home to change how secure he may feel?  Change of jobs?  People staying? An accident to a member of the family.....)  Or he's now feeling more mature and his brain is telling him he should be taking on responsobilities when you're not there, but he's not actually ready for it.......

OR, he's found it's fun! 

Once you can determine WHY he's doing it, you're half way to curing it.......

Wish it were that easy!!! he's not been under any stress - he's one pampered pooch!!! nothing at home has changed either - I did consider stress being a reason but he's not under any at all - nor has he been ill, but if he's doing it cos he thinks its fun - how on earth do I get him to stop???!!!!

And when you aren't there - the 'pampering' stops ;)  This in itself could be stress full for some dogs......  It might be worth lowering the level of interaction with him in the half an hour or so before leaving him - in effect 'weaning' him off you and preparing him in a gentle way for being left alone......  A DAP defusser may also help.

Dont think its that, as he's only just started doing it, and its not every time - but what is a DAP defusser???????????!!! if it might help its got to be worth a try!

Dog Appeasing Pheramone - it's a plug in like an air freshner, but releases a pheramone - the same one a nursing bitch releases, it helps to settle anxious and nervous dogs.

What would happen if you took his bedding away?  Does he have a reasonable surface to lie on?  Some dogs find they get too hot when we think they need all the cushioning.