I have had Bess a patterdale for 10 months now even though she is 2yrs old next month.  Ever since we have had her she's been great, she's usually on her own for about 5 hours a day but she's left in our kitchen which is quite big and roomy for her.  To be honest I was nervous about leaving her in the kitchen at first when I was at work as I didn't know if she was the type of dog who would chew things as we had a kitchen extension built 18 months ago and it is my pride and joy.  But she was great, never chewed anything either in the kitchen or the house.  However, last night for the first time my OH was upstairs and I was out of the house, she decided to chew the bottom of my bookcase in the living room.  My OH found her doing this and told her off, but what I was wondering is why did she do this?  She has plenty of toys and she even had a raw hide chew at that time.  Is this the start of a bad habbit or just a one off?  I have since sprayed the edges of everything I have with an anti chew spray but was wondering if anybody has experienced the same.  A dog that suddenly started to chew things for no obvious reason?

A really difficult one to answer but, just an idea, if your dogs is usually happy to be left alone for hours when you are both out, (and therefore no-one available to get company from) could it be frustration because one of you was in but unaccessible to her?

Possibly boredom/attention seeking. My 7 yr old has taken to lying on his side and digging the end of the sofa, to the point of making holes. He does this when he is being 'ignored'. If she has suddenly started chewing with no other signs of boredom etc, it might be worth checking her teeth.

no advice as to why but if the antichew spray doesnt work try vicks vapourub, normally works a treat.