Hi,

My 8 month old GSP has never been overly destructive, with only minor teething on items of furniture despite our best efforts to provide suitable "materials".

However, almost overnight, he has turned into a destructive monster!

He has destroyed table legs, a table lamp, car keys, his food mat, plus a few other things.

These are all items which have been easily accessible to him as he has never shown any interest in chewing them before, so we have had no reason to keep them out of his reach...

He has a diet consisting mainly of dried food and gets treats mainly as training aids, or if he has been particularily good.

He has plenty of toys to play with/chew and the longest he is left alone is a couple of hours at a time.

His last destructive streak was during the night as we slept....

Any ideas as we are practically at the end of our tether as he is otherwise a very good dog and behaves well in other circumstances.

Thanks.

Has there been a change in routine (daft question bearing in mind the time of year - but some folk can keep their dogs routine 'normal')  At 8 months this is his first Christmas, and it may well have been disturbing for him, especially if there have been more people around than he is used to........  Diet may also have changed, which may have given him tummy ache.... Personally I wouldn't worry too much unless he's still doing it when things are 'back to normal'.

8 Month. This is what i would call normal. He is bored over night. The best thing is crate him when you can not keep an eye on him.

Now christmastime. Everybody does get nervous around him . Especially when the fireworks do start.
I would suggess that you might put him in a crate.

Talisman, I thought you had a GSD? When did he turn into a GSP? Or do you have both? If you have a GSP then he is bored stupid. Occupy his mind and the rest will fall into place. Do not cage him.

Like I said above....he is 8 months old so I call him a GSP? What age should I change my terminology from GSP to GSD and is it really that important???? (confused)

Mixed advice regarding whether he should be caged..... :(

How do you occupy an 8 month old dogs mind in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping?

A GSP is a German Shorthaired Pointer a GSD is a German Shepherd Dog, two totally different breeds!

Hope that things start to get better soon though.

Oh I see! lol

Thanks for that perrodeagua!

I was incorrectly informed that GSP was German Shepherd Pup! :)

I would crate him at night.  As you said, you cannot watch him when you are sleeping and it's better to crate him than have him do serious damage to himself or your home.  

My opinion is that your dog has hit adolescence, which is often a time young dogs revert to puppy type behaviours.  His hormones are starting to pump, he's getting stronger day by day, and his need for physical and mental stimulation is increasing.  

I would buy him some tough toys for chewing.  The extra tough kongs and Nylabone products.  I would also increase the amount of walking and running time you are giving him.   Do lots of ball throwing and active games with him.  Take him to obedience classes if you have not already, or, enroll him in an advanced class.  (Still no jumping or the like - at 8 months you still need to be concerned about growing bones and proper hip development.)

Stacey

8 months old - could it be a hormone/sexually maturing sort of thing??

Dogs (and bitches) also have a secondary teething period where there teeth seem to settle into their final positions, this is generally closer to 12 months although GSD's may be different, when their jaws stop growing.

Perhaps this is happening - have you checked his mouth for sore areas?

Christine

All the destructive dogs in a major fashion that I have known have started it around this age.  some people say it is to do with teething and the large teeth settling in giving a fierce neeed to chew, some say it is adolesent frustration/boredom.

My freinds adolescent Dobes have all gone trhough a stage of this and chwed up some major (old items) and done a fairt amount of remodelling of kitchen and floor coverings.  By 2 they will ahve grown out of it.

In the meantime, vigilance, plenty to do and lots of legitimate chew objects.