We have a 20 month old (or should that be young) black lab. For some reason he decided to remove the wooden handles off a piece of furniture, he also "altered" a few tea towels and one pair of rubber gloves.

Up until a few weeks ago he was fine, we leave him, and our other lab, with different toys when we go out and that usually means they are OK when left.

Is this just another puppy stage?

He does not do this kind of thing when we are about, he is completely trust worthy to have full access around the house, I know labs can be destructive out of boredom, but has he started again (he did a few things when he was very young).

We know it is best not to leave them but sometime we have to, is packing food in kongs a longer lasting distraction instead of nylabones etc.

Could be you are not leaving him enough! I know that's a strange thing to say, but leaving is just another thing to train just like recall and walking to heel. If you very rarely leave your dog then the strain and worry is that much greater than if it's a normal occurrence! Basically it's worry! "Mum's gone and I don't know if she's ever coming back!"

Regards, John