Destructive behavior in dogs is one of the most common problems for owners. Of course, puppies are the most prone to this because they've had no training yet. Sometimes pups start chewing up the furniture even if they have tons of toys lying around.

So where does this problem come from? The American Kennel Club writes that if the dog can reach a thing, to them that means it's on offer. Especially if that thing has the owner's scent to it. The problem is especially common with puppies because they might be teething. Chewing alleviates the gum pain, but that's what puppy toys are for.

If your pup is engaging in destructive behavior, it's very important to understand why. Some people think that they might be doing this out of spite or revenge. But dogs don't operate like humans do. The MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) writes that this is how dogs relieve anxiety and let out excess energy.

They can also start tearing things apart because of boredom. If an adult dog lacks exercise, mental stimulation or training, they might start chewing everything around them. There's also separation anxiety and fear, for which the underlying reasons can be more complicated – genetics, phobias or traumatic experiences.

Separation anxiety can be very common in dogs obtained from shelters or found on the street. Dogs from shelters can exhibit other signs of separation anxiety. That includes following the owner around, always frantically greeting them and being anxious when the owner prepares to leave the house. 

It's crucial to understand that if these are the causes of your dog's destructive behavior, punishment will not help. It will only have a negative effect.

The AKC suggests puppy-proofing your room or home to avoid finding your furniture in shambles. Just like we do with toddlers – either a dog crate or a puppy-gated room would work. If you don't have enough space, put valuable things out of reach. 

I can share a more personal tale here as well. One day after coming home to find my room destroyed – wallpaper ripped from the walls, bed corners chewed up – I decided to dog-proof my room as well. Nothing on the desk, nothing on the windowsills – nothing. And while it made my room quite minimalistic in decor, it actually worked.

What else can you do? First, let's address the lack of physical stimulation. Jason Purgason of Highland Canine Training writes that a tired dog is a happy dog. "If a dog is tired, they will have a reduced urge to destroy things and spend their time at home resting and relaxing instead."

Your dog also requires mental stimulation. The AKC recommends dog puzzles, which you can even make on your own. Training sessions, socialization, interactive toys and even playing also count. 

Veterinarian Jeannine Berger writes for PetMD: "Ditch the food bowl and offer food only in food-dispensing toys. Use boxes to offer your dog something they can dig into with their teeth and claws and find a treat hidden inside."

This was already mentioned above, but is a very important thing, so bear with me. No amount of punishment or yelling will make your dog understand that destructive behavior is not okay. Experts agree that punishing a dog for being destructive will only make their behavior worse.

Jeannine Berger writes: "If your dog destroys items because they are anxious, punishment only makes things worse in the long run by setting training back, making your dog’s anxiety and fear worse, and breaking the human-animal bond." If you catch your pup in the act, redirect its attention to a toy or something appropriate.

Sometimes a dog may need professional help to alleviate their urge to act destructively. If you're not sure about the causes of their behavior, don't hesitate to contact a veterinarian, trainer or behaviorist.

In some cases, even all the above-mentioned strategies might not work and the dog may need help from a professional. They can address the issue with some behavior modification techniques.