Oh my life he's dug up the carpet!!!!!

[weveallkissedafrogor2]

We have a gorgeous new 13week old sausage dog.
He's been so well behaved,plenty of toys to stop chewing, trained onto mats in the day time if we are out, walks well and sleeps through.
Don't get me wrong he's a pup so we realise there will be occcasions when it goes wrong but up until now we've been lucky.
He has access to the living room when we're but home/in bed.the thinking was that it's more cozy than the kitchen - he does have a big comfy fabric crate but prefers the sofa.
We put everything out of his reach so no surprises....... until this morning....... he's dug up the living room carpet...I mean OH MY GOD HES DUG UP THE LIVING ROOM CARPET!!!!
So off to pets at home we go to buy a wire crate!!!!
I didn't want to crate him but I think wel have to, once he's done it once hel do it again won't he?
I was thinking should I just put his current one over where he dug for tonight and see how he gets on?
I know it's not cruel to crate him it's a good tool to use.
Any tips welcome

Crate train him. He should' be being allowed to jump on and off the sofa at his age anyway, they are prone to spinal issues.

Shouldn't

Definitely crate train him. It's good practice anyway and I don't understand why anyone wouldnt

Crate training properly means he chooses to go there - not that he's locked in...
It sounds like he's starting to show signs of separation anxiety - wanting to be on the sofa where your scent is strongest and distress at being alone.

You need to train him to cope with being left alone - this should be part of normal socialisation training. He's only 13 weeks so there's time to do this if you nip it in the bud early. You need to start leaving him alone in a room with a treat for very short periods so he views 'alone time' as positive and relaxing. Gradually build the time up.

Thanks veterinari
We had dogs when I was a child and never did so always thought of it as a bit cruel but think it will be a good idea now!!!!
He has been left on his own for a max of 4hrs with lots of toys and treats but last night he wasn't happy, whined for maybe 5mins which we ignored as he normally settles but then we woke up to mayhem!! He's was scolded (age appropriate obviously) and he knew he was naughty but now I'm thinking crating would be best for him to have an area to feel safe aswel x

As a PP has said - you really mustn't let a young dachsie jump on and off the furniture. It's terrible for their backs, and they are so prone to spinal issues.

Also, scolding puppies for things they have already done isn't recommended - unless you catch them in the act you shouldn't punish because the dog can't make the connection between their earlier action and the reprimand.

His behaviour comes from anxiety - scolding him will only reinforce the anxiety and make things worse.

4 hours is a long time for a 13 week old pup to be left - you need to build it up gradually to stop him becoming anxious - it's a learning process. You also need to practice it when you are in the house so he gets used to time apart from you when you're nearby.

What you want to aim for us a pup that is confident enough to be left alone without anxiety, and doesn't need to be locked in a crate to stop him damaging property.

Properly done, crate training can work - but the crate HAS to be an unlocked refuge that the dog is comfortable in. Not a prison for the owner's convenience.

Please read this (separation habituation is at the bottom of the article)
www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation2

Also please read the Puppy Plan website - they have good socialisation resources