Alternative to crating? Dog breaks cage!

[Hubblez]

Hello,

I've recently started a new job, I am out of the house from 9-3 so not too bad for the dogs. I have the option of going home at dinner but normally don't need to.

I have 2 big dogs, 1 is fine just in the house alone and will chill and be good til I'm home. The other one not so much. He used to be ok but for some reason in the last 2 weeks (I had the job before then and he was fine) he's been acting up. He ripped a hole in the sofa and pulled all the stuffing out, so after that I left him with a muzzle on - one that's like a rubber cage so he can still pant and drink. That stopped him chewing but then he realised he can use his feet.

The dogs are left with access to the living room/kitchen. Then there's a baby gate, a hole under the stairs, and a door to the front room which is currently used for storage of shoes, human and pet food and laundry. My dog now jumps over the baby gate and pushes the door open into that r

Sorry fat fingers posted too early!

Pushes door open into storage room* and then the cats get in there and shred everything up lo

My phone hates me today haha sorry!

Cats shred everything up looking for food and then both dogs get in and rip up with their feet. I don't want any animals in that room. So I put a lock on the door. Second dog jumped at it so hard it broke the lock off. I caged him and he was fine but now the last 2 days I came home and the cage is mangled (from his feet. He was still muzzled or he would rip the bed up in there). Today the cage door is smashed open and cage is destroyed.

What can I do with that dog to stop him getting in that room? The only safe rooms I can keep him in is the living room and kitchen but he's obsessed with getting to the front room for some reason. He also has an adaptil collar and spray but they don't seem to be changing his behaviour.

Running out of options besides hog tying him haha! And sorry for posting early... twice

He sounds stressed to me. Maybe ask the vet for their thoughts?

I did already ask the vet and it's them who gave me the adaptil.. I could leave him around the house before and he would never act like this. Wonder what changed. I guess vet might be able to prescribe something stronger to make him drowsy? :( I would feel mean doing that but it's better for me and doggy in the long run I suppose - if the vet would even do that. I'll give them a ring now

Have you had this thundery weather?

It sounds like something is bothering him.

Any strange noises you've not had before -neighbours doing diy or something?

You could use cabin hooks on the doors to stop access into rooms.

Uh-oh.
Just re read thread -you've recently started a new job -so thats the change I expect.

Are you out longer?

You should go home at dinner -6 hours every day is a long time.

Perhaps you'll need to organise for a dog walker to come in.

A cabin hook is the type I tried, he bashed into the door so much that the hook snapped straight off the door/wall where it was screwed onto. Only had thunder on one night and he was with me then, the behaviour started a bit before this. I had a job previously and worked 9-2 so it's only an extra hour of leaving him, wouldn't have thought that could make so much difference.

I work a 10 min walk away so can come back at dinner time, I told the vet this but she didn't think that would help and would stress him more cos it's leaving him twice iyswim. Regarding a dog walker, he is very wary around strangers - perhaps dangerously so if I wasn't there to supervise, he wouldn't let anybody walk him except me.

I booked an appointment at the vet for tomorrow to see a behaviourist. They will be able to give tablets if the behaviourist thinks they will help

I personally think that they are both being left far too long and it's ridiculous that one of them has to wear a muzzle during that time.

The poor thing is probably hot and bothered, maybe bored.

Deffo look at a dog walker, seems really unfair on the poor dogs.

Your change in working pattern has likely triggerred separation anxiety in your dog. He's exhibiting destructive behaviour because he's anxious and stressed, and restricting him/ muzzling simply prevents him from displaying his distress, not from feeling it. You need to address why he feels so anxious.

It's likley you'll need to do some counter conditioning. Ensure that your 'leaving the house' routine is quick and vary it to avoid specific triggers such as always picking up your bag etc in the same order. Don't increase your dog's emotional state by making lengthy goodbyes, and when you return, ignore your dog to make your return less rewarding (and therefore less 'missable') It's quite likely your dog may need help from a qualified behaviourist. The APBC also have an advice sheet here www.apbc.org.uk/system/files/private/advice_sheet_6_home_alone.pdf