I got a Lab mix at the end of June. He only did a couple of minor things wrong in the beginning but considering he is around 1 year and was not trained properly, I just kept training him with no. He also humps my other male dog, but only when I am not around. When I leave, he will chew up paper, pee all through my house and poop everywhere. The pee can start at the top of the stairs and go down the stairs through the living room, dining room, and the kitchen. The previous owners gave me a cage, which he destroyed, so I got a metal crate. Unfortunately, my 40-lb dog chewed up the bed in there, ruined the liner, and banged against the door so much he broke it and got out. So, when I got home the cage was broken and he again peed and pooped everywhere. I praise him and award him when he goes outside, I take him out before I put him in the cage and awarded him when he went in the cage, so what am I doing wrong? Also, when he goes in the house I mix bleach and water and mop the whole house since I have hardwood floors. Usually my brother is home with him so he does not have to be put in the crate, which I do not even have that option since he ruined both cages, but he cannot be trusted to run the house like my other dog. What other options can I try?

Dogs will be dogs. When my dog was a puppy, she ruined a good sofa and came close to knocking down our Christmas tree- twice. I believe that when they are new they become quite paranoid when their owner is away. They are upsetted that you have left them, and aren't coming back. Because they are fearful and anxious, they need a way to take out their feelings. But when they get used to the fact that you leave, and always come back, they will settle down.

Another reason why your puppy might do this is because he is lonely. You have left him by himself, and he is upset. Maybe you could try to mold a better relationship between him and your other dog so that he is less (or not) lonesome. My dog was exactly like this, and then when we got her a friend she calmed down almost instantaniously.

Your third resort is the obvious- a dog trainer. This didn't work for my family, but who knows? Your dog's behavior could be excellent after this experience.

How does he act when you first leave?

Does he get upset and cry when you walk out the door?
If so for how long?

What toys do you provide for him when you go out?

How long do you go out for?

Have yout tried restricting him to a smaller area like your kitchen?

He may have both separation anxiety about you leaving him alone as well as plain old boredom from being left with nothing to do.

Mine will not destroy anything in our house when we leave for 1-2 hours but when it starts creeping up to 3-4 hours that's when we come home to things chewed up on the floor.

Best thing to do would be to restrict where he can go to just a smaller room.

Leave nothing but a strong bed, hessian hammock beds are good as they are tough and have a metal frame.

And also leave an abundance of TOYS... kongs are great, they are a rubber ball that you put food inside. They will spend hours rolling it around making the food fall out.

You dogs are lonely when they are alone and they need sumone or something to play with maybe get another dog to play with and maybe he will stop

Danielle, how is your older dog adjusting to the new pup? Could they be doing some of the destruction together?

On the "humping" problem, is he intact or has he been neutered? It could be instinct to "mate" or trying to show he is dominant.

Be careful of over using the word "no". You may mean "don't do that", but he may think "sit, lay, chew the paper..." Try giving commands instead like "wait", "leave it", etc. depending on what you need/want him to do.