The Power of Choice: Using Enrichment to Reduce Destructive Behaviour
Is Your Dog Naughty or Just Bored?
When you come home to a shredded cushion or a dug-up garden, it’s easy to feel like your dog is acting out of spite because they were left behind, or is just being naughty. However, most "destructive" behaviours are actually a dog’s way of trying to meet their own biological needs. Dogs have a hard-wired urge to chew, sniff, and forage.
If we don't provide them with the right outlets, they will find their own—usually at the expense of our furniture! By introducing purposeful enrichment, you can redirect that energy into healthy habits that support their mental and physical well-being. In this guide, we’ll explore how to give your dog "the power of choice" to stop destruction before it starts.
The Biological Drive to Chew
Chewing is not a "hobby" for your dog; it is a physiological necessity. For a dog, gnawing on something tough is a primary way to relieve stress and maintain jaw health. When we don't provide an appropriate outlet, dogs naturally turn to high-value (and expensive) targets like skirting boards, shoes, or the corners of the coffee table.
To effectively stop destructive chewing, you must provide an alternative that is more satisfying than your furniture.
Structural Integrity: Building Blocks for Joints
When a dog gnaws on a long-lasting chew, they aren't just occupied—they are actually consuming the building blocks for their own structural integrity.
- Beef Tendons: These are naturally rich in Manganese and collagen. Manganese is a critical trace mineral often missing in standard diets, yet it is essential for supporting connective tissue and maintaining the health of ligaments. By providing a Beef Tendon, you are helping to repair and strengthen your dog’s internal "scaffolding" while they play.
- Goat Horns & Cow Hooves: For power chewers who need a high-resistance challenge, these provide the ultimate sensory outlet. The act of "wrestling" with a tough horn provides deep pressure therapy, which is incredibly calming for anxious or high-energy dogs.
The "Internal Sweep": Satisfying the Primitive Urge
If your dog is constantly "seeking"—digging, eating grass, or licking the carpet—they may be looking for sensory input or dietary bulk. This is where "furry" treats like Goat Trotters or Beef Hide Scrolls (with fur) become an essential enrichment tool.
The fur provides Insoluble Fibre, which acts as a natural cleaning action for the digestive tract. It provides a unique tactile experience that mimics a dog’s natural foraging instincts. Providing a "furry" chew often satisfies that primitive urge, leading to a calmer dog that is less likely to forage in your garden or bin.
Redirecting the Behaviour
The secret to success is The Trade. If you catch your dog chewing something they shouldn't, don't just scold them. Instead, offer them a higher-value choice like a Roo Tail piece or a Himalayan Chew.
Once they engage with the safe chew, praise them quietly. They hear your approval, but aren't excited or distracted by it. You are giving them "the power of choice" to do the right thing, which builds a stronger bond and a much more relaxed home environment.
Sniffing: The "Internal Sweep" for the Brain
Did you know that 15 minutes of purposeful sniffing is often more exhausting for a dog than an hour-long walk? A dog’s brain is wired to process the world through scent. When we allow them to use their nose, we are providing a "natural cleaning action" for their mental state, helping to lower heart rates and reduce anxiety.
If your dog is destructive, they may simply have "mental cabin fever." Decompression walks—where the dog leads the way and sniffs as long as they like—are a great start, but you can also bring this enrichment inside using scent-work games.
DIY Enrichment Ideas: Hidden Treasures
You don't need expensive gadgets to provide high-quality enrichment. You just need a few "teeny tiny" rewards and a bit of creativity. Using our variety of Beef, Chicken, Fish, Insect, and Buffalo training treats is perfect for these games because the varied scents keep the "search" exciting.
1. The Muffin Tin Game
Place several "teeny tiny" training treats (try the Buffalo or Insect options for a strong new scent) into the holes of a muffin tin. Cover each hole with a tennis ball, or something similar. Your dog has to use their nose to figure out which holes contain the treasure and then figure out how to remove the ball to get the reward. This builds problem-solving skills and confidence.
2. The Grass Scavenger or Treasure Hunt
Take a handful of small treats and scatter them into a patch of long grass in your garden. This encourages "foraging," a natural behaviour that satisfies the primitive urge to hunt and gather. Because our training treats are small and healthy, you can scatter a dozen or more without worrying about overfeeding. You can find more detailed information about this in our article specifically on this topic.
3. The Rolled Towel Challenge
Lay a towel flat, scatter a line of treats across it, and roll it up tightly. Your dog must use their paws and nose to unroll the "burrito" to reach the rewards. This is an excellent way to slow down fast eaters and provide 10 minutes of solid mental work.
By incorporating these games, you are providing the building blocks for a calm, well-adjusted dog. You are giving them a job to do, which means they won't have to "hire themselves" to do a job you don't like—such as redecorating your lounge room!
Common Questions: Dog Enrichment
How often should I provide enrichment?
Enrichment should be a daily occurrence. Just as you wouldn't go a day without mental stimulation, your dog needs a "job" to do every day. Rotating between a Chew Treat and a sniffing game is a great way to keep things fresh.
Will enrichment treats make my dog gain weight?
Not if you use the right rewards! Our "teeny tiny" training treats—available in Beef, Chicken, Fish, Insect, and Buffalo—are designed for high-frequency use. Because they are single-ingredient and small, you can use them for games without significantly impacting their daily calorie intake. Chews should be taken into account as part of the daily food allowance.
My dog just destroys plush toys. What should I give them?
If your dog is a "destructive" chewer, they likely need more resistance. Move away from soft toys and offer durable, natural options like Goat Horns or Cow Hooves, or if you are looking for toys, Kong is a great heavy duty brand. These provide the necessary sensory feedback to satisfy their urge to gnaw without the risk of swallowing toy stuffing.
How can I stop my dog's destructive chewing?
Destructive chewing is usually a sign of boredom or a lack of appropriate outlets. To stop it, you must move from restriction to redirection by providing your dog with better choices that satisfy their natural instincts. Offer natural chews - not only will chewing release endorphins, the chewing action will enhance dental health.
Conclusion: A Calm Dog is a Happy Dog
Stopping destructive behaviour isn't about more discipline; it's about providing better choices. By meeting your dog’s biological needs for Manganese-rich chews and sensory "internal sweeps" through sniffing, you are creating a more balanced environment. When you provide the right building blocks for mental and physical health, the destruction stops, and a stronger bond begins.
Browse our collection of Treats for Dogs That Chew for more ideas
