serious destruction problem... HELP!!

[Ree'sKujo]

My Akita is 1yr.old and he's never been a chewer but when he doesn't get enough attention he'll take the laundry out of the basket and drop at your feet,He won't chew,he'll just put it in front of you or if we go out and stay gone to long he take a cusion off the couch.Once he gets his attention not to mention his disipline for what he did he's fine.Sounds like they may need more attention and as was said in the previous post,more interaction.Make sue that they know their behavior is not acceptable.

[Jessika]

My Akita is 1yr.old and he's never been a chewer but when he doesn't get enough attention he'll take the laundry out of the basket and drop at your feet,He won't chew,he'll just put it in front of you or if we go out and stay gone to long he take a cusion off the couch.Once he gets his attention not to mention his disipline for what he did he's fine.Sounds like they may need more attention and as was said in the previous post,more interaction.Make sue that they know their behavior is not acceptable.

Ah see you can't give in to behavior like that though, you're giving him EXACTLY what he wants! Do NOT reward undesireable behavior and think "well if I give him attention, he'll stop". Even disciplining sometimes gives attention, which is what he wants. Dogs CRAVE attention - good or bad!! The next time he does that, IGNORE HIM, do not say anything, take the laundry or couch cushion or whatever object he dragged out and replace it, all WITHOUT MAKING EYE CONTACT. And most importantly DO NOT give him attention for it!

This is very much the same concept as being in the grocery store with a kid whining and crying for a candy bar, but no matter how many times you say no he persists on screaming louder until finally you let him have it, if only to shut him up. The ONLY thing this teaches the kid is that whining gets him what he wants.

Once he realizes, "hey, mom/dad doesn't give me attention for this any more..." guess what? He won't do it! :P

[Ree'sKujo]

Very good point although he hasn't done it in quite a long time.I did you the ignore tactic on him though to break him out of the habit of him jumping on me when I came home from work and he stopped in about a week.he usually picks up pretty quick though.You are very right however that their alot like kids and will take whatever attention they can get.