My Sherry started chewing the rug at 13. One thought was that she was bored (which she was). They start getting destructive when they're bored, plus she had severe separation anxiety. Chewing can also be anxiety. But when she started doing it right in front of me (obviously not anxious - I was home), among other symptoms, we figured she had CCD (Canine Cognitive Disfunction). This is the equivalent to Alzheimers or Dementia. Our conclusion of CCD was due to her age, among other symptoms, and the behaviorist agreed. But anxiety and boredom are many times the reason. Maybe if you buy a kong and put some treats or peanut butter in it (for the boredom). If you think it's anxiety, let me know. That's a whole other ballgame. I could write a book on it.