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Basics ⬇

Basics

Overview

  • Behavior that causes damage to an owner's home or belongings.
  • Primary destructive behavior is a normal behavior that includes exploratory and play-based behavior.
  • Secondary destructive behavior is a clinical sign of another behavior condition.

Systems Affected

  • Gastrointestinal-damage to teeth; vomiting and diarrhea, obstruction if ingested.
  • Musculoskeletal-traumatic damage caused by scratching or chewing.
  • Ingestion of toxic material could affect any organ system.

Signalment

  • Any breed or gender.
  • Primary destructive behavior seen in dogs <1 year of age.
  • Secondary destructive behavior can be seen at any age.

Signs

Primary Destructive Behavior

  • Initially occurs in the presence or absence of the owner.
  • Not preceded by a specific environmental trigger.
  • Absence of anxiety or aggression.

Secondary Destructive Behavior

  • Attention-seeking behavior-destructive behavior in the presence of the owner.
  • Separation-related anxiety-destructive behavior consistently occurs in the absence of the owner, and rarely in the presence of the owner; target items may include personal belongings, furniture, or points of egress.
  • Storm phobia, noise phobia-destructive behavior and/or anxiety-related behavior in response to stimuli whether or not owner is present. Intensity may be greater during owner absence.
  • Territorial aggression-arousal is observed in presence of owner; destructive behavior is intermittent based on presence of triggers; window frames and doorways are damaged.

Causes & Risk Factors

  • Primary destructive behavior represents normal behavior; inadequate supervision and insufficient access to appropriate outlets may affect destructive behavior.
  • Owner scolding, leading to either fear or attention seeking.
  • Risk factors for anxiety-based conditions not clearly identified.
  • Territorial aggression may have genetic and learned components.

Diagnosis ⬆ ⬇

Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

  • Identify pathologic conditions.
  • If pica accompanies destructive chewing-rule out conditions affecting digestion, absorption, polyphagia and appetite, including recent diet change.
  • If licking surfaces, rule out upper GI disease.
  • For sudden onset in a mature pet with no notable environmental changes-rule out medical conditions.
  • For age-related onset, rule out cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

CBC/Biochemistry/Urinalysis

Usually normal

Other Laboratory Tests

As indicated to rule out medical condition.

Imaging

May be indicated if sudden onset in mature pet.

Diagnostic Procedures

Physical examination with attention to GI tract.

Treatment ⬆ ⬇

Treatment

Treat underlying disease.

Primary Destructive Behavior

  • Supervise, confine or dog proof until appropriate behavior has been established.
  • Assure access to acceptable chew toys.
  • Reward appropriate behavior-select toys that dispense food or can be stuffed with food.
  • Interrupt inappropriate behavior, apply non-toxic bitter-tasting product, then offer appropriate activity.
  • Provide adequate interactive play.
  • Use caution in applying any form of punishment. Any correction must be applied humanely, without causing pain or fear that could trigger anxiety or aggression.

Secondary Destructive Behavior

  • Attention-seeking-provide owner-initiated interactions; teach sit for all interactions.
  • Compulsive disorder-reduce sources of anxiety; offer interactive play and appropriate chew items; prevent access to target items.
  • Separation-related anxiety-behavior modification; punishment is contraindicated.
  • Noise phobia-behavior modification; reduce access to triggers.
  • Territorial aggression-behavior modification, prevent access to doors and windows.

Medications ⬆ ⬇

Medications

Drugs

  • Medication complements behavior modification and may provide more rapid resolution when treating anxiety-based conditions.
  • Medication is not indicated for primary destructive behaviors or attention-seeking behavior.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Clomipramine: 1–3 mg/kg PO q12h

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Fluoxetine: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q24h

For situational anxiety (alone or together with SSRI or TCA)

Alprazolam: 0.01–0.1 mg/kg PO prior to event. Trazodone: 3–10 mg/kg PO prior to event. Clonidine: 0.01–0.05 mg/kg PO prior to event.

Contraindications/Possible Interactions

  • Psychotropic medication is not indicated for primary destructive behavior.
  • TCAs and SSRIs should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors including amitraz and selegiline.
  • Benzodiazepines may disinhibit aggression; use with caution in dogs with a history of aggressive behavior.

Follow-Up ⬆ ⬇

Follow-Up

Patient Monitoring

Weekly follow-up during initial phase of treatment.

Expected Course and Prognosis

  • Resolution of normal exploratory behavior is usually rapid.
  • Anxiety-based conditions often require long-term management, including medication.

Miscellaneous ⬆

Miscellaneous

Age-Related Factors

Age of onset may aid in diagnosis.

Pregnancy/Fertility/Breeding

Preparturient destructive behavior (nesting).

Abbreviations

  • SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
  • TCA = tricyclic antidepressant

Author Ellen M. Lindell

Consulting Editor Gary M. Landsberg

Suggested Reading

Lindell E. Management problems in dogs. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, eds., BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, 2nd ed. Gloucestershire, UK: BSAVA, 2009, pp. 83–97.