Vet Dr Lisa Henshaw gives her advice on how to help destructive dogs

Polly the Chihuahua is mighty cute, but like many dogs she’s also mighty destructive.

Sandra Wolverson's chihuahua Polly loves to destroy things. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

• Don’t be afraid of spiders
• Senior cat gets second chance at life

Polly the Chihuahua is mighty cute, but like many dogs she’s also mighty destructive.

Vets from Camden Valley Animal Hospital say it’s common for dogs to engage in destructive behaviour when bored, but the trick is to know how to keep them occupied.

Camden Valley Animal Hospital’s Dr Lisa Henshaw said canines, especially puppies, enjoyed putting their teeth to good use.

“Just being a puppy, destruction can just for plain fun, or it can be put down to boredom,” she said.

“Provide them with an outlet, something sacrificial they can tear to shreds and rip their teeth into.

Sandra with her pooch, whose hobby is destroying items around the house and backyard. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

“In the wild, dogs would spend about 30 per cent of their time hunting and looking for food, so try giving them a challenge to get their food.

“It’s mental stimulation when they have to work out how to get the food, and dogs enjoy the challenge.”

Dr Henshaw suggested giving dogs toilet rolls with food inside them, cardboard boxes, treat dispensing toys or burying treats in a toy clam shell filled with sand.

Destructive behaviour can also be a sign of separation anxiety, a mental disorder which should be treated by a specialist.

Polly’s owner, Sandra Wolverson, said the 11-month-old tears into anything from slippers and shoes, to pet beds and trampoline safety mats.

Polly with Sandra and son Cooper Harvey, 4. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

She also likes to help with the gardening, but not in a way that’s appreciated.

“She tends to do it at different times, mainly when we are out or in bed at night,” Ms Wolverson said.

“She loves thongs, slippers & ripping the inside stuffing out of her toys and beds, but lately has been doing the gardening for me, digging huge holes in the yard and ripping my sons trampoline safety mats.

She has been a destroyer from the day we got her at eight weeks and she has a partner in crime now called Millie she is also a Chihuahua and is also destructive but not as bad as Polly.”