What to do when your Weimaraner destroys things
Destruction is a message, not spite. Rule out distress first, manage the house so mistakes cannot happen, then meet the need with chewing, sniffing and company.
When a Weimaraner destroys things, they are telling you something: they are anxious, bored, teething, or have simply learned that the sofa cushion is a great toy. Rule out distress first, manage the house so the damage cannot keep happening, then meet the need behind it with better outlets. Punishment does not fix the cause and can make it worse. This guide is part of our training and behaviour hub.
Key takeaways
- Destruction near doors and windows when you are out can be a sign of separation anxiety: film your dog before anything else
- Put temptations away and give your dog things they are allowed to destroy, every day
- Never punish after the event; your dog cannot link it to what they did, and it adds fear
Why does it happen?
The hashtag is #weimcrime for a reason. A Weimaraner is a big, clever, busy dog, and a bored or worried one can do a lot of damage. The usual causes are:
- Anxiety when left. Chewing, scratching or digging at doors and windows while you are out can be separation-related behaviour.1
- Under-stimulation. A dog whose body and brain have not had enough to do will find their own work. RSPCA UK suggests checking whether destruction is caused by a lack of mental stimulation.1
- Teething and normal puppy chewing. Puppies explore the world with their mouths.
- It works. AVSAB explains that most unruly behaviour happens simply because it has been rewarded, and that stealing food when nobody is watching is not a bid for higher rank.2 A shoe is fun to chew; the bin smells amazing.
- Frustration or over-arousal. A dog left watching a window full of passers-by, or wound up before being left, may take it out on the nearest thing.
- Health problems. Discomfort or illness can change behaviour, which is why your vet is part of the plan.3
RSPCA UK notes that behaviour problems such as destructiveness are often a sign that a pet is unhappy.3 That is a useful way to look at it: not "how do I stop this?" but "what does my dog need?"
Rule out distress first
Before anything else, find out when the destruction happens. If it only happens when you are out, set up a camera. RSPCA UK lists destruction, often near exits, doors or windows, among the most common signs of separation-related behaviour, alongside barking, howling, toileting and signs of worry before you leave.1
| What you notice | What to think about first |
|---|---|
| Damage around doors, windows or the crate, only when you are out | Separation anxiety: see our separation anxiety guide |
| The food toy left untouched while you are out | Worry about being alone |
| Chewing whenever you are busy at home, then settling once you engage | Boredom or attention seeking |
| A puppy chewing everything, in your presence too | Teething and exploring |
| Destruction that is new in an adult dog | Talk to your vet |
If the camera shows panic, this is not a chewing problem, and the fixes below will not be enough on their own. Start with the separation anxiety guide.
Management: make mistakes impossible
Management is not a cop-out. AVSAB describes management, avoiding the situations that lead to unwanted behaviour, as having a vital role in any training plan.4 Every time your dog gets to chew the skirting board, the habit gets stronger. Every time they cannot, it gets a little weaker.
- Tidy up. Shoes, remotes, glasses, children's toys and laundry go out of reach.
- Protect the bin and the bench. Use a bin with a lid, and keep food off kitchen surfaces.
- Use gates and pens. Give your dog a dog-safe area when you cannot supervise.
- Block the view. If passers-by wind your dog up, close the curtains or use window film.1
- Supervise the danger zone. For a puppy or a new rescue, a house line (a light lead with no handle) lets you calmly guide them away from trouble.
- Plan your departures. Exercise, toilet and a food toy before you leave help a dog rest while you are out.1
Meeting the need
Once management is in place, give your Weim what they were looking for. RSPCA Australia describes enrichment as essential for dogs' physical and mental health, and says it can help prevent unwanted behaviours.5 It notes that dogs are less likely to get bored with activities that involve chewing or feeding.5
Things your Weim is allowed to destroy:
- a cardboard box or egg carton with some of their daily food hidden inside
- treats wrapped in paper, or rolled up in an old towel
- a stuffed food toy, or a frozen one for longer chewing
- safe chews of a size and type suited to your dog
Things that meet the need behind the chewing:
- Sniffing. Scatter some of your dog's food in the grass, or play find-it. Our scent games guide has more.
- Training. RSPCA Australia counts training as cognitive enrichment that can help dogs feel calmer.5
- Exercise with you. The right amount and type of exercise, not just more of it; see how much exercise a Weimaraner needs.
- Rest. An over-tired dog often chews more, not less. See settling and calm.
- Company. Weims are people dogs; long stretches alone are hard on many of them.
Rotate toys and chews so they stay interesting. RSPCA Australia warns that giving the same toys day in and day out soon becomes boring, and that relying heavily on food enrichment can lead to weight gain, so take treats from your dog's daily food.5
Teething and chews
Puppies chew a lot, especially while their adult teeth are coming through. This is normal, and the aim is not to stop it but to direct it.
- Offer variety. Have several chews with different textures on hand: firm rubber, softer chews, a cold damp flannel to gnaw.
- Swap, do not chase. If your puppy has something they should not, offer something better and reward them for letting go. Chasing turns it into a game.
- Praise good choices. When your puppy picks up their own chew, say so.
- Rest often. Over-tired puppies get mouthier. Build in plenty of naps.
- Check chews regularly. Throw away anything that is breaking into pieces small enough to swallow.
Ask your vet which chews are safe for your puppy, and whether anything about their mouth or teeth needs checking. For the first weeks at home, see the first 30 days.
What punishment does
It is tempting to tell your dog off when you come home to a shredded cushion. It does not help.
- Your dog cannot connect it. RSPCA UK explains that a dog does not associate your anger with something they did earlier, and that the "guilty look" is a response to your body language and tone.1
- It adds fear. If the destruction was caused by anxiety, being told off on your return makes your dog more anxious next time you leave, making the behaviour worse.1
- It harms your relationship. AVSAB links aversive methods to stress and fear, and says they damage both welfare and the human–animal bond.4
- It hides the cause. AVSAB points out that punishment may suppress a behaviour, such as aggression, without addressing the underlying cause.2
So, if you come home to a mess: let your dog outside, clean up quietly, and work out what happened. Then change something before next time.1 AVSAB recommends reward-based training for all dogs and all behaviour problems,4 and under the Pet Professional Guild's principles, no pain, fear or force is ever used.6
When to get help
Talk to your vet first if destruction is new in an adult dog, if your dog is chewing or licking themselves, if they may have swallowed something, or if you suspect anxiety. RSPCA UK suggests asking your vet for advice first, then a referral to a qualified behaviour expert, such as an ABTC-registered clinical animal behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist in the UK.3 Elsewhere, ask your vet for a veterinary behaviourist or a certified behaviour consultant who uses reward-based methods only. Get help, too, if your dog guards stolen items, growls or snaps when you try to take things away. Our editorial policy explains why we only recommend reward-based help.
Common questions
My Weimaraner only chews when I'm out. Is that boredom?
It might be, but it can also be separation anxiety. Film your dog while you are out. If you see pacing, whining or damage near doors and windows, read our separation anxiety guide.
Will my Weimaraner grow out of chewing?
Puppy teething passes, but chewing is a normal dog behaviour all their life. Give them things they are allowed to chew, and keep everything else out of reach.
Footnotes
-
RSPCA UK, Recognising separation-related behaviour and anxiety in dogs. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
-
AVSAB, position statement on rank-based theories in behaviour modification: avsab.org. ↩ ↩2
-
AVSAB, Position statement on humane dog training (2021). ↩ ↩2 ↩3
-
RSPCA Australia, Why is enrichment important for dogs? ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
-
Pet Professional Guild, Guiding principles. ↩
Sources
- RSPCA UK: Recognising separation-related behaviour and anxiety in dogs
- RSPCA Australia: Why is enrichment important for dogs?
- AVSAB: Position statement on humane dog training (2021)
- AVSAB: Position statement on the use of dominance theory in behavior modification of animals
- Pet Professional Guild: Guiding principles
- RSPCA UK: Find a clinical animal behaviourist
Something wrong or out of date? Request a correction.