50 Hilariously Painful Pics To Show The Price You Sometimes Have To Pay When Getting A Dog

Your dog also requires mental stimulation. The AKC recommends dog puzzles, which you can even make on your own. Training sessions, socialization, interactive toys and even playing also count. 

Veterinarian Jeannine Berger writes for PetMD: "Ditch the food bowl and offer food only in food-dispensing toys. Use boxes to offer your dog something they can dig into with their teeth and claws and find a treat hidden inside."

This was already mentioned above, but is a very important thing, so bear with me. No amount of punishment or yelling will make your dog understand that destructive behavior is not okay. Experts agree that punishing a dog for being destructive will only make their behavior worse.

Jeannine Berger writes: "If your dog destroys items because they are anxious, punishment only makes things worse in the long run by setting training back, making your dog’s anxiety and fear worse, and breaking the human-animal bond." If you catch your pup in the act, redirect its attention to a toy or something appropriate.

Sometimes a dog may need professional help to alleviate their urge to act destructively. If you're not sure about the causes of their behavior, don't hesitate to contact a veterinarian, trainer or behaviorist.

In some cases, even all the above-mentioned strategies might not work and the dog may need help from a professional. They can address the issue with some behavior modification techniques.