Shredding, Tearing and Ripping - Oh My!

Does your dog love to destroy things and de-stuff their toys?

Far from them being naughty, this is actually a very normal and natural behaviour for dogs. Stemming from their natural hunting and food gathering instincts, when a dog has captured their prey, they will ‘dissect’ it to get to the parts they want. It’s a behaviour that’s deep rooted inside of them and passed down, which means it’s something they’ll find a way of doing, whether you like it or not.

Without appropriate outlets for this shredding type behaviour, dogs are more likely to shred and destroy things you don’t want them to - like your sofa cushions, plants, blankets, their bedding and so on.

Shredding and dissecting are also great ways to help your dog de-stress and can work as a calming activity, especially after something exciting like a walk or a play session.

So what CAN you give them to shred?

• Cardboard and paper - a great way to help break up your recycling into smaller pieces whilst enriching your dog at the same time! Be sure there’s no staples, tape or other additions that could hurt your dog though.

• Toys - it might be annoying if your dog keeps destroying the toys you give them, but this can count towards a safe outlet! Just be sure to remove the squeaker once you notice they’ve started pulling out stuffing. You can even keep the fun going by putting the stuffing back into the toy, along with some treats for them to find.

• Natural Chews - lots of pet shops have some great natural chew options that your dog can tear. Some even come with fur still attached. These might not be for everyone though!

• Head of Lettuce/Cabbage - a great, low calorie, edible and compostable option as an occasional shredding opportunity.

The Safety Bits:

• Always supervise shredding and swap for an edible or chew if your dog tends to swallow cardboard or paper. While a small amount is usually okay for them to pass through, this will depend on your dog’s size and health. Always err on the side of caution.

• Choose chew and toy sizes your dog can handle without choking; remove small pieces that come off.

• Pair enrichment with basic cues like ‘take it’, ‘drop’ and ‘all done’ to help make the expectations and context clear.

So to round up, giving dogs an allowed outlet to rip and tear is science supported enrichment that meets instinctive needs, reduces stress, and can protect your home, when done thoughtfully and safely.

Happy shredding!