CHEWING AND DESTRUCTION PROBLEMS QUESTIONAIRE

1. Does your dog tend to chew the same thing or a whole variety of things?
a) The same thing
b) A variety of things

2. What type of things is he more likely to chew if given the opportunity?
a) Carpets, furniture, plants, etc.
b) Personal items, clothing, shoes, handbags, etc.?

3. If he chews personal items, do they belong to one particular person?
a) Yes
b) No

4. If he chews non-personal items, is the destruction centered around exits such as doors and windows?
a) Yes
b) No

5. Does he only chew when he has no access to you (i.e. locked in another room) or when you are present even though he has access to you?
a) Yes
b) No

6. Is your dog happy to be isolated from you in any room (with the door closed)?
a) Yes
b) No

7. If the destruction is sometimes or always accompanied by defecation or urination, is there just one spot to clear up or are there many?
a) One
b) Many

8. Would your dog be likely to chew when left for:
a) More than half an hour
b) Less than an hour

9. Is he always destructive when left by himself?
a) Yes
b) No

10. When you return, does your dog:
a) Avoid you
b) Greet you

11. If your dog greets you after something has been destroyed is he:
a) Very excited and happy to see you
b) Stressed, anxious, over attached to for some time after

Now add up how many A answers and how many B answers you have, and to the answer key.

Written by Penny Scott-Fox, Pasadena Humane Society Behavior Counselor.  If you have any questions regarding this program, feel free to send an email to penny@phsspca.org.

If you find this program helpful, please make a donation to the Pasadena Humane Society. You can donate online or mail a check made out to PHS to:

BEST Training
Pasadena Humane Society
361 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105