Dog expert shares if you should be concerned if your pets are shredding paper
After coming home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to see is shredded paper and cardboard all over the floor. What's worse is seeing your cute furry friend amidst the destruction.
Many pet owners assume that this action is caused by destructive behaviour or stress. However, one dog expert has revealed what it really means when your four legged pals decide to start ripping things apart.
According to a dog trainer from Howl School of Dogs, shredding paper and cardboard boxes is actually a perfectly natural response for many pets, reports the Express.
READ MORE: DVLA warns drivers aged 70 and over they 'must' supply five documents
READ MORE: HMRC breaks silence over powers to check 'every' UK bank account
So what does it really mean when our pets decide that our floors need some shredded paper added to them?
In a TikTok video, the dog trainer states: “No, shredding doesn’t cause destructive behaviour in dogs.” This statement is accompanied with a video of a small terrier going to town on a paper bag.
She continues: “When a dog does this, it’s their way of acting out part of the predation motor sequence. So this part would be the shredding of their prey once they’ve caught it.
"For Norma, being a terrier, she enjoys catching rats and mice. If she was then going to consume them, she would tear them apart and eat them.”
The dog trainer is quite happy to let her dog tear up old boxes and paper that is lying around, but she is against allowing her pooch to go out catching and killing rodents. She added: “It doesn’t cause destructive behaviour.
"If anything it allows your dog to feel more chilled, more relaxed and you’ll probably find they’re a happier dog given this outlet.”
Dozens of people have liked and left comments on the TikTok video, as it has helped clear up their concerns. One person wrote: "One of the best things I was told to do – mine loves a cardboard box." While another added: "My boy loves shredding and I love watching the joy it gives him!"
A third TikTok user wrote: “Yes - my labradoodle very diligently and enjoyably shreds small boxes and McDonald’s cardboard cup holders into tiny pieces. But he is completely non destructive regarding anything else.”
A fourth said it keeps her pets out of extra trouble while she gets on with chores: “This is my favourite activity for my dogs for a few minutes of peace.”
As much as we now know that our pets breaking and shredding paper is harmless, we still need to make sure we are looking out for their safety. The dog expert shared that she "broke the handles off the bag" to avoid her little terrier being strangled.
Alternatively, some animal lovers decide to give their furry friend an enrichment toy. These toys are not only great for providing mental stimulation, they might also be able to help satisfy the pups natural instincts.
Overall, if you do have concerns that your pet is showing signs of destructive behaviour, it is recommended that you visit a professional for advice.
Much like humans, every dog is different, so getting advice or training from a behaviourist or trainer could be the most beneficial way to calm your worries.
