[Iko Iko]

My dog is wonderful. He is super friendly to all people and all dogs. He does not jump, he knows commands and follows them, he is totally housebroken. We have had one MAJOR issue since I have had him. He is destructive when left alone. I will not crate him for fear that he will seriously injure himself. He has escaped every time I have preivously crated him, even when I padlocked the crate. He absolutely shreds everything in there with him. When he is alone in the house he will chew everything he can find, chairs, blinds, pots and pans, shoes, books, etc. However I have an electric fence for him and leave him outdoors when I am not home. He does just fine when left there. I have a dog door that he uses when I am home and goes in and out as he wishes. I would like for him to be able to do this when I'm not there as well.
It is now a serious issue since I am trying to move into an apartment and he will have no choice but to be inside. He chews nothing when I am home so how do I reprimand a habit that only takes place when I am away. Please help me and Ike so we can get a cool new place and I can ahve furniture in it!

[Curbside Prophet]

1) Come and go as casually as possible.
2) Practice coming and going and extend the absence interval.
3) Practice NILF.
4) Teach your dog what is appropriate to chew on.
5) Do not reprimand if you don't catch your dog in the act. If you do catch him, a stern "No" and ostracism should be all you need to do. Redirect to an appropriate chew.
6) Exercise, exercise, exercise your dog.
7) Socialize your dog.
8) Teach him new skills or tricks.

[alundy]

My dog's inappropriate chewing is 90% eliminated when she is tired out from lots of exercise. I have noticed that on rainy days when we don't go for a walk, she is a little devil. In contrast, when we've gone for a doggy playdate, or swimming, or hiking, and she's worn herself out - she is so much better.