Hey Woofa’s,

I recently heard a story of a couple who were off to the shops to buy indestructible dog beds for their dogs, who kept ripping them up when the family went out.

They were told these beds have a smell that stops dogs from destroying them.

My immediate thought was, ‘there’s no such thing’!

I have had Staffies since I was 7 years of age, if anyone knows what destruction is, it’s a staffy owner lol.

That’s not to say that other breeds don’t destroy!

I’ve had my naive experiences of believing that something was indestructible only to bring it home and to have it destroyed in front of my own eyes.

I remember buying Billy a bed as an adolescent, I read that it was double strength so they can’t get through it.

He had this habit of scratching his bed up which would lead to him ripping through it.

I believed the double strength was the go.

Within a day he’d scratched his way through it!

What I ended up getting him was a small round exercise trampoline that humans jump on to exercise.  Trampoline material no matter how hard he scratched at it, he never got through.

Sometimes you just have to get creative.

I’ve also brought home toys that I was told were indestructible!  NO SUCH THING!

I’ve had Dean take a toy back to the shop and show them that their indestructible product was in pieces!

It can become very expensive after a while, so here’s what you need to know about indestructible dog products.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INDESTRUCTIBLE DOG PRODUCTS!

I’ve had dogs destroy, collars, leads, beds, heat beds, bowls, kennels, blankets, pillows, walls, blinds, door frames, toys – balls (including golf balls), rope, squeaky toys, some kong brands.

I feel like you name it I’ve seen it destroyed!

1. If your dog is determined to get through something they will, no matter how much someone tells you it’s indestructible.
2. Just because someone in a shop tells you it’s indestructible don’t believe it, question it!
3. Just because a label tells you it’s indestructible don’t believe it.
4. Always check the reviews on the product before buying it.
5. Research the crap out of the product before buying it.
6. If someone insists something is indestructible, ask them how they know?  What breeds of dogs have they tried it on?
7. Check to see if the product is breed specific.
8. If someone is deadset on a product being indestructible, ask them if they’ll give you a money back guarantee on their product.  This will make them put their money where their mouth is.
9. Smells coming from a product will not deter a determined dog in destroying something.
10. Know your dog’s capability BEFORE buying a product!

NOTHING IS INDESTRUCTIBLE when it comes to some dogs.

WHAT CAN I DO IF MY DOG IS A DESTROYER?

Firstly – if your dog is constantly destroying their bed, for instance, find out WHY?  This is a behavioural thing.

The dogs in the story above, only chewed their beds up each time the family left the home.  They weren’t getting attention from the kids anymore, or being walked because of all the rain we had.

My guess is they were bored and wanted attention from the family.

Billy scratching his bed was a behaviour, destroying his previous beds when a pup, was a puppy thing.

Secondly – if your dog is a big chewer, give them bones or dehydrated foods/treats to chew on instead.

Chewing food/treats that are dehydrated is much more nutritional than toys.  A customer recently told me they give their dogs Deer Antlers or Goat Horns to chew.

It’s also better for their teeth.

Thirdly – definitely also give your dog toys, but they’re going to need to be specific for your dog.  Take into account their jaw size and how hard they chew.

For Billy’s sized mouth and jaw we found only the kong ball to suit him.  Other kong toys we’ve given him he’s gotten through except the ball.

We get him a size ball that he has to keep his mouth open to hold onto it.

The ball in his mouth in the picture is a soda pop ball that we got from the Dog Lovers Show.

We were looking at them and the guy told us it was indestructible and he saw me roll my eyes.

I informed him we had a staffy who gets through pretty much everything.  He got my interest when he told us this came with a 30 day money back guarantee.

So if Billy got through it within 30 days we’d get our money back.  That was 4 years ago I think and apart from the few scratches you can see, he has not destroyed it.

It was worth the money.

Lastly – Know your Dog!

Work out if it’s a behavioural thing that’s causing the constant destruction or is it how they like to chew.

Billy’s toy is a ball, he’s got a few around the house.

He does naw on them which is why we get a size he can’t swallow.  Sometimes though he likes to just carry them around in his mouth, or just hold them in his mouth.

You’ve got to work out what toys will suit YOUR DOG!  You know your dog best.

When in doubt, ask other people who have the same breed as you or those who have dogs who like to chew.

Just know that you’re not on your own!

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Don’t buy into the ‘indestructible’ sell when buying your dog products.

Always research the product before you buy it for your dog.

It’s always best to know your dog’s habits and capabilities BEFORE buying their dog products.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOUR DOG HAS DESTROYED THE INDESTRUCTIBLE?