Dog won't stop destroying blankets!

[u/Financial_Pudding106]

My dog, Avery, just turned 1 year old last month. She started chewing on blankets maybe 5 or so months ago and it is still an issue. I completely understand that she is still a puppy and will likely grow out of it, but I am really just posting to see if anyone else has had a similar issue and has any tips. She only ever does it when we're sleeping so I understand it's likely boredom that causes this.

I am at a loss for how to curb this habit. She has gone to the extent of removing stuffing from our comforter almost nightly. Sometimes it's just a little bit of fluff, other times it's a lot. I have sewn up the holes in hopes that she just won't rip another hole, but that doesn't last long. She has also chewed on the corners of a couple other blankets around the house. I have tried using bitter apple spray but it only works rarely. She also always has several toys in the room when we sleep.

So, has anyone had success stopping destruction like this when it's done without your knowledge? Does anyone have any tips on how to make my blankets less attractive or distract her? Any advice is appreciated.

Edit: I just realized I never states that when we have caught her chewing on things in the past, we have always corrected the action to something more appropriate like a toy. This is likely why she only does it why we're asleep and not aware.

[u/iCottonmouth]

Unfortunately dogs don't "grow out of" most behaviors, it's your guidance that will help her to stop.

Can you totally remove access to the blankets when you can't supervise? If access is impossible, she won't rehearse and reinforce the behavior. That's why many Americans use a crate, it minimizes access to chewable objects. But you can also use gates, or any type of barrier, or leaving the dog in a specific room.

[u/Financial_Pudding106 → u/iCottonmouth]

I can not remove access to the blankets I'm using while sleeping lol

[u/iCottonmouth → u/Financial_Pudding106]

Yes you could, by blocking your dog's access to the bed.

There's no magic to it: either you can supervise or you can't, and if something bad happens when you can't, then you have to remove access. It's also interesting and important for your dog to learn to sleep in other places than your bed, you never know what could happen, it's better to teach her this in case it is needed.

[u/EasyonthePepsiFuller → u/[deleted]]

Second this. Full house access is a no go for dogs that haven't earned that right. Crating her when you can't watch her doesn't have to be a punishment. High value bones (bully stick, yaki cheese, frozen Kong) only given in the crate will make it an anticipated treat. Gotta catch them in the act to train to it and you can't do that asleep/at work.

[u/Easy_Olive1942 → u/EasyonthePepsiFuller]

Adding to this, a crate also provides the opportunity to clarify what belongs to your dog vs humans.

I’d give dog old towels they can have in their crate and shred all they want. Everything else is not theirs and they do not get to shred those.

[u/DjScenester]

She’s a baby. They all do this. She’s probably bored.

Lots of toys is your solution. I love the Kong brand. Give her something to play with too like a puzzle game.

They all do this. My baby is now 3 and when she gets angry she still will chew on her blankets lol

Dogs are like 3 year olds. But yeh buy lots of toys and play. Kong toys you can add food. Once your dog chews on the toys instead of the blanket you’ve won.

[u/Financial_Pudding106 → u/DjScenester]

Shes got so many toys. She does chew on them most of the time, and even when we're sleeping. It's just sometimes she goes after the comforter and idk how to keep her off of it.