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8 Most Destructive Small Dog Breeds To Own (Explained)

Are you wondering what are the most destructive small dog breeds to own? Well, as you may know, biting and chewing is a natural behavior for dogs. A dog will do this to greet you, play with you, and get attention. They will also do this when they want to attack or defend themselves.

If you let your dog roam free then they will act out just to show you how they feel. And we all know this is not good behavior! Your goal should be to teach your dog that biting is wrong behavior.

This is easy. Just firmly say “No” each time and stick to it. Then take a long hard look at yourself. What caused your dog to bite? Destructive dog breeds that chew and bite are usually insecure and afraid of their owners. They feel threatened by other dogs and even small children.

They are in constant fear of being abandoned. The best way to stop this behavior is to start training a dog that is submissive. You want your dog to understand what it feels like to have control over its surroundings.

Once a dog has this understanding then biting will become a thing of the past. The reason that some people do not seem to be able to train their dog is that they just don’t understand how the dog thinks or why it does what it does.

It is really as simple as teaching them how to communicate with you. By using body language, verbal commands, and positive reinforcement you can train your dog anytime. It is as simple as taking your dog for a walk and saying “Sit” if he sits on your lap. If he doesn’t then say “Bite” and clap your hands.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

They tend to get over-excited and have a boisterous personality that can cause some destruction in a home. Chihuahuas can be very destructive when they are lonely, feeling threatened, or depressed. When you don’t give them enough attention or play with them enough, they can get over-excited and start acting out. When this happens there is usually damage caused to some part of the house. This can include tearing up furniture, scooting up carpet, or knock over small children’s toys.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 640.00 USD

Dachshund

Dachshund

Are Dachshunds destructive?” The short answer is, in general, yes. As a breed of dog, they can be quite headstrong and may take over control in the household. However, like any dog, they must be trained so that they will learn to respect the authority of their master. Although they have a short attention span and need a lot of exercise, they do have the potential to become very intelligent. If they are properly socialized and trained, they can be quite obedient.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 445.00

Beagle

Beagle

Beagles have their own habits, which make them destructive to homes in general. For example, beagles will often destroy everything in sight. This means they can destroy your furniture, your appliances, your books, anything that you think you might be able to get away with. Another common trait of beagles is digging. They are not the type of dogs to simply dig and bury their bones for good. This is because they get bored easily.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 400.00

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terriers are highly dominant and destructive dogs. They will chew, bark, dig, and destroy your belongings without provocation. They have no respect for anything or anyone, and this can be a real challenge to train and teach. But don’t despair as this particular dog is one of the easiest breeds to train and will typically respond well to training.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 240.00

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

If you’re looking for a guard dog or want a pet who’ll bark non-stop, you may want to consider a West Highland White Terrier. While most West Highland White Terriers are calm and mild-mannered when picked up, this particular dog can be fierce if left loose. In fact, some highland white terriers have been known to carry out violent activities. This can also happen with children, as the dog has a tendency to show aggression toward them as well. Because they have a very strong temperament, west highland white terriers can be quite a handful.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 235.00

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

One of the first things you should know about are Yorkshire terriers is that they can be highly destructive when they are bored. The breed is known for being very playful and hyper. This means that your terriers will want to run around the house and get into everything. While this breed loves to get into everything, it does this at the expense of you and your other members of the family. While this breed is not the type of dog that will destroy your home, it will chew on furniture, shoes, and anything else in your home that it can fit its teeth into.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 205.00

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a wonderful, unique breed of dog. They’re gentle with kids and are great companions for homes where children are around. Unfortunately, Shih Tzus can become very defensive when people get too close to them. Shih Tzu’s that have been neglected or left unsupervised may also be destructive. Their constant barking or howling can make it impossible to tolerate. Shih Tzu’s that is not properly socialized can turn into aggressive outcasts and suffer from serious psychological problems.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 195.00

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier has a very playful nature and they have some pent up energy that they cannot control, they can still be destructive to your home. They love to chew, bite, and dig. Their energy level is high when they are a puppy but they can lose it very quickly if they don’t receive proper exercise. They also can be very defensive of their home if they feel threatened, which can lead to them chasing wires, ripping up carpet or other household items.

Average Destruction Costs: $ 180.00

Author

  • Karin S

    Welcome to All About My Small Dog, where my love for small dogs and years of hands-on experience meet your need for trusted information. As a dedicated small dog enthusiast and pet parent, I'm deeply committed to sharing expert insights, reliable advice, and a community of support. Every blog you read here is crafted with the utmost care, guided by my passion and expertise. You can trust that you're in the right place for valuable insights and a warm community that understands the unique joys and challenges of small dog ownership. Together, we'll make sure your small dog's world is filled with love, care, and knowledge.

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