How to Reduce Destructive Behavior With Enrichment Games
I used to come home to chewed shoes, shredded pillows, and furniture legs that looked like they’d been attacked by a beaver. It was frustrating — and honestly, I thought my dog was just being “bad.” But once I learned how to use enrichment games to reduce destructive behavior, everything changed.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I used mental enrichment to stop my dog from chewing, digging, and destroying things — and how you can do it too. If you want the full brain training program that worked for us, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Destructive Behavior Happens
Most dogs don’t chew or dig because they’re “bad.” They do it because they’re:
- Bored
- Under-stimulated
- Lacking a “job” to do
- Full of unused mental energy
- Anxious or stressed
That’s why adding enrichment games works so well — it satisfies their brain and gives them positive outlets for that energy.
The Changes I Saw
Once I started using enrichment games regularly:
- Chewing decreased dramatically
- No more destroyed pillows or furniture
- My dog was calmer during the day
- Less pacing and whining
- Better overall behavior
The Enrichment Games That Worked for Us
Puzzle Feeders
Turning meals into brain work gave my dog a daily challenge — and tired her out mentally.
Scent Work
Scent games satisfied her natural drive to hunt and explore — which reduced digging and destructive chewing.
Engagement Games
Teaching her to focus on me gave her a positive way to burn off energy and build confidence.
Trick Training
Learning new tricks replaced boredom with accomplishment — and helped prevent frustration.
Here’s the exact program that taught me how to use these games effectively:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
The Results
After a few weeks of consistent mental enrichment:
- My dog no longer needed to “find her own entertainment”
- Chewing was down by 90%
- Less digging in the yard
- Calmer, more relaxed energy
- A happier home for both of us!
Final Thoughts
If your dog is showing destructive behavior, don’t just try to correct it — meet their mental needs with the right enrichment games, and you’ll see the behavior improve naturally.
For us, this was the program that worked:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Trust me — a mentally satisfied dog is a well-behaved dog. You’ll be amazed how quickly destructive habits can fade when their brain is engaged!
Before I added enrichment games, I kept trying to physically tire out my dog — thinking that more walks would stop the chewing and digging. But even after long walks, I’d still come home to a mess. That’s when I realized her mind needed more stimulation, not just her body.
The first week I introduced mental enrichment, the change was obvious — she started settling down after meals instead of searching for something to destroy.
If you’re unsure where to start, this is the exact program that gave me all the tools I needed:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
Another thing that really helped was learning to rotate different games — puzzle feeders one day, scent games the next, trick training another. This variety kept my dog engaged and curious — instead of getting bored and destructive.
Even just 10–15 minutes a day made a huge difference. It wasn’t about doing hours of training — it was about giving her brain a regular outlet for that energy.
And because the games were fun and positive, they actually strengthened our bond — which helped reduce anxiety-driven behaviors too.
One of the biggest benefits I noticed was that my dog became more calm and content overall. When her mental needs were met, she was less reactive, less clingy, and far less likely to get into trouble.
I also learned that destructive behavior is often a symptom, not the real problem. Once I focused on keeping her brain engaged, those habits started to fade naturally.
Another great thing? Enrichment games work beautifully for dogs of all ages — from high-energy puppies to seniors who need to stay mentally sharp.
If your dog tends to “get into things” when left alone, mental stimulation is one of the best ways to reduce those behaviors — it teaches your dog to be calmer and more independent.
This is exactly the program that showed me how to do it:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Now, I can leave the house without worrying about what I’ll come home to — and my dog is happier and more relaxed every day.
If you want to experience the same transformation, enrichment games are the way to go — and this program makes it simple to get started:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
You’ll be amazed how quickly destructive habits can fade when your dog’s mind is fully engaged — and how much more peaceful your home can be!
Another thing I noticed was that once my dog’s mental needs were being met, she was also much easier to train in other areas. With fewer distractions and less pent-up frustration, her focus improved dramatically.
If you’re currently dealing with a dog who’s tearing up the house, trust me — this is the exact program that finally worked for us:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
And it doesn’t take fancy equipment. Many of the best enrichment games can be done with things you already have at home — or with simple puzzle toys and training sessions.
Plus, once you and your dog get into the habit, it becomes something fun you both enjoy — not just a “fix” for bad behavior.
In fact, I now look forward to our daily brain games as much as my dog does — and seeing her so calm and content afterward makes it all worth it.
If you’re ready to turn destructive energy into positive mental engagement, this is where I’d start:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out