Many pet owners experience home and furniture damage from their four-legged friends, with damaged carpets and chewed-up couches topping owners’ monthly concerns.
Sol Place, a leading pet-friendly furniture brand, analyzed Google monthly search data to identify the top dog behavior concerns most frequently associated with home damage, as well as pinpointing the worst-affected areas.
Sol Place has partnered with Shelby Semel, certified dog trainer and founder of Shelby Semel Dog Training, to explain why these behaviors occur and how dog owners can recognize the subtle signs of stress that can often trigger these behaviors, to prevent damage down the line.
(Shelby Semel)
The data conducted by Sol Place shows that dog behavior concerns are overwhelmingly dominated by ‘peeing’, which accounts for more than 56% of monthly behavior-related searches (10,640 searches per month). ‘Peeing’ is searched over twice as frequently as the second most common concern, ‘chewing’, which contributes to 25% of monthly searches.
Together, peeing and chewing make up approximately 80% of searches across the top five problematic behaviors, indicating how heavily pet owners’ concerns are concentrated around these two issues.
While less prevalent, behaviors such as ‘scratching’ (4.7%) and ‘ripping’ (4%) still rank among the top five most common behavior concerns.
Soft surfaces emerge as the worst-affected areas. Carpets and rugs are the leading target with over 38.6% of monthly concerns, which is nearly five times as many as doors (7.95%). Couches follow as the second-worst-affected spot in the house (25.4%).
Incidents involving carpets and couches clearly stand out as the most common and problematic scenarios for pet owners, emphasizing a strong link between indoor accidents and soft household furnishings, while hardwearing surfaces such as walls (4.4%) and chair legs (1.3%) are much less affected.
Sean Yap, Founder at Sol Place, comments on the findings, “For many pet owners, daily life means managing common behaviors like accidents, scratching, and chewing, especially on furniture and soft surfaces. When routines or environments change, these can lead to unpredictable behaviors that not only affect our beloved pets but could also create real stress at home. That’s why practical, durable furniture is essential for living comfortably without constantly worrying about potential damage.”
(Shelby Semel)
Shelby Semel, Certified Dog Trainer, says, “Many dogs experience stress long before owners can notice the obvious behavioral signs like barking or destruction. Increased noise level, changes in routine or environments, unfamiliar people or animals, can all trigger stress and anxiety in dogs, contributing to behavioral concerns like chewing on sofas or urinating on rugs. That’s why it’s even more important for owners to be aware of the subtle signs of stress to help their dogs remain calm and relaxed.”
Is your dog exhibiting signs of stress? Shelby Semel shares tips to help dogs reduce stress:
- Recognize sensory overload early
Busy, loud, and unpredictable environments can be a sensory overload for dogs, as they process sound and smell more intensely.
Shelby says, “When dogs are exposed to excessive stimulations, stress can build up faster. Limiting access to high-traffic areas and providing a calm, familiar space for your dog can prevent behaviors from escalating. When visiting unfamiliar places, bring a long-lasting chew or their favorite puzzle toy to keep them occupied.”
- Spot the subtle signs of stress
Dogs rarely go straight from calm to chaos; stress builds subtly in ways that pet owners can often miss. Even a slight change in routine can trigger a rise in tension, resulting in a bigger reaction.
Shelby says, “Pay attention to the subtle ‘whisper’ signs, before your dog feels the need to ‘scream’. Panting, lip licking, yawning, pacing, checking exits, whale eye, pinned ears, or hiding are indicators of discomfort and stress. Intervening at this stage, by offering a quiet space or enrichment, can help prevent behavior outbursts.”
- Give dogs choice and control
Forced interactions, blocked escape routes or crowded spaces can make dogs feel trapped, spiking stress and anxiety.
Shelby says, “Let your dogs retreat to a safe area whenever they choose. Respect their boundaries, and don’t force them to socialize with other dogs or humans to help reduce stress-driven behaviors.”
- Manage the environment
Sudden noises and high-energy activities can trigger arousal, anxiety, or resource guarding in dogs. Proactively managing their surroundings can help prevent stress.
Shelby says, “Use gates or pens to limit access to vulnerable or higher traffic areas. Provide enrichment activities like puzzle toys, stuffed kongs, nose work, or long-lasting chews to redirect their energy productively.”
- Prepare dogs for unpredictable environments
Unfamiliar environments, other pets, or new routines can heighten stress. Gradually preparing your dog for different environments can help them feel secure.
Shelby says, “Structure careful introductions if meeting resident pets for the first time. These can be practices such as parallel outdoor walks, leashed entries for a quick and calm intervention, removing chews, food bowls, and favorite toys to reduce conflict.
“And if you’re visiting a new place, bring a dog guest kit with familiar items such as a bed, mat, or a folding playpen, along with enrichment tools and clean-up supplies. Having familiar items or scents from their usual routine can help dogs feel safe and settled in new environments.”
- Prioritize physical and mental stimulations
Dogs with not enough physical or mental engagement are more likely to act out. Regular stimulations can help them release energy healthily, allowing them to cope with stress more effectively.
Shelby says, “Schedule physical or enrichment activities like going for daily walks, training and scent games, or puzzle toys can help with regulating stress and releasing energy. A mentally and physically satisfied dog is far less likely to be reactive, and can cope better with new environments.”
- Anticipate realistic behavior
Dogs will behave like dogs; they’ll sniff and explore, or even react, especially in new or stimulating environments.
Shelby says, “Plan for natural dog behavior rather than expecting ‘perfect’ manners or reactions. Anticipate how your dog may respond, and put simple plans in place, like enrichment activities or safe zones. Clear expectations and preparations can make a big difference when it comes to minimizing disruptive behaviors in new or busy environments.”