Our ten-month old chews up the couch when we're gone

[Kara Andrade]

Hi there everyone,

I'm glad to be part of this community because things are definitely coming up in our family as we raise our first German Shepherd. One of the things we're having difficulties with is leaving our now neutered 10-month old alone for longer periods of time, say 2-3 hours. We usually play at the park with him and run with him for one hour, then feed him, leave him with a bone and some chew toys on Sundays before we go food shopping. But the last two times he's torn up part of the couch (always a different part) that we also religiously spray with Yuck spray. We don't yell at him or hit him in any way so I'm wondering if others have had this problem and what is the best solution for dealing with it? 

I've read the following on some forums:

• He is more than likely having separation anxiety so it could help to put him in his crate when we're gone and leaving all his toys in there with him. We're hesitant about doing this because when we were crate training the big no-no was leaving your dog in its crate unattended.
• Leaving him with in an isolated part of the house, like the small yard we have. He might dig up the yard, but it's still better than him destroying the couch.
• Start alone trainings with him.

Thughts? Comments?

Any information is greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Kara