Great!
Perhaps not the answer you were expecting? Let me explain.
Shredding (dissecting) is an important part of the predatory motor pattern in dogs, and when they rip their toys, this is a need they are meeting, rather than being "naughty"! It can be more common in breeds such as terriers, bull breeds and collies, but all dog breeds can have a predisposal for this behaviour. It is particularly common in puppies and adolescent dogs as they lose teeth and their adult teeth settle into their maturing skull. It is great for providing relief for teething pain and can be seen more often for dogs experiencing stress. It is often described as a "destructive" behaviour by people.
Shredding is one of my favourite things to provide an outlet for with my own dogs and with clients. It's a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Giving them an outlet for this behaviour helps them meet that need and prevents them directing this behaviour into things we'd rather they didn't dissect (slippers, children's toys, their bed - looking at you, Honey!).
Shredding can also be an indicator for frustration when we are engaged with an enrichment activity with our dogs. If we give our dogs a snuffle mat or ball and they try to dissect it, it could be their way of communicating to us that the activity is either not meaningful for them (and they want to shred) or that the activity is too complex and they are shredding to get to the food.
It's also just great fun for them and prevents boredom!
Shredding as enrichment
There are lots of ways we can provide shredding activities as a form of enrichment.
Destruction boxes are fantastic - a cardboard box filled with paper and toilet roll tubes for them to rip to their heart's content! Food can be added but it can be a fulfilling activity on it's own. "Opening" up dog-safe packaging is also great. I also like to buy cuddly toys from charity shops for the dogs to disembowel (remove any eyes, noses or other nonfabric pieces before giving to your dog).
Fleece shredding balls are a great outlet - these are strips of fleece tied together - I have some in my store alongside cage shredding balls where strips of fleece are stuffed and rolled into a holee roller style ball to be extracted. The fleece can be washed in the washing machine and is tumble dryer safe too.
Wool - sheep or alpaca - is also a great material for shredding and I have some sheep's wool cage balls available. This is Honey's absolute favourite thing to shred!
Of all the enrichment activities we do with our dogs, shredding requires the most supervision, to prevent them from moving to the "consume" part of the predatory motor sequence. All enrichment should be supervised for safety, but particularly shredding to ensure nothing is eaten!