A question about the "guilty look" in dogs?

As for the guilty look - your dog was responding to your mother's body language. Your mom did NOT walk into the room and pick up the destroyed pillow as if she was picking up something she'd just dropped. She had a reaction even if she didn't think the dog noticed. Maybe her heart started racing. Dogs can hear a human heartbeat from quite far away (70 feet I think). Not only that, but their sense of smell might pick up the different hormones in our bodies, which are likely different when we're upset. Your mom didn't become upset when she started scolding your dog. She was upset when she picked up the pillow. It wouldn't surprise me if dogs could "smell" anger. There are stories about dogs sensing cancer in their owners. That's a very molecular thing.

For the second part of your question - I suggest buying him some of those toys that you can put a treat into. The ones where the dog has to work at for a while to get them out. Also... sometimes I play this song on a continuous loop for my dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSgPDKG6bB0 You can play it on YouTube replay's site if you want. It's a "predictable" song which pets tend to like. There's no surprise melody or beat or rise in volume. Some animal shelters actually use music at night to get dogs/cats to fall asleep. It might help your dog calm down, so he doesn't feel like he needs to play. Lastly, try taking your dog on a walk before you leave him alone. That way, he'll be more content to rest before you leave him.

Hope that helps :)

"she doesn't think so because our dog hid before she showed any sign of being upset."

Really? Then how does she explain that the dog didn't hide *before* she picked up the pillow? What happened is that dogs are EXPERTS at reading body language. He noted such things as your mom's change in intake of breath, stiffening of her body, quick movement to the cushion, perhaps even the look on her face. He knew from previous experience such actions mean he is going to get yelled at. That's why he hid. Did he know why he was being punished? Probably not.

The way you handled it was perfect. Bait the dog into misbehaving, then scold him in the act.

And yes, you DO crate him when no one is around to supervise. The more often he gets away with tearing up pillows and things, the more confused he will be that *sometimes* he doesn't get yelled at for doing it and other times he does. Once you start catching him EVERY time, it should become clear. And that's when you can start leaving him with the run of the house. Be aware though, that some dogs just love tearing things up and can't be totally broken of the habit. It's fun. In that case, crating becomes a permanent solution.

So, she thinks that she saw the torn pillow and she remained totally calm and was not upset? Bull. She started reacting as soon as she saw the pillow. Dogs are tuned in to read humans by thousands of years of living and working with us. Your dog can see when a family member is upset and it's time to become as invisible as possible.

The best way to keep a dog from destroying things is to keep him away from the things when you are not there to supervise. Why not crate when no one is home? What do you expect to teach him when no one is there?

Dogs observe us very well. Of course your dog ran and hid. I am 100% positive your dog knew your mom was angry. Body language, facial expression, tone of voice, sighs, what ever behavior she exhibits when angry, he saw. From experience he knew oh, she's mad, my butt has had it. I just do not understand why. What did I do? She came in, looked at me and got mad and I wasn't doing bad boy behavior. What is the problem? Better hide till she feels better.

You are 100% right about all of it. Your dog hid because he could sense your mothers actions. Dogs notice even the smallest of things. Your dog did not know he ruined her pillow and wasn't hiding because of that. He sensed your mom was angry or frustrated and that's why he hid.

Dog was picking up her energy. They FEEL our energy.