How to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing
Puppy Teething The desire to investigate interesting objects and the discomfort of teething motivate puppies to chew. Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as their adult teeth come in. This intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age. Some recommend giving puppies ice cubes, special dog toys that can be frozen or frozen wet washcloths to chew, which might help numb teething pain. Although puppies do need to chew on things, gentle guidance can teach your puppy to restrict chewing to appropriate objects, like his own toys.
Normal Chewing Behavior Chewing is a perfectly normal behavior for dogs of all ages. Both wild and domestic dogs spend hours chewing bones. This activity keeps their jaws strong and their teeth clean. Dogs love to chew on bones, sticks and just about anything else available. They chew for fun, they chew for stimulation, and they chew to relieve anxiety. While chewing behavior is normal, dogs sometimes direct their chewing behavior toward inappropriate items. Both puppies and adult dogs should have a variety of appropriate and attractive chew toys. However, just providing the right things to chew isn’t enough to prevent inappropriate chewing. Dogs need to learn what is okay to chew and what is not. They need to be taught in a gentle, humane manner.
Lack of Exercise or Mental Stimulation
Some dogs simply do not get enough physical and mental stimulation. Bored dogs tend look for ways to entertain themselves, and chewing is one option. To prevent destructive chewing, be sure to provide plenty of ways for your dog to exercise his mind and body. Great ways to accomplish this include daily walks and outings, off-leash play with other dogs, tug and fetch games, clicker training classes, dog sports (agility, freestyle, flyball, etc.), and feeding meals in food puzzle toys.
Stress and Frustration Sometimes a dog will chew when experiencing something that causes stress, such as being crated near another animal he doesn’t get along with or getting teased by children when confined in a car. To reduce this kind of chewing, try to avoid exposing your dog to situations that make him nervous or upset.
Dogs who are prevented from engaging in exciting activities sometimes direct biting, shaking, tearing and chewing at nearby objects. Shelter dogs and puppies sometimes grab and shake blankets or bowls in their kennels whenever people walk by because they’d like attention. When they don’t get it, their frustration is expressed through destructive behavior. A dog who sees a squirrel or cat run by and wants to chase but is behind a fence might grab and chew at the gate. A dog watching another dog in a training class might become so excited by the sight of his canine classmate having fun that he grabs and chews his leash. (Agility and Flyball dogs are especially prone to this behavior because they watch other dogs racing around and having a great time, and they want to join in the action.) The best intervention for this problem is to anticipate when frustration might happen and give your dog an appropriate toy for shaking and tearing. In a class situation, carry a tug or stuffed toy for your dog to hold and chew. If your dog is frustrated by animals or objects on the other side of a fence or gate at home, tie a rope toy to something sturdy by the gate or barrier. Provide shelter dogs and puppies with toys and chew bones in their kennels. Whenever possible, teach them to approach the front of their kennels and sit quietly to solicit attention from passersby.
What NOT to Do
Rule Out Problems That Can Cause Destructive Chewing
Separation Anxiety Dogs who chew to relieve the stress of separation anxiety usually only chew when left alone or chew most intensely when left alone. They also display other signs of separation anxiety, such as whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, urination and defecation. To learn more about separation anxiety and how to treat it, please see our article, Separation Anxiety.
Fabric Sucking Some dogs lick, suck and chew at fabrics. Some experts believe that this behavior results from having been weaned too early (before seven or eight weeks of age). If a dog’s fabric-sucking behavior occurs for lengthy periods of time and it’s difficult to distract him when he attempts to engage in it, it’s possible that the behavior has become compulsive. If you think this might be the case with your dog, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, for information about finding a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized training and experience in treating compulsive behavior.
Hunger A dog on a calorie-restricted diet might chew and destroy objects in an attempt to find additional sources of nutrition. Dogs usually direct this kind of chewing toward objects related to food or that smell like food.
Some breeds or the crosses of certain breeds can be terrific chewers all their lives. Many hunting and sporting breeds—such as retrievers and setters—are prone to chewing. Terriers, active dogs who bore easily, often chew.
You must know the reason for destructive chewing behavior in order to correct it. Puppies usually grow out of chewing behavior; having any retained teeth surgically removed will reduce the need to teethe on your prized possessions. Psychological reasons are a bit harder to figure out. If you have moved recently, gotten a new pet or started working different hours, your dog might chew to relieve stress or anxiety. Providing her with interactive toys or “legal” chew items may stop boredom-related chewing of, say, the furniture. And, most of all, if you don’t want her to chew your things—dont leave them where she can reach them!
In addition, very small dogs or those with rounded skulls and pushed-in faces (brachycephalic breeds) can sometimes retain a number of teeth long after they are supposed to fall out on their own. If puppy teeth do not fall out on their own, your dog may feel discomfort or even pain from too many teeth being crowded into her mouth. Ouch! Retained baby teeth can cause your dog to chew well into her adult years, as well as causing tooth decay and misaligned teeth.
However, dogs do not chew because they are “getting back” at you. Your Princess might chew because you left her alone, but shes not being spiteful. If Princess chews your good slippers while you are at work, it usually means she was bored or nervous and your slippers were where she could reach them.
Most dogs teethe when they are puppies. When puppies are teething, between the ages of 3 and 6 months of age, they are also chewing! After your puppy’s baby teeth are gone, she’ll usually stop chewing over time, since the discomfort from her new teeth has disappeared.
Do dogs grow out of chewing?
Sooner or later, many dog lovers return home to find some unexpected damage inflicted on their furniture, shoes or other items by their dog or, more specifically, their dogs teeth. Although dogs make great use of their vision and sense of smell to explore the world, one of their favorite ways to take in new information is to put their mouths to work.
Fortunately, chewing can be directed to appropriate items so your dog isnt destroying things you value or jeopardizing their own safety.
Until theyve learned what they can and cant chew, however, the best medicine is prevention. By setting your dog up for success, you can avoid having to replace your favorite chair or paying for an expensive visit to the veterinarian when your dog has ingested something dangerous.
Puppies, like infants and toddlers, explore their world by putting objects in their mouths. And, like babies, they teethe for about six months, which usually creates some discomfort. Chewing not only facilitates teething, but also makes sore gums feel better.
Adult dogs may engage in destructive chewing for any number of reasons, including as a coping strategy for stress and boredom. In order to stop the behavior, you must first determine why your dog is chewing—and remember, they are not doing it to spite you. Possible reasons for destructive chewing include:
If you believe your dog’s chewing is related to serious anxiety, you may need to consult a behavior professional for help with both separation anxiety and fear-related behaviors. Top 10 tips
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Take responsibility for your own belongings. If you dont want it in your dogs mouth, dont make it available. Keep clothing, shoes, books, trash, eyeglasses and remote controls out of your dogs reach. Putting trash in a cupboard or blocking off areas with enticing items is the easiest way to prevent mistakes.
Give your dog toys that are clearly distinguishable from household goods. Dont confuse them by offering shoes and socks as toys and then expecting them to distinguish between their shoe and yours.
Supervise your dog until they are consistently chewing on appropriate items. Keep them with you on their leash in the house so they cant make a mistake out of your sight or only give them access to certain rooms of your home. Choose a “safe place” thats dog-proof and provide fresh water and “safe” toys. If your dog is crate trained, you may also place them in their crate for short periods of time. Remember, crates should never be used for punishment and should be a space where your dog feels safe. Exercise pens and baby gates are also helpful tools.
Give your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise. If your dog is bored, theyll find something to do to amuse themselves. On the other hand, a tired dog is a good dog, so make sure they get lots of physical and mental activity. The amount of exercise should be based on their age, health and breed characteristics. While daily walks and other outdoor time are crucial to their well-being, letting your dog sniff will be more enriching than trying to power walk two miles without stopping. For dogs who enjoy the company of other dogs, a well-run doggy daycare can be an excellent choice for high-energy pups.
Build toys into your daily routine. Instead of bowls, put their food in a puzzle toy or fill a Kong-type toy with their kibble. For more advanced chewers, cover the openings of the puzzle toy with canned cheese or peanut butter and freeze overnight before giving it to them. And be sure to keep a rotation of toys—novel items are way more fun for your dog than chewing on the same toy from last year. Keep some toys hidden and bring them out when you need to keep your dog occupied.
If you catch your dog chewing on something they shouldnt, trade them for a toy that is appropriate. If the item they picked is so much fun they won’t give it up, keep high value treats on hand to trade it out. As your dog catches on to this idea, you can add the command “give” as their cue to release the object in exchange for the treat. Removing items from your dog’s mouth can cause your dog to develop guarding behaviors or run from you when you need to get an item back.
If your puppy is teething, try freezing a rubber toy; the cold rubber will soothe their gums. As always, supervise your puppy so they dont chew and swallow any pieces.
Make items unpleasant to your dog. Furniture and other items can be coated with a taste deterrent (such as Bitter Apple®) to make them unappealing. Caution: Supervise your dog when you first try one of these deterrents. Some dogs will chew an object even if its coated with a taste deterrent. Also be aware that you must reapply some of these deterrents to maintain their effectiveness.
Dont chase your dog if they grab an object and run. If you chase them, you are only giving your dog what they want. Being chased by their human is fun! Instead, call them to you and offer them a treat.
Have realistic expectations. At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value; this is often part of the transition to a new home. Your dog needs time to learn where and what the appropriate chew toys are. Take precautions and keep things out of their reach to set them up for success.
There may be times when you’re panicked over what your dog is chewing—such as a bottle of medication—which is why training them to trade you for treats will ensure they give up even the most fun items. Scolding or pulling things out of your dog’s mouth can cause behavior issues to develop. Why risk your dog’s trust when positive reinforcement methods are more effective? And that “guilty look” is actually a canine submissive posture that dogs show when they feel threatened or unsafe. When youre angry and upset, your dog feels threatened by your tone of voice, body language and/or facial expressions, so they may hide or show submissive postures. Building and maintaining a positive, trusting relationship with your dog is the foundation of a happy life together!