Chewing
Your precious pooch has gone and destroyed something. Whether it’s your furniture, your children’s toys, or the dog bed, it is downright annoying when you have to constantly clean up after your dog’s chewing escapades. And don’t forget the expense or that nagging fear that your dog may have ingested something harmful!
The bad news: All dogs need to chew.
The good news: You can help your dog chew appropriate items.
Chewing is normal for all dogs, but especially puppies. Puppies explore the world with their mouths and soothe the pain of teething through chewing. But why do adult dogs chew?
What dogs don’t do is chew out of spite. They chew what’s available. That may be your favorite shoe, but not because your dog is trying to get back at you.
Typically, if a dog runs off with a shoe, for example, we run after the dog while yelling, “NO. Give that back!” Your dog then either runs around with it to get you to chase or takes it under a table, so he can keep it more easily. Instead of playing that “game,” try walking over to your dog calmly and trading that shoe for an acceptable chew toy. If that toy has a favorite food inside or smeared on the outside, your dog is almost certain to choose the toy.
Give your dog a toy, or practice this when your dog already has a toy in his mouth. Say “Drop It” and put a yummy treat (like chicken, cheese, or a piece of hot dog) under your dog’s nose. Your dog will drop his toy to eat the treat. When your dog has finished the treat, give him back his toy. Repeat this game often. Your dog has just learned that “Drop It” means he gets something better. And as long as he has one of “his” own things, he gets that back too. Or course, if he has your pillow, he won’t get the pillow back, but that won’t ruin a “cue” he has learned through multiple repetitions.
Here are just a few:
Always supervise your dog when he is chewing an edible item. Sometimes, a dog can choke if he tries to swallow a large piece, or small, sharp pieces can chip off, causing tooth problems and, occasionally, more serious internal damage. Never give your dog cooked bones, since they can splinter. Also, remember that edible treats have calories. So, adjust your dog’s meal intake accordingly to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
When you come home and your dog “looks guilty,” it’s not because he knows he did something “wrong.” What he knows is that you look and sound upset.
Here are just a few reasons why punishing your dog won’t help:
Instead, take steps to keep unsuitable items inaccessible while providing your dog with safe, appropriate chews.
www.nina-ottosson.com – a lot of terrific toys, including complicated puzzle toys. You can also buy these and other smart toys on our website at www.yourdogsfriend.org/we-recommend/books-treats-products/
www.bestbullysticks.com – an assortment of packaged chews. They’re cheaper that way!
When ordering dog toys, books, or anything else online, please keep in mind that Your Dog’s Friend is included in the Amazon Smile program. Choose Your Dog’s Friend at www.smile.amazon.com and start shopping. We will receive a donation for every purchase you make through Amazon Smile.
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.
The Dos and Don’ts of Unwanted Chewing
Suppose you return home to find your new chair missing its cushiony seat and your dog covered in white polyester stuffing. Chances are you aren’t interested in what chemicals this act released in Fido’s brain – you just want them to stop chewing on your home decor. Here are some tips to help end destructive chewing: First, find out why your dog is chewing. Is the dog a puppy, chewing to relieve the pain of incoming teeth? Do they get sufficient exercise? Do they only chew when theyre left alone in the house or car? Chewing is a natural behavior for both wild and domestic dogs. Dogs, particularly puppies, explore the world with their mouths. Punishing your dog for natural behavior is useless at best and unkind at worst. Instead, it is your responsibility to provide them with appropriate items to chew and teach your pup what is okay to chew and what is not.