| Chewing is normal for dogs, but it
can cause problems when your shoes, books or
furniture are the targets. Correcting problem
chewing is often simply a matter of preventing
unwanted chewing while encouraging your dog to chew
appropriate dog toys. If chewing only happens when
left alone, try confinement (see
Crate Training), and speak to a qualified dog
trainer or behaviorist as this may be a sign of
Separation Anxiety or Boredom.
Why Dogs Chew? Chewing is usually a
healthy, normal thing to do when it isn’t
destructive. Dogs chew for many reasons:
- To release pent-up energy.
- Stress.
- Teething, which generally occurs between
three and six months of age.
- Because the simply finds chewing enjoyable.
Keep in mind that some behavior that looks like
chewing or biting is actually exploratory
‘mouthing.’ Dogs learn about an object’s feel and
texture with their mouths in the way people learn
those things by feeling with their hands.
Correcting Inappropriate Chewing, buy
appropriate chew toys. Then, when you see your dog
chewing something inappropriate:
- Say "no" or "eh" in a low voice. (It's a
sound similar to a mother's growl, which your
puppy will take as a sign of disapproval)
- If your dog stops to look at you, praise and
give your puppy a preferred chew toy. Do not use
old shoes, socks or gloves, as that will
actually train your dog to chew your things.
- Praise your dog whenever you see him chewing
a dog toy. This teaches your dog that it is not
chewing that is wrong – just chewing the wrong
things.
- Make sure puppies have chew toys available
at all times, especially when teething.
- When possible, put items your dog likes to
chew away or out of reach. If you can’t, keep
your dog out of the area with gates or by
closing doors.
- When you aren’t home, confine your dog in a
safe area or crate your dog.
- Increase his exercise and his training.
Do provide lots of good, solid dog toys for
chewing. Do prevent problems by supervising your dog
closely and exercising him often. Do stay calm. If
you catch your dog chewing something other than a
dog toy do as suggested above.
Don’t blame the dog for being a dog – give
him toys to chew, reward him for chewing those, and
prevent access to other |
