This article provides recommendations and ideas on inappropriate chewing and stopping them, largely at the puppy stage.
It does not cover adult-onset destructive chewing, which can be due to a behavioral condition such as separation anxiety.
First, chewing is normal behavior for dogs or puppies.
It only becomes unacceptable when it is exhibited in the wrong place or the wrong item is chewed upon.
Dogs and especially puppies chew on whatever they can get their mouths on for a variety of reasons.
They can be bored, have a lot of energy, be teething or they are just curious.
Dogs learn through their mouths and it is how they receive a great deal of information.
They are naturally inclined to use their mouths whenever they can.
Keeping this in mind, your goal will be to guide your dog toward appropriate objects for chewing and to prevent or control problem chewing.
The following training guidelines should help you with dog chewing problems and stopping them.
1) Breed Selection - If you haven't already chosen a dog and are particularly concerned about potential chewing problems, investigate the breed's behavioral traits, including the chewing tendencies.
Some breeds chew more than others and some breeds are extremely energetic when they are puppies.
An energetic dog is likely to be a prolific chewer, especially if the owner is not prepared to work off the dog's energy in other ways.
It is important to match the pet or breed to the owner's lifestyle, and a little thought beforehand can go a long way toward preventing destructive chewing as well as a variety of other potential behavior problems.
2) Dog Chew Proof - When you bring your dog or puppy home, go through all areas that the dog will be allowed into and dog-proof the areas just as you would for a child.
Remove all electrical cords or protect them so they cannot be chewed.
Remove anything that could harm your dog, or anything of value, such as shoes, socks, clothes, furniture, etc.
3) Crate Train - One advantage to crate training is that you can confine your dog when you are away.
Given that they like to put everything in their mouths, you do not want to leave the whole house for your dog to teeth on while you aren't there.
If you don't want to crate train, confine your dog to a small room that has been dog-proofed when you are out.
4) Supervise - Just as you would with a child, keep your eye on your dog when not in the crate and be aware of what it might be getting up to.
5) Chew Toys - Your main strategy is to focus your dog's chewing toward items that you select.
There are a range of safe, long-lasting chew toys that are made especially for teething puppies that will keep them occupied and content for hours.
Try to select and make available a variety of chew toys with different textures, such as bones, rawhides and rubber chew toys.
This helps combat boredom, rather than providing just one chew toy.
It also helps satisfy your puppy's need for gum stimulation and for exploring the world with it's mouth.
The chew toys should not be similar to articles that you do not want your dog to chew.
6) Exercise - Puppies typically have bundles of energy that needs to be worked off.
Give your dog plenty of exercise to relieve boredom and work off it's energy.
Lack of exercise can be a significant factor contributing to destructive chewing.
7) Downplay Leaving the House - Try not to make it a big deal when you leave the house to avoid promoting separation anxiety.
This can lead to destructive chewing, whining or constant barking.
When you leave, give your dog a favorite chew toy or one that he hasn't seen for a while.
It will keep him immediately entertained and him to help forget that you've left.
Rubbing your scent on the toy can also help.
8) Train to Ignore Non-Toys - If your dog often chews on the wrong things, establish a training routine to work on teaching him to ignore non-toy items.
Place non-toy items on the floor nearby your dog's chew toys and pretend that you are not paying attention.
When he moves toward the non-toy item correct with a sharp 'NO' and point out the correct chew toy.
Patiently continue with this training exercise until he finally learns to ignore the non-toy items.
9) Bitter Apple Spray - To aid your best intentions and efforts consider adding Bitter Apple Spray to your arsenal.
It is an all-natural, non-toxic spray that dogs find tastes terrible.
It can be safely sprayed on non-toy items and furniture.
It does not cover adult-onset destructive chewing, which can be due to a behavioral condition such as separation anxiety.
First, chewing is normal behavior for dogs or puppies.
It only becomes unacceptable when it is exhibited in the wrong place or the wrong item is chewed upon.
Dogs and especially puppies chew on whatever they can get their mouths on for a variety of reasons.
They can be bored, have a lot of energy, be teething or they are just curious.
Dogs learn through their mouths and it is how they receive a great deal of information.
They are naturally inclined to use their mouths whenever they can.
Keeping this in mind, your goal will be to guide your dog toward appropriate objects for chewing and to prevent or control problem chewing.
The following training guidelines should help you with dog chewing problems and stopping them.
1) Breed Selection - If you haven't already chosen a dog and are particularly concerned about potential chewing problems, investigate the breed's behavioral traits, including the chewing tendencies.
Some breeds chew more than others and some breeds are extremely energetic when they are puppies.
An energetic dog is likely to be a prolific chewer, especially if the owner is not prepared to work off the dog's energy in other ways.
It is important to match the pet or breed to the owner's lifestyle, and a little thought beforehand can go a long way toward preventing destructive chewing as well as a variety of other potential behavior problems.
2) Dog Chew Proof - When you bring your dog or puppy home, go through all areas that the dog will be allowed into and dog-proof the areas just as you would for a child.
Remove all electrical cords or protect them so they cannot be chewed.
Remove anything that could harm your dog, or anything of value, such as shoes, socks, clothes, furniture, etc.
3) Crate Train - One advantage to crate training is that you can confine your dog when you are away.
Given that they like to put everything in their mouths, you do not want to leave the whole house for your dog to teeth on while you aren't there.
If you don't want to crate train, confine your dog to a small room that has been dog-proofed when you are out.
4) Supervise - Just as you would with a child, keep your eye on your dog when not in the crate and be aware of what it might be getting up to.
5) Chew Toys - Your main strategy is to focus your dog's chewing toward items that you select.
There are a range of safe, long-lasting chew toys that are made especially for teething puppies that will keep them occupied and content for hours.
Try to select and make available a variety of chew toys with different textures, such as bones, rawhides and rubber chew toys.
This helps combat boredom, rather than providing just one chew toy.
It also helps satisfy your puppy's need for gum stimulation and for exploring the world with it's mouth.
The chew toys should not be similar to articles that you do not want your dog to chew.
6) Exercise - Puppies typically have bundles of energy that needs to be worked off.
Give your dog plenty of exercise to relieve boredom and work off it's energy.
Lack of exercise can be a significant factor contributing to destructive chewing.
7) Downplay Leaving the House - Try not to make it a big deal when you leave the house to avoid promoting separation anxiety.
This can lead to destructive chewing, whining or constant barking.
When you leave, give your dog a favorite chew toy or one that he hasn't seen for a while.
It will keep him immediately entertained and him to help forget that you've left.
Rubbing your scent on the toy can also help.
8) Train to Ignore Non-Toys - If your dog often chews on the wrong things, establish a training routine to work on teaching him to ignore non-toy items.
Place non-toy items on the floor nearby your dog's chew toys and pretend that you are not paying attention.
When he moves toward the non-toy item correct with a sharp 'NO' and point out the correct chew toy.
Patiently continue with this training exercise until he finally learns to ignore the non-toy items.
9) Bitter Apple Spray - To aid your best intentions and efforts consider adding Bitter Apple Spray to your arsenal.
It is an all-natural, non-toxic spray that dogs find tastes terrible.
It can be safely sprayed on non-toy items and furniture.
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