Stop Your Dog From Chewing
You don’t want your dog to chew on things he isn’t supposed to. To keep your dog from chewing, learn these basic steps and utilize the “secret” method that works almost every time.
Chewing is natural, for puppies and grown dogs alike. Dogs think that chewing is normal (and for them it is!). However, it is not necessarily the right thing to do. If your dog has problems with chewing on things he shouldn’t, you will need to correct the problem as soon as you notice it.
There are some dogs that will chew anything that they can get their teeth on. That includes shoes, clothes and furniture. Some will even chew rocks! Of course, these are things that you would rather them keep away from. It’s not a good feeling to have to keep buying replacements. (Although you probably don’t buy replacement rocks.)
One of the easiest solutions to this problem is to get your dog a variety of dog toys that they can chew on. Using these toys can teach them what they can chew on and what they cannot. Plus, having a variety of dog toys for them to chew on will keep them occupied. It’s a good idea to have a variety of textures for them to choose from as well.
Chewing on the toys will also keep their teeth and gums healthy. Some of the better choices for dog toys to chew on are ones that are scented or flavored. Consistently encourage your dog to play with the toys.
Another thing you can do is teach them to get a toy every time they come in your presence. Even if they greet someone else, still teach them to get one of their toys.
While you are training them, also teach them not to chew on items they are not supposed to be chewing on. It is also important that the area where the dog plays is kept free of clutter. For your part, make sure that there are no shoes or other items that can provoke them to start chewing on them.
If the dog should happen to get something that they’re not suppose to have, get their attention and remove it. Then replace it with a dog toy. Each time they do that, applaud them for doing the right thing. If they take the allowable replacement, you can even give them a treat as a reward. You can also prevent them from not chewing your items by applying something that will make them step away from it, like bitter apple, cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce. I prefer the bitter apple because it works well and doesn’t burn the dog’s mouth like pepper or tabasco.
- Keep an eye on your dog all the time (especially puppies)
- Give your dog an alternate “OK thing” to chew on
- Praise your dog when he chews on the right thing
- Treat your dog when she chews on the right thing
- Use bitter apple on forbidden items
Pulling And Tugging On A Leash
Filed under: Training Tips for Dogs
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Well, our little Stella, the best behaved dog in the world, has started chewing on things. Furniture. I think it’s just because she is bored.
When kept in her crate for over an hour or so, she will chew the little tabs off of her blanket. She doesn’t eat them (like Cooper would) but just chews them off. Once when we left her in the crate with her collar on, she got it off and chewed it in two. Again, didn’t eat – just chewed.
This is why I think the problem is “boredom chewing.” She is good at entertaining herself and doesn’t need constant entertainment like Cooper does. (Funny how he doesn’t chew on stuff.) Anyway, I think Stella just wants something to do. Since most of the chewing seems to be in the early morning hours (chewing on our bed) we will try having some toys for her in the bedroom. We have also sprayed on the places where she has chewed on the furniture.
You can find Grannick Bitter Apple Original Spray for Dogs
on Amazon for pretty cheap. We use it and it works great.