Dog Chewing - How to Stop Inappropriate Dog Chewing
Chewing is something that comes very naturally for dogs.
It's in their make-up.
It's innate.
So it can be expected for your dog to be found chewing things, but the trick is to learn to teach your dog to chew on appropriate things and not YOUR possessions and / or household items.
There are 3 key reasons your dog chews: 1.
It's innate.
They have an inborn desire to chew.
For your dog, it is fun, it is a way to pass the time, and it is a self rewarding activity (i.
e.
they chew on things that taste good).
2.
Chewing presents an outlet for your dog's emotions.
If they are bored, lonesome, or anxious, then the repetitive nature of chewing is soothing for them.
3.
If your dog is under-exercised, then chewing is simply their method of using up extra nervous energy as well as providing themselves with something to do.
How to stop inappropriate dog chewing: With a little bit of effort, you should be able to nip this inappropriate dog chewing thing right in the bud.
A.
Remember, dogs investigate our world with their mouths & noses.
You first have to take control of the situation and manage your possessions.
In other words, dog proof your house.
Take whatever it is that you don't want in your dog's mouth and make it unavailable.
Get it out of reach.
Don't forget to take into consideration the size and agility of your dog.
How high can your dog jump or climb? How tall is your dog when he or she is standing you their hind legs? Customary dog chewing items in your house may include books, eye glasses, clothes, footwear, rubbish, and small electrical devices such as cameras, cellular phones, and remote controls.
B.
Don't allow your dog the joys of inappropriate chewing.
The more times your dog is able to grab a mouthful of a forbidden substance such as the leg of your chair, a pillow, or your shoe - the more eagerly your dog will target those such items in future.
By preventing your dog from chewing your stuff straight away, you will make it a lot easier for him or her to understand what you expect of her.
C.
It is easy to set your dog up for failure.
For example, make sure you don't cloud the boundaries by giving her old shoes to chew on.
If you don't want your dog to be chewing your new shoes, don't give her old ones to chew on.
A dog cannot differentiate between your NEW shoes and your OLD shoes.
D.
Make sure you provide your dog with plenty of tasty choices.
For example, if you don't have any or many appropriate chewing objects, then how can you expect your dog to not chew your stuff? Remember, dogs have an innate desire to chew.
This is especially true in younger dogs.
Give your dog 2-3 chew toys at a time.
Rotate them to ensure they don't become bored.
E.
If (more like "when") you find your dog chewing something inappropriate, then interrupt her by making a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a quick "no".
Immediately after, make sure your dog gets a tasty and proper dog alternative like a chew toy or rawhide dog bone.
The very moment she clutches her teeth around the dog-appropriate toy, give your dog plenty of praise.
A positive attitude is extremely important in your quest to prevent or stop unruly dog chewing.
Also, just like you are not perfect, the same thing applies to your dog.
Expect to have at least one occurrence where a personal or household item is damaged by your dog's inquisitiveness.
Remember, it may take some time for your beloved dog or puppy to learn the ropes.
Also, keep in mind that even when it seems you have successfully stopped or prevented her unruly dog chewing, she may still wrap her jaws around your stuff if she feels neglected or is alone for too long.
Always make sure you keep things out of reach until your dog completely understands the chewing rules.
It's in their make-up.
It's innate.
So it can be expected for your dog to be found chewing things, but the trick is to learn to teach your dog to chew on appropriate things and not YOUR possessions and / or household items.
There are 3 key reasons your dog chews: 1.
It's innate.
They have an inborn desire to chew.
For your dog, it is fun, it is a way to pass the time, and it is a self rewarding activity (i.
e.
they chew on things that taste good).
2.
Chewing presents an outlet for your dog's emotions.
If they are bored, lonesome, or anxious, then the repetitive nature of chewing is soothing for them.
3.
If your dog is under-exercised, then chewing is simply their method of using up extra nervous energy as well as providing themselves with something to do.
How to stop inappropriate dog chewing: With a little bit of effort, you should be able to nip this inappropriate dog chewing thing right in the bud.
A.
Remember, dogs investigate our world with their mouths & noses.
You first have to take control of the situation and manage your possessions.
In other words, dog proof your house.
Take whatever it is that you don't want in your dog's mouth and make it unavailable.
Get it out of reach.
Don't forget to take into consideration the size and agility of your dog.
How high can your dog jump or climb? How tall is your dog when he or she is standing you their hind legs? Customary dog chewing items in your house may include books, eye glasses, clothes, footwear, rubbish, and small electrical devices such as cameras, cellular phones, and remote controls.
B.
Don't allow your dog the joys of inappropriate chewing.
The more times your dog is able to grab a mouthful of a forbidden substance such as the leg of your chair, a pillow, or your shoe - the more eagerly your dog will target those such items in future.
By preventing your dog from chewing your stuff straight away, you will make it a lot easier for him or her to understand what you expect of her.
C.
It is easy to set your dog up for failure.
For example, make sure you don't cloud the boundaries by giving her old shoes to chew on.
If you don't want your dog to be chewing your new shoes, don't give her old ones to chew on.
A dog cannot differentiate between your NEW shoes and your OLD shoes.
D.
Make sure you provide your dog with plenty of tasty choices.
For example, if you don't have any or many appropriate chewing objects, then how can you expect your dog to not chew your stuff? Remember, dogs have an innate desire to chew.
This is especially true in younger dogs.
Give your dog 2-3 chew toys at a time.
Rotate them to ensure they don't become bored.
E.
If (more like "when") you find your dog chewing something inappropriate, then interrupt her by making a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a quick "no".
Immediately after, make sure your dog gets a tasty and proper dog alternative like a chew toy or rawhide dog bone.
The very moment she clutches her teeth around the dog-appropriate toy, give your dog plenty of praise.
A positive attitude is extremely important in your quest to prevent or stop unruly dog chewing.
Also, just like you are not perfect, the same thing applies to your dog.
Expect to have at least one occurrence where a personal or household item is damaged by your dog's inquisitiveness.
Remember, it may take some time for your beloved dog or puppy to learn the ropes.
Also, keep in mind that even when it seems you have successfully stopped or prevented her unruly dog chewing, she may still wrap her jaws around your stuff if she feels neglected or is alone for too long.
Always make sure you keep things out of reach until your dog completely understands the chewing rules.
