Stop Dog Chewing Problems
Everyone will have to stop dog chewing problems at one point or another! Puppies chewing on things is normal because their teeth ar coming in. That doesn't mean that you have to live with it and say goodbye to your furniture and shoes!
You also have to watch out because your dog can chew on things that might hurt them, so it goes beyond just ruining your things. Don't ever underestimate what your dog will chew on either. If they can get their mouth around it, they will chew it!
So why do our dogs chew on things?
1. If they are a puppy, it is because they are teething.
2. They might have separation anxiety, which usually happens when they don't get to see you very often (due to work, or anything else).
3. They could be bored, lonely, or even afraid.
4. It might be because they crave attention or because they are really excited about going to get to see you.
So whether it's because you cannot stand having everything chewed on or because you don't want your dog to get hurt, you need to stop them from chewing. Don't worry about getting in the way of your dogs instincts either, because there are plenty of suitable alternatives for what you can give your dogs to munch on that will keep that happy and satisfied.
The key is showing your dogs what is ok to chew and what is not.
Preventing Dog Chewing is the Way to Go!
Like all other dog behavior problems, it is so much easier to prevent the chewing issue than it is to correct it later on down the road. Here are some of the things that you can do to stop it from happening.
- If you have a puppy, you need to set up your home in such a way that they can't even be tempted to chew on things they are not supposed to.
- Make sure to give your dog chew toys. Teach them that they can only chew on their toys and nothing else. To do this, put treats with their toys occasionally. That will help to make the association in their mind that chewing on their toys is a good thing.
- When you can't supervise your dog, try to keep them in a designated area like a pen or a crate. If they are outside, there could be a run or a kennel that you keep them in. Give them some of their chew toys, and take them on walks and practice obedience when you do have a chance. That way, you will effectively eliminate all the reasons your dog has for chewing.
Stop Dog Chewing Problems Forever
One of the first things that you need to remind yourself is that your dog never chews on things because they are mad at you or they want to make you angry. And they definitely can't tell the difference between expensive things that they shouldn't chew on and dirty old socks that you couldn't care less if they chewed on. You have to teach them that distinction.Here are some of the things you can do to correct the problem behavior:
- If you find that they like to chew on certain things, coat them with hot sauce or bitter apple spray. It will teach your dog to associate the bad taste with the thing you don't want them to chew on and they'll eventually stop doing it.
- Like other problem behaviors, be sure to reprimand your dog if you catch them in the act. Simply tell them no and give them a chew toy. After they take the toy, give them praise for it. You can't reprimand them unless you catch them chewing on something they shouldn't be though. You don't want to confuse your dog.
- The more dog obedience and training that you practice with your dog, the easier it will be for you to control them. They will start to look to you as a leader and you wont' have any trouble getting them to stop chewing on things you don't want them to. If you are consistent with them and listen to them, you'll be able to eliminate that problem behavior, no matter how old they are.
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