A dog chewing on things is quite natural and there are some valid reasons why they do it. What they chew – well - that can be a cause for concern.
If you already own a puppy dog that is chewing everything in sight or are thinking of getting a puppy dog, you can stop your possessions from getting ruined by following a few simple steps.
We had this problem when our latest puppy arrived. That’s him at the top of the page. We certainly did not want our puppy dog chewing up coffee tables as if they were the tastiest thing ever. We needed to stop it and any other behavioral problems before they developed.
Before you can correct the chewing problem, you need to understand the root cause and then find the best way to stop it. The same is true of all behavioral problems.
What Causes Dog Chewing Problems?
You can help stop dog chewing problems by understanding why he is chewing. They could be:
He is teething. His gnashers need to be gnawing on something.
He has separation anxiety. He doesn’t like to be left alone.
Boredom has set in. He’s got nothing to occupy his mind.
Attention seeking. You may have a lot on your mind and he is unintentionally being ignored.
Fear. Something has happened in his life. He may be chewing the door to get out – or in.
If you have
puppy proofed
your home you will already know how to stop puppy chewing a lot of your possessions but how do you stop your dog chewing furniture when you are not there?
Make Your Dog Stop Chewing Everything
If your puppy is teething, provide chew toys that will satisfy his sharp teeth. Soft toys are no good. Use something strong like Nylabone.
Sometimes you will have a dog or puppy chew out of sheer boredom. I remember many years ago, coming home to find our newest dog chewing up a mattress.
Another time I found a dog chewing up paper from my office waste bin. I couldn’t admonish him because I didn’t actually catch him. He looked as if he was having a good time. If I don’t want to have a dog chewing up paper then I need to remove the temptation. It was my fault – not his.
Dogs do not relate their behavior to a reprimand unless you instantly correct him. Never reprimand your dog for something you do not actually catch him in the act of doing. If you find some chewed up papers in a room ten minutes after the act, he won’t know what you are ranting about. Put it down to experience and remove the temptation.
If you are away from home for long periods, you may want to cage train him. This will keep him away from your furniture until he has learned how to behave when you are not there. Leave a favorite toy or two in his cage that he can chew on to satisfy any teething urges he may have.
Stimulate him as much and as often as possible, both physically and mentally. Play lots of games such as fetch which will also help with his obedience training. Obedience training eliminates behavioral problems.
I use a technique that was being used by Daniel Stevens of SitStayFetch that has proven very effective. If you see your puppy chewing on the coffee table, stop him with a firm no and offer a toy as replacement. Give praise and encouragement when he starts chewing on his toy. When I give a replacement toy, I move him away from the furniture.
I always get him to go to the fireside rug or to his bed. If I put the toy next to the furniture, I will have to continually look to see if he is gnawing on the toy or the Chippendale.
Some people like to coat their furniture with foul tasting paste such as bitter apple or pepper to make their puppy dogs chewing stop. I don’t do this as it may encourage him to go to a different piece of furniture. Then you will have more than one piece of furniture damaged.
Make Dog Chewing Stop With Obedience Training
Your dogs chewing up furniture is a behavioral problem that needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed now. It may be one of many behavioral problems that haven’t surfaced yet.
The only true way to correct behavioral problems is with obedience training. You can easily learn how to do it at home. Obedience training will establish you as the pack leader and create a closer bond between you and your dog.
When you start your obedience training, you will be learning all the secrets that professional trainers use – but without the cost, apply it to your own situation and you will have an obedient dog in no time.
