Chewing can be a very frustrating problem. But as dog owners we must be careful not to get angry with our pet. Remember, dogs don't chew to spite you. Humans often project these traits onto animals, but its not accurate. Dog's are not programmed that way, even though we may sometimes feel they deliberately choose certain things (often our favorite things) to munch on. So as hard as it may be, toss that mind set out the window. You'll be happier knowing your dog isn't trying to be vindictive and your pup will be glad you're not unfairly blaming him!
So what do you do with all this chewing? Let's get started on these Do's and Don'ts.
Take responsibility for your own belongings. If you don't want it in your dog's mouth, don't make it available. Keep clothing, shoes, books, trash, eyeglasses and remote controls out of your dog's reach.
Give your dog toys that are clearly distinguishable from household goods. Don't confuse him by offering shoes and socks as toys and then expecting him to distinguish between his shoe and yours.
Supervise your dog until he learns the house rules. Keep him with you on his leash in the house so he can't make a mistake out of your sight. Confine him when you're unable to keep an eye on him. Choose a “safe place” that's dog-proof, and provide fresh water and “safe” toys. If your dog is crate trained, you may also place him in his crate for short periods of time.
Give your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise. If your dog is bored, he'll find something to do to amuse himself and you probably won't like the choices he makes. On the other hand, a tired dog is a good dog, so make sure he gets lots of physical and mental activity. The amount of exercise should be based on his age, health and breed characteristics.
If you catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn't, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise. Offer him an acceptable chew toy instead, and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth.
If your puppy is teething, try freezing a wet washcloth for him to chew on. The cold cloth will soothe his gums. Supervise your puppy so he doesn't chew and swallow any pieces of the washcloth.
Make [off limit] items unpleasant to your dog. Furniture and other items can be coated with a taste deterrent (such as Bitter Apple®) to make them unappealing.
Have realistic expectations. At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value; this is often part of the transition to a new home. Your dog needs time to learn the house rules and you need to remember to take precautions and keep things out of his reach.
The Bitter Apple taste deterrent has worked wonders in our household. Just be sure to test the spray on a small area of the item you intend to protect. The solution shouldn't cause a stain, but it's better to be safe than end up with discolored furniture, shoes, etc.
Also, it's really important to never get angry with your dog after the fact. Their brains don't work the way ours does and they're unable to understand the human language. So punishing your dog for chewing on a pair of shoes earlier in the day while you were at work is ultimately ineffective. Many owners think the look of “guilt” on their dogs face is proof that they know what they did. But in actuality, that look is typically fear or anxiety caused by your anger or reaction to what they've done. So put your kid gloves on and play fair. We love dogs as much as people (and in some cases more!), but it's unfair to expect them to understand you 100% of the time.
We love the list of recommendations provided by Humane Society! They offer a wealth of information regarding doggy behavior and have loads of helpful information for pet owners. To read this article in full, you can click here.
Did You Curb Your Dog's Chewing Problem?
If you had a dog that chewed his or her way throughout your home and you found a way to curb the problem, we'd love to hear from you! Share your tips, stories and feedback in the comments section below. We would love to learn from your experience.
