4 Easy Steps To Solve Your Dog Chewing Problem
Dogs chew for many reasons.
For puppies, teething is a factor, along with investigation and curiosity.
In adult dogs chewing may be a means of relieving monotony or stress.
Our goal is not to stop the dog from chewing but to channel the behavior to appropriate objects.
Dogs have a physiological need to chew.
It is important for a dog to have a wide variety of safe chew objects differing in size, texture and shape.
Dogs learn with more variety and stay interested longer.
Providing safe chew toys is the first step.
To your dog these objects and your remote control or new pair of shoes are all objects to chew.
The second step is to teach the dog what is appropriate to chew.
Everything else is not permitted.
Remember to PRAISE all appropriate chewing.
Most owners neglect to do this and fail to take advantage of an easy and pleasant way to avoid undesirable chewing.
The third step is to prevent undesirable chewing in your absence by using a crate or confining your dog to a safe area by using a baby gate or portable dog pen.
Each time your dog engages in inappropriate chewing and you are not there to correct him for it, he has learned to do it.
You have actually trained the behavior by default.
Even more importantly, you are risking your dog's life.
Allowing a chewer to chew inappropriate objects can be deadly.
Poisoning, blockages, punctured intestines and electrocution are just a few of the dire possibilities.
The fourth step is to make sure your dog is vigorously exercised or walked daily before you leave.
Many dogs chew out of boredom and frustration.
Correction may be used only when you catch the dog in the act.
Clap your hands, yell HEY, or attach a length of light cord or rope to a collar so a jerk may be given.
Praise the dog the second he stops and substitute an acceptable item.
Praise the dog for any attention given to the appropriate item.
Try to avoid tug-of-war games.
They cause a dog to become more oral and excitable and are to be avoided.
Chew Toys
Don't make a big fuss when you leave or arrive.
If you find your dog has chewed something inappropriate don't hit the dog or punish the dog.
Put the dog out of sight in a safe place, clean up the mess, count to ten and act like nothing happened.
At that time it is too late for any meaningful training to take place.
Once your dog has demonstrated the ability to chew only appropriate objects, you can begin to let him have more freedom.
Chewing problems can be exasperating and costly; however, if you apply good prevention, correction and positive reinforcement techniques, most chewing problems will be solved.
The help of professional behaviorist may be required for severe problems.
For puppies, teething is a factor, along with investigation and curiosity.
In adult dogs chewing may be a means of relieving monotony or stress.
Our goal is not to stop the dog from chewing but to channel the behavior to appropriate objects.
Dogs have a physiological need to chew.
It is important for a dog to have a wide variety of safe chew objects differing in size, texture and shape.
Dogs learn with more variety and stay interested longer.
Providing safe chew toys is the first step.
To your dog these objects and your remote control or new pair of shoes are all objects to chew.
The second step is to teach the dog what is appropriate to chew.
Everything else is not permitted.
Remember to PRAISE all appropriate chewing.
Most owners neglect to do this and fail to take advantage of an easy and pleasant way to avoid undesirable chewing.
The third step is to prevent undesirable chewing in your absence by using a crate or confining your dog to a safe area by using a baby gate or portable dog pen.
Each time your dog engages in inappropriate chewing and you are not there to correct him for it, he has learned to do it.
You have actually trained the behavior by default.
Even more importantly, you are risking your dog's life.
Allowing a chewer to chew inappropriate objects can be deadly.
Poisoning, blockages, punctured intestines and electrocution are just a few of the dire possibilities.
The fourth step is to make sure your dog is vigorously exercised or walked daily before you leave.
Many dogs chew out of boredom and frustration.
Correction may be used only when you catch the dog in the act.
Clap your hands, yell HEY, or attach a length of light cord or rope to a collar so a jerk may be given.
Praise the dog the second he stops and substitute an acceptable item.
Praise the dog for any attention given to the appropriate item.
Try to avoid tug-of-war games.
They cause a dog to become more oral and excitable and are to be avoided.
Chew Toys
- large sterilized femur bone (fill hollow end with peanut butter)
- white unbleached flat rawhide
- knotted rope toy
- frozen carrots
- medium sized rubber ball or tennis ball
- assorted shape lamb's wool chew toys
- Kongs
- Nylabones
Don't make a big fuss when you leave or arrive.
If you find your dog has chewed something inappropriate don't hit the dog or punish the dog.
Put the dog out of sight in a safe place, clean up the mess, count to ten and act like nothing happened.
At that time it is too late for any meaningful training to take place.
Once your dog has demonstrated the ability to chew only appropriate objects, you can begin to let him have more freedom.
Chewing problems can be exasperating and costly; however, if you apply good prevention, correction and positive reinforcement techniques, most chewing problems will be solved.
The help of professional behaviorist may be required for severe problems.
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