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How to stop your dog from chewing

Posted by LMB on

How to stop your dog from chewing

Chewing is a normal thing for young and growing dogs who love to explore everything. They can do this by sniffing, licking, and chewing on objects. The dog's mouth functions similarly to human hands. It is their preferred method of exploring the environment. This means that your dog will be continuously chewing around for fun. In certain circumstances, chewing becomes a harmful problem, and correction is one of the best ways to help. So if your pup chews everything you own, no worries. There is a solution to this nasty chewing habit. But first you need to understand why your dog chews almost everything that gets in his way. Dogs chew on many items, including your sofa, furniture, pillows, and even your favorite sneakers, for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Anxiety: It may happen either by force or by instinct. It might be due to stress if your pup is uncomfortable in the atmosphere, or it could be fear of being left alone.
  • Boredom: The effect of boredom is to make you eat different items in the house. Your dog can play games and exercise all he wants, but it won't help. Giving your dog a suitable chew toy will reduce the problematic behavior and make his body stronger.
  • Separation Anxiety: Dogs may bite off inappropriate objects in an attempt to escape from the left area while you are away. This type of eating is difficult to treat because it occurs when you are not present, and it is a dog concern that needs to be treated. Dog behaviorists will use coordination, anxiety, and antidepressant techniques to treat separation anxiety. Ask your veterinarian if you need help or suggestion.
  • Puppy Teething: It may also be due to a tooth; in this case take him for a checkup.
  • Hunger: A dog on a high-calorie diet may chew on objects in his attempt to find something to eat.

How to manage or stop your dog’s destructive chewing habit

Pay attention.

You must continually monitor your puppy or dog to understand his reason for chewing. If it is due to puppy teething, you must protect him from the temptation to put everything in his mouth. Much like babies, puppies go through a stage where they tend to lose their baby teeth and experience discomfort. This may go on for four to six months, and the intensified chewing should end at seven months. Dog experts recommend giving them chew toys and ice blocks to help manage the teething process. Although chewing is normal for puppies, you need to give positive guidance to gently teach your puppy that chewing on inappropriate objects is not allowed.

Provide your dog with plenty of chew toys and edible chew bones.

Just like I mentioned earlier, chewing is perfectly normal, and the truth is that dogs need to chew. This is beneficial to their jaws and teeth, and dogs love to chew on sticks, bones, and anything for fun. To keep them occupied and away from your furniture and shoes, you should provide them with many chew toys and edible bones. For pups that are full of energy, playing tug-of-war frequently will help reduce the chewing. It is advisable that you change your pup's chew toys, so he/she doesn’t get bored with the same old items.

Dog-proof your house

If you are going to leave your dog alone, it is preferable to keep him/her in the crate.

The duration should be around two to three hours for a puppy, and for an adult dog, not more than five hours.

However, for much of the day or for a short period of time (such as a trip to the grocery store), use a dog mat or, if your puppy is unable to destroy it, remove a small space from your house by utilizing a dog door. Also, until you are confident that your dog’s chewing behavior is corrected, remove important items. For the time being, you can keep your valuables locked in your closet. This will reduce the likelihood of him becoming a problematic chewer and will assist him in staying on track through training.

Discourage chewing through positive reinforcement.

You should try not to yell or scream if you catch your dog in the act. You should remember that your dog feels every emotion, so try to remain focused throughout the training. While playing with his favorite toys, you should try to give him many treats and edible bones. This way, he will understand that playing with his toys instead of destroying furniture earns him/her treats.

Regular exercise and more playtime

Lack of exercise and regular playtime with your pup can result in destructive chewing. Some dogs don’t get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation, and bored dogs always tend to look for ways to entertain themselves. You should provide ways to exercise your dog’s mind and body regularly. Great ways to exercise your dog well are through regular walks, agility, tug-of-fetch games, and playtime with other dogs.

Dont's

There are healthy ways to prevent your dog from chewing everything, and if executed properly, the behavior will be resolved in no time.

  • If you notice any damage done in the house by your dog, you should try not to yell, be angry and scold him after the act. If he was caught in the act, clapping your hands loudly may have been effective at that moment.
  • Do not leave your dog locked up in a crate for long periods of time. Your pup should not be locked in for more than three hours. You might think crate training may be effective, but if not done properly, it can send the wrong message to your dog.
  • Do not tie your dog’s mouth with duct tape or other material. This is inhumane and can teach your dog anything. Instead, you will be instilling fear in your dog.
  • Never leave your dog locked up in a room as a way of reducing his chewing habit. This will create a stressful environment for your dog, and instead of managing the behavior, it may worsen it.
  • Do not muzzle your dog every time to keep him from chewing. Although muzzles can help reduce biting and other accidents, you should not leave your pup muzzled without concrete objectives.

One thing to note is that chewing is perfectly normal for all dogs, so you should not feel discouraged but instead seek healthy ways to help your pup manage the behavior.

Good luck!!!!!