All About Dogs and Chewing

Why Do Dogs Chew?

When you couple strong jaws with the curiosity and high energy of an exploring puppy, the result is an incredible chewing machine! The speed at which puppies can wreak havoc in a house, and the extent of damage they can do, can really take you by surprise.

There are a variety of reasons why a puppy might chew.

• Noises behind a wall, such as a high pitched heater motor or the scurrying footsteps of a mouse, might trigger investigative chewing.
• A delay in feeding time may send a hungry dog off chewing into cabinets as he searches for food.
• Food spilled on a piece of furniture can cause a puppy to tear into it with his teeth in hopes of finding something tasty to eat.

Dogs make good pets because they have a very social nature and plenty of energy to share in activities with us. In return, we need to provide enough exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction to avoid destructive behavior.

Understanding Your Puppy's World

Puppies usually pass time or relieve boredom by using their mouths, which may result in household destruction. But puppies don't know; they are simply entertaining themselves.

Sometimes we unwittingly contribute to a puppy's problem with improper training. Puppies don't know the difference between old shoes and new shoes, or between stuffed toys and the corner of a stuffed couch.

Likewise, tug-of-war games can set your puppy up to fail. A puppy or dog entertained by tearing a towel is tempted to attack curtains fluttering in a breeze.

What about a Second Pet?

Most often, getting a second pet to help correct a chewing problem isn't the best idea. In some cases, a new pet may distract the destructive pet away from chewing, but it is just as likely that the problems could double, especially if the newcomer is another puppy.

A Little Guidance

The first step in correcting a chewing problem is to guide your puppy's chewing toward acceptable chew toys.

• Choose a mix of good-quality, safe products. When your puppy shows you what he likes, buy several more of the same type.

• Hollow rubber toys work well since biscuits can be wedged inside for your puppy to pry out. This gives him a job to do and helps keep his focus away from your possessions.

• Another way to keep your puppy focused on the toys is to teach him to fetch.

• Never take proper chewing for granted. Take an active roll in rewarding desirable chewing with lots of encouragement and praise.

Give your pet plenty of praise every time he chews on his toys.

Protecting Your Possessions

Until you can trust your puppy, he must be under constant supervision or confined to a safe area. And even when he's with you, he might sneak off by himself to chew. Consider using a lead to keep him within eyesight. A crate, dog run, or safe room will keep him out of trouble when he can't be watched.

As your puppy is allowed more freedom, he can be taught to avoid forbidden objects if you make them taste bad. Choose an effective, commercial, bitter- or hot-tasting spray to safeguard objects. If he has the habit of chewing specific items, such as clothing, make sure that all clothing is out of reach except one or two items that are sprayed with a bad-tasting spray.

Every day, move the items to new positions around the house. In four or five days, change the type of item. This teaches the dog to leave your clothing alone because he associates them with a bad taste.

"Booby traps" are successful since they punish your puppy during the act and do not require your presence. A stack of empty beverage cans set up to fall over when something moves can be effective in safeguarding certain objects. Motion-activated alarms are often effective in teaching a puppy to stay off furniture or out of plants.

What Not To Do

• Corrections and reprimands are rarely effective by themselves.

• Under no circumstances should your puppy be smacked, slapped, kicked, or physically punished in any way. There is a risk he will become hand shy or a fear-biter. Instead, offer a verbal reprimand followed by encouragement to chew on a proper chew toy.

• To be most effective, the reprimand must be given during the misbehavior and every time it occurs.

• Reprimands can backfire by either teaching the dog to be sneaky about chewing, or by teaching him not to chew anything, even toys, in your presence.