Please help; my pet is chewing everything! These are the snarling words of pet parents who seek out the help of a trained dog trainer who is a professional. Unfortunately, problems with behavior are one of the main reasons dogs are re-homed to shelters each year.
Dogs do not have hands, so they’ve developed a way of communicating differently. Chewing is a typical and expected behavior of dogs, as is looking at the ground, tail wagging, and barking. Regular chewing could become destructive if your dog develops the habit of chewing anything that is in her path.
In the study of chewing habits in dogs, 4 percent of the respondents said they needed medical assistance for their dog due to an issue with chewed-up material. While chewing on objects was more common among younger dogs, other causes can lead a dog of a certain age to chew things in an inappropriate way.
Why Do Puppies Chew?
“All puppies go through a chewing/teething stage as they lose their puppy teeth and the adult teeth start coming in, similar to how human babies teethe,” says dog trainer Laurie C. Williams, trainer and owner of Pup’n Iron Canine Enrichment Centre located in Virginia.
She explains that the desire to chew decreases as the adult teeth begin to come in, anywhere between 6-12 months old. As with babies, puppies chew to ease the discomfort of teeth that are trying to grow in the gums.
As they get older, issues can arise if young children aren’t taught the proper chewing and what’s unacceptable. The puppies won’t realize that it’s not acceptable to chew on a couch, your most loved shoe, or other household items. They must be taught.
Williams has been an animal trainer for over 35 years. She advises enrichment activities that satisfy a puppy’s natural urge to chew. This includes safe chew toys, as well as raw bones.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Chewing is a favorite activity for dogs, and it’s not stopped when they reach the age of puppyhood. Chewing is a way for dogs to relieve boredom and stress and satisfy their need to chew and gnaw at things.
If a senior or adult dog begins to chew pets, owners should look into the cause to discover the reason. Likely, your chewing dog isn’t a significant issue; it’s always recommended to speak to your vet regarding any sudden changes in behavior.
The most common reasons adult dogs chew are a change in routine and boredom (such as when kids return to school), lack of exercise or focus, and sometimes the fear of separation.
“Your new leather shoes felt great in their mouths, and the closet door was open, and in their mind, the shoes were a gift for them,” Williams describes dogs that love to chew things. “Destructive behavior can manifest in chewing and tearing things up in frustration when a dog is anxious and left unsupervised.”
She suggests that you don’t train dogs not to chew. Instead, you stop dogs from being able to chew on prohibited things. If you do not allow the dog access and give immediate supervision, it is possible to have the dog guided by enrichment and suitable chewing areas.
Risks of Dog Chewing
In addition to the risks of chewing things like cables, wires, and floors made of wood, There are many more reasons dogs that are prone to chewing should be watched.
Based on Tufts University, some pets will chew and swallow virtually all kinds of food. Most of the time, pet owners do not realize that their pet has eaten something until they notice visible symptoms of distress. Cummings School surgeon Dr. John Berg says some dogs repeat themselves, and the same dogs get procedures to eliminate foreign bodies repeatedly.
The most common chewing dog hazards are:
- Wires in the electrical circuit could cause shocks.
- Strings and cords that could strangle dogs.
- Dog toys and balls can be ripped apart and taken in.
- Rawhide bones can damage teeth and cause choking and intestinal obstruction.
- The sticks you pick up at the park could be stuck in dogs’ mouths or scratch the intestines when consumed.
It is harder to recognize chewing risks include:
- Cans and bottles of household cleaners could cause fatal consequences if ingested.
- Bones cooked may break up because of their brittle nature and can cause intestinal perforation or obstruction.
- Clothing that wraps itself around the dog’s intestines.
- The pennies issued post-1982 are made from zinc and can cause zinc toxicity when swallowed.
Always ensure your home is safe for puppies by thinking of a puppy. What do they have access to? Please take a look at things from her perspective. She is unaware that the wire that entices her could be dangerous or that the wood glue bottle could take her life.
If a dog is mature enough, the temptations to chew aren’t disappeared in a flash. The majority of dogs are chewers for life. Williams advises pet owners to keep doors closed to areas with wires, cables, and cables. Also, utilize gates for dogs to ensure they aren’t in spaces with objects they’ve previously tried to chew.
Excessive Chewing: What Is Your Dog Telling You?
You come home after a long and tiring day, and your dog chewed on an armchair, a couch, the coffee table leg, or any furniture items within your home.
If your pet is a hefty chewer, this isn’t the right time to correct your dog or reinforce what an awful person she is. It is essential to stop your dog when she is chewing and then redirect her toward more responsible behavior. Remember that dogs are natural chewers. Therefore, try to teach her how she should and can chew.
The reasons dogs chew their food excessively can be:
- Fear of separation
- Boredom
- Improper training
- Access too much to your apartment or home
- For fun
“If they are supervised and monitored, we can tell them ‘wrong’ when they try to chew something we don’t want them to and they will eventually learn what is off limits,” Williams states. “Some dogs take longer to learn this than others, and in those cases, when you can’t supervise, dogs should be crated, corralled in a specific dog-proof area, or kept in a safe room where they can’t destroy anything.”
Finding the root of the issue that your dog’s behavior is essential to stop the behavior. Tools to train your dogs, such as Bitter apple spray or the anti-chew spray for dogs, are helpful but serve as temporary bandages until the problem is addressed.
How to Stop a Dog From Chewing Everything
Perhaps you need help. If your dog chewed the slippers of your favorite designer or nibbled at the leather of a chair, everything depends. Your dog sees these items as big chew toys.
Here are step-by-step instructions on ways to prevent dogs from chewing all things.
The first step is to puppy-secure or dogs-proof the house inside and out. Chewing is a normal part of life that should be controlled, so limit access to things your dog has no right to chew on.
The second step is to Learn the correct method. Williams states that dogs must be monitored and taught the desirable behavior, and then we must reinforce the behavior. When you train your dog, you should always support positive reinforcement for what she can and cannot chew on.
The third step Find out the cause that is causing the excessive chewing. What time does your dog play with things? While she’s on her own? Do you think she needs someone to be with her? Can you give her something to chew on?
Step 4 To get to the root of canine stress and anger. Williams advises that if your dog is chewing or showing destructive behavior due to anxiety or frustration, you should seek a trained dog trainer and a canine behavior expert.
5. Give your dog the chew toy and appropriate bones for a limited time, but only some days. Williams says you want your dog to feel special so pets don’t get bored by the toys. She suggests keeping the toys you want in the freezer as the cold creates more enjoyment for dogs to chew on.
Sixth step 6: Utilize the bitter apples or chew-based repellent sprays in areas you cannot observe. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully.
7. 7: Enjoy time spent with your pet and play daily. Go for an outing, play the brain game and game toys, give her one-on-one time, and dedicate your time to bonding with her all week. Dogs can get in trouble when uninterested, neglected, or oblivious.
8. The dog’s brain is wired to chew. Therefore, getting them to cease this habit isn’t a good idea. Dogs are fun to play with, but you must teach your dog to be good and use positive reinforcement to help her understand right from bad.
Dog Chewing Prevention: Tips for Success
Teaching your dog not to chew is the equivalent of a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some tips and don’ts that will stop the dog’s habit of chewing on everything and give her a path to success.
Do:
Be patient. Don’t hit or spank your dog to chew. Be gentle with her, and don’t make her feel scared of you. Cut some slack to your puppy and become your role model for her. She wants to see you as.
Redirect your dog’s energy. Find outlets that are appropriate to harness the power of your pet. Certain dogs are awe-inspiring at agility, while others enjoy brain games. A long walk is enough for some.
Create a non-chew area. Make a dog-proof space in your home where you can relax and let your fears of chewing disappear. If you feel nervous, get the doggy camera and view her via a phone application.
Select suitable toys. Ensure she has the proper chew toys, but be aware of her eating habits. Don’t let her ruin the toys and inhale pieces.
Get a professional trainer. Use an instructor who uses positive reinforcement to discover the root of chewing that is deep-seated and continues to occur. Behaviors.
Don’t:
Stay away from leaving your dog for an extended period. Only leave your dog or puppy for a prolonged period with toilet breaks or social interaction. It is unjust and cruel to the animal.
Utilize a crate for punishment. Don’t utilize a crate or kennel to punish your dog when you discover an object that your dog chewed. It will cause negative memories of the cage.
Use toys that are dangerous as well as bones. Please don’t give your dog broken toys or bones that he can chew. Watching your dog when she’s playing with a new toy or treat is best.
Make sure your dog is disciplined. Do not chastise or discipline your dog emotionally or physically.
Avoid stimulation and exercise. Refrain from blaming your dog when training or activity is not enough. Bored dogs can turn destructive.
With patience, time, and proper training, dogs prone to chewing everything will not adopt the same pattern into adulthood. Adult dogs that chew require more attention, time, and a laser-focused positive reinforcement system to tell what to chew and what not to.
