subject: 5 Simple Steps to Prevent Your Pup From Chewing [print this page] 5 Simple Steps to Prevent Your Pup From Chewing
The first step to preventing what is known as "destructive chewing" is to understand why it occurs. Almost all dogs enjoy chewing, but in some cases, this hobby can turn into a nightmare for some dog owners. Some dogs will chew and shred everything in their reach and when this happens, frustrated owners need to address the situation immediately.
For most dogs, chewing is an emotional outlet, it's comparable to "comfort eating" in humans. A bored or anxious dog will chew because it is a soothing activity. Dogs naturally love to chew; it's a fun and self-rewarding activity. Dogs that are left alone a lot of the time or are under exercised will resort to chewing as a means to expend pent up energy.
Now that you understand the reasons behind destructive chewing, you can begin to address the problem in a logical and successful way.
1. Remove Offending Objects: Remove prized objects or things your dog likes to chew from within her reach. It's counterproductive to leave tempting things lying around.
2. Set Boundaries: Be very clear about what is acceptable to chew and what isn't. For example if you don't want your dog chewing on your favorite running shoes, don't give her an old shoe to chew and then expect her to differentiate between old and new shoes. You will only succeed in confusing your dog. Never be vague in your rule setting or your dog won't understand what's expected of her.
3. Provide Alternatives: Now that you've established what's not acceptable for chewing, it's your job to provide alternatives. Buy your dog lots of chew toys and treats to divert her attention from things you don't want her chewing. It's your responsibility to cater to her natural desire to chew, so offer your dog two or three things to play with, rotating her toys every few days to keep them interesting to her.
4. Supervise: Keep an eye on your dog and interact with her as much as possible. Remember a lot of destructive chewing stems from boredom, so try to keep your dog as occupied as possible.
5. Correct Unwanted Behavior Immediately: If you catch your dog chewing on something she's not supposed to, make a loud noise to catch her attention such as clapping or dropping some keys next to her, then immediately give her something acceptable to chew and reward her profusely when she starts chewing on it. This will teach your dog what's acceptable for chewing and what isn't. Never punish your dog or lose your temper, this will only serve to confuse her and make her fear you. You want your dog to love and trust you!
