subject: What Makes A Dog Chew [print this page] Barking, digging, rolling in mud, scratching and chewing are some of a dog's innate behaviour. Owners really do love their dog. These loyal and loving animals have indeed made of lot of change to human lives. On the other hand, an owner that highly values the affectionate and loyal temperament of the pet can't help but be annoyed by the destructive behaviour of the pet. A dog's chewing habit that has become destructive would naturally be a cause for concern. A pet owner that needs to replace the things destroyed by the dog would certainly be annoyed by the pet's excessive chewing habit.
Chewing is innate in dogs. Puppies at the age of three months would be noticed trying the strength of their gums and teeth . Puppies, unlike humans, have no hands thus the mouth and the teeth are used to investigate their environment . Chewing things is the only way by which puppies satisfy their curiosity about their new world . A puppy's inclination to chew gets stronger when it starts to teeth. Babies are usually given teethers to ease teething pains and to strengthen the gums.
Puppies that are not provided with chew toys would find their own teethers to manage their teething pains. This indiscriminate chewing can have dangerous results. Swallowing an object that can create a blockage is a dangerous situation that can result to the death of the dog. Indiscriminate chewing in puppies can be managed easily by providing the confined pet with safe chew toys. The tendency to chew is generally outgrown by most puppies.
What concerns most owners is when a well behaved mature dog suddenly grow into an indiscriminate and excessively chewing pet. The dog's unwanted behaviour can be due to an underlying reason. The dog's destructive chewing behaviour can be triggered by boredom, loneliness or inactivity.
Knowing why dogs chew is only the first step. It is also a priority to know what to do when it chews. Dogs are one of the animals that crave interaction. A dog is not similar to a cat that would be contented to stare into space alone all day. It is necessary for a dog to have someone to interact with. Naturally, dogs would not know the value of things. A shoe with the master's scent would be a poor substitute but it would do for a dog missing its master. A dog has to have outlets for the pent up energies. Dog owners must be aware that it would not be a good idea to confine the pet with no toys or playmate inside the house as with most certainty, the dog will develop into a destructive pet.
