Chewing is a normal behavior in pups and immature dogs, although some dogs will munch more than others and with more determination.
Your young dog may like chewing on your shoes, furnishings, and even walls! But it’s vital to remember they’re not doing it out of spite.
Have you discovered that your dog has an addiction to crunching things every now or then? At this rate, you worry that the whole house might be demolished whenever you leave the dog alone.
Before we share with you seven simple measures to stop your dog from chewing everything without upsetting them, let’s first try to figure out what causes this behavior.
What Are the Reasons That Dogs Chew So Much?
Munching is a normal instinct for dogs and has its advantages, but the issue occurs when the things around your home fall victim to it.
You should research your dog breed’s tips and information to learn more about its behavior.
There are a plethora of expert sites on the Internet that can help you. For instance, Puplore is a website by dog expert Ben Pierce which does the same.
Dogs are curious animals. They inspect the world through sensation, sound, scent, and taste. Simply put, like a human’s hands, a dog utilizes its mouth a lot. They may not be chewing your shoe but feeling it instead.
There can also be other factors contributing to it, such as:
It Is Stress-Relieving
Teething commonly arises in doggies from the age of three to six months.
They find the item satisfying to munch due to the flavor, fabric, and scent—particularly if it has the smell of their favorite human.
Boredom
In some severe cases, chewing can be due to separation anxiety. This dilemma may stem from a circumstance where a dog is left alone for an extended period. It may be necessary to discuss this problem with a vet.
Other Miscellaneous Reasons
It’s known that separation anxiety can cause chewing. But there can be other causes, like thunderstorms and strange noises. Watch for particular incidents that induce a behavior change. For instance, during thunderstorms or fireworks, your dog may start munching fences and doors trying to escape.
Insufficient or Inadequate Training
You must teach your puppy what is off-limits to keep them from chewing your stuff. Chewing might be because they don’t know any better, particularly with puppies. They don’t know the distinction between theirs and yours, so it may take some time and support to stop your slipper thief!
7 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Everything Without Making Them Sad
1. Monitor Your Puppy Very Closely
Your dog must be monitored and under strict supervision when not constrained, as it can get into trouble in the blink of an eye.
Training specialists suggest keeping new dogs on a leash when starting around the home. This both supports lavatory training and reduces instances of inappropriate chewing.
2. Store Certain Objects Away from Your Puppy’s Range
To conserve your possessions—and for your puppy’s security—remove all family items within your dog’s reach. Particular victims of chewing include items such as socks, shoes, accessories, eyeglasses, and children’s toys.
3. Get Your Hands On an Anti-chew Spray
Despite your best efforts, sometimes pups can be extremely persistent. You can’t always prevent a dog from chewing when home by themselves, and even when you’re there, it’s impossible to keep your eyes on them at all times.
For those conditions, get your hands on a natural anti-chew spray. The bitter apple spray is completely reliable, but the nasty taste reduces the desire to chew and bite.
The spray is adequate for most textures, including furnishings, shoes, and materials. It’s a must-have product to curb dogs from munching. Keep your dog and your house protected with natural puppy products.
4. Provide Your Puppy with Adequate Toys That It Can Chew
As a pet parent, you can give your dog old shoes, slippers, or socks as toys.
It’s disturbing for your dog since she may not be able to differentiate between the things she can munch on and those which are prohibited. Instead, make sure you provide enough toys to keep your dog happy and healthy.
5. Point Your Dog Toward What It Can Chew
If you see your dog chewing on a table, you can try saying something along the lines of “oops” and then using a strict command such as “leave it.” As soon as he quits and stares at you, give him a delicacy and compliments.
If he has something in his mouth that he shouldn’t have, say something like “drop it” in a stern voice and give him something good as soon as he obeys.
Be sure to divert your dog to a good chew toy. Never chase your dog when they grab something bad, as they will think you’re playing.
Instead, call him to you and use the delight exchange technique to get him to give up the commodity.
6. Provide Your Dog with Sufficient Physical and Mental Exercise
If your dog is bored, they’ll have to find something to keep themselves amused. Whereas, a tired dog is a well-behaved dog, so ensure that you provide them with as much physical and mental activity as possible.
The amount of exercise should be commensurate with their age, level of fitness, and breed traits. There are other reasons why your dog needs exercise, but it’ll help with chewing.
While daily hikes and other outside time are significant to their health, allowing your dog to smell their surroundings will satisfy them more than attempting to power-walk two miles non-stop.
For pups who like the presence of other pups, a properly run dog daycare service can be an excellent choice for high-energy dogs.
7. Make Sure There Are No Medical Causes for the Chewing Behavior
In some cases, pups chew as a coping behavior when they endure psychological difficulties (like anxiety).
Furthermore, if specific parasites or nutritional deficiencies are bothering your pup, they may be tempted to start chewing.
Consider taking your dog to a veterinarian or animal behaviorist for a professional diagnosis and an adequate medication plan, particularly if the chewing is accompanied by other signs, such as weight loss, gastrointestinal troubles, or unusual behavior.
Conclusion
So there you have it! These seven easy steps can help in stopping your dog from chewing everything without stopping them. If you’re still struggling with your furry friend’s harmful chewing habits, you can seek the help of an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian.
Try your best to be patient as you work on your dog’s compulsion, though it’s ordinary for this to take some time. Practice makes perfect, even with dog training!
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