subject: The 5 Best Ways To Stop A Dog Chewing [print this page] Dogs and puppies are going to chew - it is a fact of life you have to accept if you are a dog owner. However, there are ways to stop a dog chewing.
When they are puppies, there are two main reasons for them chewing they may be teething or they are bored. Unfortunately they dont care what they put in their mouths, it could be anything from a plastic chair to the washing on the line and Im speaking from experience here! As they mature, if they are still chewing, it could be for other reasons they may be lonely, frightened, anxious, seeking attention or overexcited.
However natural it may be for your pup, it is important for them, for you and for your belongings that you stop your dog chewing from an early age. There are a couple of things you should never, ever do, and that is :
Dont yell at them even if you are really angry because theyve just chewed up your new Nikes that cost you a fortune. Shouting at them will only confuse them, because they really wont know what they did wrong, and
Never hit a puppy (or a dog for that matter) you will only be making problems for yourself in the long run, and to my mind it is downright cruel and no dog deserves it.
So what is the answer?
You need to let your puppy know that it is not okay for him to chew on your things, but you have to also show him that there are alternatives, such as bones or a pet toy made for the purpose.
1. When you catch it chewing on your shoe, replace the shoe with a favorite toy or a treat, and praise it when it starts chewing on that instead. This will teach your dog there are some things he is allowed to chew on. You will probably have to do this more than a few times, but in the end he will get an understanding of what you are teaching him.
2. Keep your dog from getting bored. Make sure he gets plenty of exercise, and that they have plenty of toys to stimulate him and keep his mind and body active, especially if you are not home during the day.
3. Crate train him this is a very valuable tool in many ways. Crate training not only helps when potty training your puppy, it gives your dog their own safe space within your home, and of course it minimizes the amount of damage they can do when you are not home. When the training is done correctly, most dogs learn to love their crate.
4. Aversion sprays. You can buy commercial sprays or make up your own with such things as cayenne, vinegar or citrus. None of these things will harm your puppy and generally are a deterrent to stop a dog chewing. The dog learns to associate the things you have sprayed with a bad taste, and stops chewing them.
5. Be consistent. Consistency is really important in training generally. If you stop your dog chewing on a shoe one day, then buy them a toy shoe to play with the next, they are not going to know the difference. You as the Alpha Leader have to lay down the rules and make sure that not only you, but all household members, follow those rules consistently.
by: Vicki Owen
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