Stop Dog Chewing – How To Stop Your Dog Chewing Up Your Shoes & Your Furniture

For some dogs, especially puppies, chewing is a huge problem. They chew up your slippers, your new clothes and your furniture. Puppies have been known to chew through power cords, fabric and plenty of other expensive things. It’s pretty much impossible for a puppy not to destroy something dear to you in their first few weeks. What you can do is start teaching your puppy to not chew from a young age, making sure this behavior doesn’t continue and worsen as the dog gets older.

Many puppies simply grow out of this behavior, others don’t. If your puppy is chewing it’s important to start addressing this behavior early so it doesn’t continue into adulthood. If you do have an adult dog that chews everything in sight, don’t despair. There are methods to stop this behavior from occurring.

Why Dogs Chew

As a puppy many dogs chew as they are teething. Chewing helps alleviate sore teeth and gums. The same way that small children suck their thumbs, for some puppies this behavior will be retained. Dogs chew because they are anxious or simply because they are bored.

There is a medical condition called Pica that causes puppies to eat things that aren’t food. This is because they are suffering from extreme nausea. If you think this could be the case take your dog to a vet for a check up.

Chewing is a necessary part of growing up for a puppy. It’s a way of discovering their world through their senses. Puppies are born with their eyes shut, so for the first part of their lives they learn about the world through touch and taste. Their major connection with their mother is through sucking, so it is easy to understand why puppies rely on their mouths to learn about their surrounds.

The problem with chewing is that not only can they destroy your things, but a puppy can harm themselves. Sharp objects and poisonous plants pose a risk to a puppy that chews. Minimize the risk by clearing your dog’s path of dangerous objects and make sure you enroll them in puppy school or understand how to train them properly from home and begin their obedience training.

How To Prevent Chewing In Dogs

Make sure they have plenty of things to chew on; dog biscuits or toys for example.

Make sure you are clear about what belongs to your and what belongs to the dog. When they chew something that is yours, reprimand them with a short NO. Ignore the dog for a few minutes, then give them one of their own toys to play with. Make sure you buy your dogs new toys, or else rotate the toys you have. Playing with the same things all the time can become boring over time. The NO command is very important for your dog’s obedience training. Whether you are dealing with chewing or another aspect of your dog’s behavior, start using this command as soon as your dog comes home for the first time. Using too many different words with your dog can confuse them. The No command is short and simple. Your dog will learn it very quickly.

When your dog is caught out chewing something they are not meant to, be sure to use the NO command. If they won’t drop the toy, try to pry it from their mouths gently. Don’t let this become a tug of war, your dog will interpret this as a fun game to play. Instead, clap your hands loudly or spray your dog with a bottle of water to get them to drop the item. Your dog will quickly learn that this item is not one for chewing, and drop it. Hopefully they won’t pick it up a second time. If they do, simply repeat the exercise. Over time your dog will be less and less likely to chew items they are not supposed to.

If your dog starts snarling or growling at you, this is a precursor to aggressive behavior and an entirely different problem. You should address this aggressive behavior before you try to stop your dog from chewing. Never put yourself or your family in danger of being bitten or attacked by a dog.

Chewing In Puppies

Many puppies like to lick their owner’s toes or fingers. While this can be quite cute when puppies are small, as they grow in the big strong dogs it can be annoying or even dangerous. This licking and nipping can lead to chewing, or even aggressive behavior such as nipping or biting.

When your puppy is young, make sure you don’t leave possessions in their path unless you want them chewed. If you place something directly in their line of site, a dog may think that this item belongs to them. Shoes, newspapers and children’s toys left on the ground can be chewed up if you leave them lying around. Once they are a bit older they will understand what is theirs and yours a bit better. If a dog has chewed up something of yours, such as a shoe, you may be tempted to let them keep it as a toy.

This is a big mistake. Your dog will then think they just need to chew something of yours up a little if they want it for themselves. Avoid giving your dog anything to chew that resembles something of your own. If you give your dog an old sock to play with, they may start to think they can chew up any socks they find lying around the house.

If your dog is particularly attracted to your furniture, you may wish to invest in some bitter apple spray. This bad tasting spray acts as an aversion, stopping dogs from chewing up your valuable possessions.

Make sure your dog is properly stimulated both mentally and physically. Make sure you take them for plenty of walks and spend time with them every day. Completing training together a few times a week is a great idea. Not only will it help establish discipline, but your relationship with your dog will be strengthened.

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