Help! My Dog is Chewing Everything
Dogs are some of the best companions a person can ask for, but sometimes they can be a bit ornery. Dogs love to chew on things and they can be very stubborn when it comes to stopping them. Even though it is very frustrating, there are several things you can try to keep your house from being chewed to pieces.
Why They Chew
Boredom
When dogs have nothing to do, they get pretty creative. Anything can be turned into their next chew toy.
Teething
Puppies go through a period in their life when all of their puppy teeth fall out and their adult teeth are growing in. This happens about 6 months into a puppy's life. It can be very painful and chewing relieves some of that pain.
Anxiety
Some dogs chew simply because they have separation anxiety. Chewing is a form of stress relief for dogs, so they will find anything to relieve their anxiety when you are away.
How to Stop the Chewing
Training
This may seem obvious, but all dogs learn differently. Use short commands that they can better understand, such as "NO" or "Leave it." When your dog responds correctly, give them a treat and praise them. Not all dogs respond to treats or praise. Figure out which they respond most to and be consistent with commands.
Puppy Proof and Confine
When you are away from home and can't watch your dog for chewing, keep them in a safe area with a baby gate. Make sure everything in the gated area is puppy proofed. You can puppy proof by putting objects they can chew on in high, out of sight places and putting some sort of barrier around wooden furniture or anything else they can fit their mouth around.
Provide Toys
Each and every dog has a certain type of toy that they prefer to play with. There are ropes, balls, bones, and so many other types of toys. Figure out which types of toys your dog likes most and give them plenty to keep them occupied.
Exercise Your Dog
Dogs will sometimes chew on things because they have a ton of energy that they need to get rid of. Make sure that you are giving your dog plenty of exercise throughout the day with walks and/or playing in the yard. Exercise also reduces your dog's stress.
Non-Toxic Sprays
If nothing else stops the chewing, you can spray a safe bitter apple spray onto anything that your dog likes to chew on, including furniture and shoes. Dogs do not like the taste of it and it keeps their mouth off of everything. There are commercial sprays, such as Grannick's Bitter Apple, that is completely safe for your dog to ingest. You can also make your own with 2 parts apple cider vinegar, 1 part white vinegar, and water in a spray bottle.
Utilizing these helpful tips should keep all of your belongings safe from chewing pets. If you have any questions, contact us! We would be happy to help you get your dog to stop chewing everything.