Dogs are
natural chewers, but when that chewing becomes destructive, it can quickly
become a problem. Shoes, furniture, electrical cords, and even personal items
like phones or remote controls can fall victim to your dog’s chewing habits.
While chewing is a normal behavior, excessive or destructive chewing can be a
sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of proper training. Fortunately, with the
right approach, you can train your dog to stop chewing on inappropriate items
and redirect that energy into more positive outlets. This article will provide
you with effective training techniques to handle and resolve destructive
chewing.
Why
Do Dogs Chew?
Before
addressing how to stop destructive chewing, it’s important to understand why
dogs chew in the first place. Chewing is a natural and instinctual behavior for
dogs, but there are several factors that can lead to excessive or inappropriate
chewing.
- Teething (Puppies): Puppies, like babies, go
through a teething process where their baby teeth fall out, and adult
teeth come in. This can cause discomfort and lead to chewing as a way of
soothing their gums.
- Solution: Provide your puppy with
appropriate chew toys to help alleviate the discomfort. Nylabones, rubber
toys, or frozen chew toys can offer relief during this teething period.
- Boredom: A bored dog will often look
for ways to entertain themselves, and chewing becomes a way to pass the
time. If your dog isn’t getting enough physical or mental stimulation,
they may turn to chewing to release pent-up energy.
- Solution: Increase your dog’s physical
exercise and mental stimulation by providing puzzle toys, interactive
games, and more playtime. A tired dog is less likely to engage in
destructive behavior.
- Separation Anxiety: Some dogs chew when they’re
left alone due to anxiety or fear. Chewing can be a way for them to
self-soothe or deal with stress.
- Solution: If your dog’s chewing is
related to separation anxiety, work on crate training and desensitization
to being alone. Gradually increasing the time they spend alone in a
comfortable space can help reduce anxiety-driven chewing.
- Attention-Seeking: Dogs quickly learn that
chewing can get your attention. If you react strongly to their chewing
(whether by scolding or trying to take the object away), they may continue
the behavior to get a reaction from you.
- Solution: Ignore the chewing behavior
and only provide attention when your dog is chewing on appropriate items.
Reward them for choosing the right items to chew on.
- Lack of Proper Training: Sometimes, dogs chew simply
because they haven’t been taught what’s acceptable to chew on and what’s
not. They may not understand the difference between their toys and your
shoes.
- Solution: Train your dog to understand
what is and isn’t acceptable to chew by using positive reinforcement and
redirection.
“Dog ignoring your commands? One trainer’s trick changed everything see it here!”
How
to Stop Destructive Chewing in Dogs
Training your
dog to stop chewing destructively requires patience, consistency, and a few
simple strategies. Here are some effective ways to redirect your dog’s chewing
behavior:
- Provide Appropriate Chew Toys: The first step in preventing
destructive chewing is to provide your dog with appropriate alternatives.
Make sure to give your dog a variety of chew toys that are safe and
stimulating.
- Tip: Choose chew toys based on
your dog’s size, age, and chewing strength. For example, hard rubber toys
or dental chews work well for adult dogs, while softer toys are better
for puppies who are teething.
- Redirect Attention: If you catch your dog chewing
on something they shouldn’t, immediately redirect them to an appropriate
chew toy. When they start chewing on the toy, praise them and offer a
treat.
- Tip: Consistently reward your dog
when they chew on their toys to reinforce the desired behavior. Over
time, they will learn that toys are the best option for chewing.
- Use Deterrents: If your dog is chewing on
furniture or other household items, consider using a pet-safe deterrent
spray. These sprays have an unpleasant taste that discourages chewing.
- Tip: Make sure to test the
deterrent on a small, inconspicuous area of your furniture before
applying it to larger surfaces to ensure it doesn’t cause damage.
- Supervise and Contain: When you’re not able to
supervise your dog, keep them in a safe space where they can’t access
items they’re prone to chew on. Crate training can be a helpful tool for
preventing destructive chewing while you’re away.
- Tip: When leaving your dog in a
crate, provide them with a durable chew toy to keep them occupied and
prevent boredom.
- Chewing in Moderation: Dogs, especially puppies,
need to chew for teething purposes, so it's important to balance your
training with allowing them to satisfy that need in a controlled way.
Ensure that they have the freedom to chew on safe toys.
Training
to Prevent Destructive Chewing
In addition to
providing alternatives to inappropriate chewing, you’ll need to teach your dog
proper behavior through training. Here’s how:
- Teach “Leave It” and “Drop It”
Commands:
Teaching your dog the “leave it” or “drop it” commands will help them understand
that certain objects are off-limits. These commands are helpful in
situations where your dog picks up something they shouldn’t.
- Tip: Practice the “leave it”
command with treats or toys. Reward your dog when they obey, and
gradually increase the difficulty by using more tempting objects.
- Positive Reinforcement: Whenever your dog chews on
the right items, reward them with praise or treats. Positive reinforcement
will help your dog associate chewing toys with good things.
- Tip: Be consistent with rewards
and use high-value treats when introducing a new toy or training method
to keep your dog engaged.
- Correct Unwanted Chewing with
Redirection:
If your dog continues to chew on the wrong things, immediately redirect
their attention to an appropriate chew toy. Avoid scolding or punishing
your dog, as this can cause confusion and anxiety. Instead, calmly remove
the item and offer the correct one.
- Tip: Keep a variety of chew toys
in areas where your dog tends to chew the most to make it easier for them
to choose the right item.
When
to Seek Professional Help
If your dog’s
destructive chewing persists despite your efforts, it may be time to seek
professional help. An animal behaviorist or trainer can help identify the root
cause of the chewing and provide personalized training strategies.
Additionally, if the chewing is caused by anxiety or stress, a veterinarian may
be able to provide guidance or suggest medications to help your dog cope.
Conclusion
Destructive
chewing is a common issue, but with the right training and strategies, you can
stop your dog from chewing on inappropriate items. By providing appropriate
chew toys, redirecting their attention, and using positive reinforcement, you
can help your dog learn what’s acceptable to chew on and keep your belongings
safe. With patience and consistency, your dog will learn to redirect their
chewing habits into more productive and enjoyable activities.
Infographic
“This simple brain game made my dog stop barking like crazy you’ve got to try it!”
Pro Tip: Keep your home dog-proof by
securing valuable or hazardous items out of your dog’s reach until they’ve
mastered proper chewing behavior.
References
- "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat
Miller
- "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by Monks of New
Skete
- PetMD – https://www.petmd.com
- American Kennel Club (AKC) – https://www.akc.org
- "Don't Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and
Training" by Karen Pryor
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