How to Solve Unwanted Chewing
One morning you wake up to find that your precious new pup has chewed up his own bed and your favorite pair of shoes. It’s not something out of the ordinary for them to do. Puppies use chewing as a tool to explore the world around them and to relieve their pain when they are teething. If the destructive chewing isn’t corrected early on it can be a lasting issue. Check out the tips listed below on how to solve unwanted chewing.
- Visit your veterinarian to make sure your dog doesn’t have any health problems that may be causing the chewing. Chewing can sometimes be a sign of poor diet, intestinal parasitism, or gastrointestinal problems. Once you eliminate the medical side you can move on to the next steps.
- Puppy proof your home to make sure there is nothing dangerous or valuable left out for your dog to get their paws on. Put away all cleaners, toxic plants, and exposed wires. Put all your shoes and anything else you might think will attract your dog in a decorative bin. Keep rooms with valuable or fragile things blocked off with a doggie gate to prevent them from getting into any trouble.
- Some dogs love to dig their teeth in wood so watch out for your chair legs and entryways. There are certain repellents you can purchase that will keep your dog away but just simply mixing vinegar and water usually does the trick.
- Before your pup is out of your eyesight make sure you provide them with plenty of toys to keep them occupied. It’s always a good idea to give them a sufficient amount of exercise everyday because normally dogs get in the most trouble when they are bored. Follow the links for a couple of useful chew toys.
- When you catch your dog in the act you want to remain calm because showing anger won’t help the situation. With a gentle touch remove your dog away from the object and redirect their behavior. Give them one of their own chew toys and praise them while they chew on that. This way they understand that you are happy with this action.
If your dog continues to chew even after you have followed these steps they may have separation anxiety. Be sure to check out the training services we offer here at Sit Means Sit. Our professional trainers will work with your dog to achieve their goals and get them on the right track. Call today to set up a free evaluation at (239) 494-1436.