When you do catch your dog chewing, stop it with a verbal command or a loud noise. When your dog stops, provide a chew toy. When your dog starts chewing on the toy, provide praise and positive reinforcement. Chew toy choices vary.
Do your best to supervise your dog during all waking hours until you feel confident that his chewing behavior is under control. If you see him licking or chewing an item he shouldn't, say “Uh-oh,” remove the item from your dog's mouth, and insert something that he CAN chew. Then praise him happily.
Make sure items like shoes, clothes and any prized possessions are picked up and put away. Exercise your dog before leaving him for a time period with an appropriate chew toy. If your dog chews something that is not his, give him the verbal instruction “No” then redirect him to chewing an approved toy.
Luckily, it can be fairly straightforward to train them to chew the “right” things. There are several steps you can take to protect your possessions and furniture from curious mouths. These tips are best used from an early age, but adult dogs will be able to learn too – it might just take a bit more patience from you.
The act of chewing is enjoyable, mentally stimulating, and comforting for most dogs, activating the pleasure centers in their brains. Some dogs never get tired of chewing. Age may also affect your dogs need to chew.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) features a strong scent and an unpleasant bitter/sour taste, so it should stop your dog from chewing whatever you spray it on. It also won't hurt them if they give it a little lick. It's my top choice for natural pest control, too.
Puppies three to six months of age often chomp when teething. Dogs at play typically bite and carry objects. Really hungry dogs may gnaw when searching for something to eat. Chewing objects may also aid in keeping teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Play, Boredom, and/or Social Isolation. Normal play behavior can result in destruction, as it may involve digging, chewing, shredding, and/or shaking toy-like objects. Since dogs investigate objects by pawing at them and exploring them with their mouth, they may inadvertently damage items in their environment.
When your dog becomes a fully grown adult, the desire to chew will diminish, but will not go completely. You can give an adult dog chews throughout their life to exercise jaws and, chews like dental sticks, will help to keep their teeth clean, though the best way to keep them clean is by brushing them regularly.
Not inflicting pain or instilling fear in the dog. Influencing an animal's behavior without the use of force. Constructive disciplinary techniques such as removal, time outs, taking something of value away, ignoring behavior and interrupting negative behavior with a vocal interrupter.
Destruction due to boredom and lack of exercise
If your dog only starts destroying things after you have left the house for a certain amount of time, it's probably simply doing so out of boredom. In fact, boredom is the most common trigger for destructive behaviour amongst dogs.
The first phase of chewing happens because the puppy is teething, and he is compelled to have things in his mouth during this period. It normally ceases when all adult teeth come in so it should be winding down about 5-6 months of age.
There are some behaviors you don't want to ignore, such as puppy nipping or pulling on leash. Any behavior that feels good to your dog, is naturally calming (such as licking or chewing), or is fun to do is not likely to go away when ignored.
"Dogs forget an event within two minutes," reported National Geographic, citing a 2014 study performed on various animals from rats to bees. Other animals have long-term memories, such as dolphins, but dogs don't seem to have a long-term memory that lasts much beyond those two minutes.
Possible Cause: Stress/Anxiety
If your dog destructively chews on objects due to anxiety or stress, the best way to combat this is to avoid the situations that cause this stress response all together, if possible.
Taste deterrents take advantage of your pet's dislike of bitter and spicy flavors by using those sensations to discourage chewing. Bitter apple sprays and spicy or hot sprays are commonly used deterrents.
At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs can't stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
Lemon has a powerful odor and taste that can help deter dogs from puppy nipping. Citrus fruits, in general, have chemical compounds that most dogs find unpleasant. With such a strong sense of smell, lemon is capable of deterring many nipping behaviors.
Dog chewing isn't out of anger or spite. They chew because they are dogs and dogs have a natural, instinctual desire to chew. It helps alleviate discomfort in teething puppies and relieves stress and boredom in dogs of all ages. Above all other reasons, it's enjoyable – chewing feels good to them.
Ignoring a jumping dog means taking a step away, turning your head away from the dog, crossing your arms and saying nothing every time the dog jumps up. Refrain from pushing, pulling, touching or talking to the dog, as this is all reinforcing her jumping behavior.
Ways to Curb Your Dog's Unusual Eating Habits
Increase your pup's exercise and enrichment throughout the day. A tired and busy dog is less likely to nibble on things they shouldn't. Clean your backyard frequently to remove any rocks, poops, or other items. If it isn't there, your pup can't eat it.
Chewing provides a nervous, bored, or lonely dog with an outlet for its emotions. To an anxious dog, the repetitive act of chewing is soothing – it's the doggie equivalent of comfort food. Dogs that do not get enough exercise often use chewing as a way of burning up nervous energy and giving themselves something to do.
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
Negative punishment is when you take away a desired stimulus after a undesired behavior is performed making the behavior less likely to happen in the future. For example you are walking your dog and they start to pull, You stop walking and wait till your dog stops pulling.