How to stop my dog from chewing on things?
Chewing is a normal canine behavior that serves several purposes. For puppies, chewing helps alleviate teething discomfort and aids in the development of their jaws and teeth. In adult dogs, chewing provides mental stimulation and can also be a way to relieve boredom, or anxiety.
There are a few things you can do to stop your dog from chewing on things:
- Provide them with plenty of chew toys. There are a variety of chew toys available, so you should be able to find some that your dog will enjoy. Some good options include bones, rubber toys, and Kong toys.
- Redirect their chewing to appropriate objects. If you catch your dog chewing on something they shouldn't be chewing on, calmly redirect them to a chew toy. You can also try giving them a treat when they chew on a chew toy.
- Train them not to chew on inappropriate objects. You can do this by using positive reinforcement. When your dog is chewing on a chew toy, praise them and give them a treat. If they start chewing on something they shouldn't be chewing on, calmly say "no" and redirect them to a chew toy.
- Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. Bored dogs are more likely to chew on things out of boredom. Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise and mental stimulation by playing with them, taking them for walks, and training them.
- Supervise your dog when they are unsupervised. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent your dog from chewing on things. When you are not able to supervise your dog, keep them in a safe place where they cannot get to anything they shouldn't be chewing on.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to stop your dog from chewing on things. However, it is important to be patient and consistent. It may take some time for your dog to learn what is appropriate to chew on and what is not.
Here are some additional tips to help you stop your dog from chewing on things:
- Identify the triggers. What is it that makes your dog start chewing? Is it boredom? Stress? Separation anxiety? Once you know what triggers your dog's chewing, you can start to address the underlying issue.
- Make sure your dog's environment is safe. Remove anything that your dog could potentially chew on, such as electrical cords, furniture, and shoes. You may also want to consider putting up baby gates to keep your dog out of certain areas of the house.
- Use a Calming/ Anti-anxiety product. This will help if the chewing or destruction is a direct result of anxiety-based behaviours. These can help keep your dog calm and reduce anxiety levels.
- Be consistent. If you don't consistently enforce the rules, your dog will not learn what is appropriate to chew on and what is not. Be sure to praise your dog when they chew on appropriate objects and redirect them to a chew toy if they start chewing on something they shouldn't be chewing on.
With patience and consistency, you should be able to stop your dog from chewing on things.