Dogs and chewing

Chewing

Some owners give their dogs household items such as old shoes to chew on, but this is a terrible idea!  The dog will learn to look at household objects with family-members’ scent on it as chew-toys.  He also can’t distinguish between an old pair of sneakers and the brand new $200.00 ones.  Purchase special toys just for the dog!  Hopefully you have already purchased some safe, sturdy chew-toys as recommended elsewhere on these pages.  Make sure he has access to them and has the opportunity to settle down and have a good session of chewing at least once or twice a day.  If his jaws are tired, he is less likely to find something inappropriate to chew on.  Remember, dogs need to chew!  It is your job to make sure they chew on something appropriate and safe.

If you find the dog has chewed on something he shouldn’t, the advice is similar to when the dog eliminates in the house.  Guess whom you should blame?  That’s right:  yourself, again!  You trusted the dog too soon!  This fact may be hard to remember when the dog has done several hundred dollars’ worth of damage, but remember it you must.  Don’t tally up the bill until you have had a chance to cool off!

If the dog has already finished with his destruction, it is too late to correct the dog.  Crate him and supervise more carefully in the future.  Do not allow the dog a second opportunity to practice the behavior, which can become self-reinforcing with time.  You don’t want Fido to have the opportunity to learn that  the couch provides a more-satisfying chew-toy than his Nylabone! 

If you catch Fido in the act of tearing up the furniture or linoleum, interrupt him the way you would in mid-poop (“AAAH!”)  Grab a chew-toy and redirect him to a toy he is allowed to have.  Praise and pet him for “choosing” the right toy.  Remember to confine and supervise him more carefully in the future. 

            If your puppy is teething, giving him something cold to chew on can help reduce teething and soothe his gums. If he is mouthing, chewing on, or chewing through fabric items like leashes or clothing, try spraying the mouthed items with something bitter. You may have to experiment until you find something color-fast that the puppy hates the taste of. My personal favorite is McNasty available online from Valley Vet Supply. It is non-toxic and designed to keep horses from cribbing, or chewing the wood on their stalls. It is pricey but most dogs can’t stand it. There are also commercially available bitter sprays sold at major retail centers and pet stores, but I have not yet found one that works as well as McNasty. Please note that the bitters sprays are to be sprayed on wood or fabric items you do not want your dog to chew. They are NOT to be sprayed at your dog!!