5 Stop Dog Chewing Tips that Work

Any dog owner will tell you how much his dog loves to chew. Chewing is a very natural aspect of a dog’s behavior. It is through chewing that the dog is able to examine the item or move it from place to place. Unfortunately, chewing causes wear and tear and this can be very frustrating when the item is of value to you.

Puppies also like to chew everything in their sight when they are undergoing the teething phase. Chewing helps to alleviate some of the pain they experience. How can you stop dog chewing or at the very least protect your precious things? Here are five tips that you can follow.

Keep Your Personal Belongings Locked Away

Dogs are excellent sniffers; this much is known. Your dog will be attracted to your natural scent even if you can’t actually smell it on your items. It is therefore important to keep your apparels and shoes away from your dog. Avoid giving your dog an old piece of clothing to chew on. While you may have no need for the shirt anymore, he will not be able to differentiate between the old shirt and the brand new sweater you bought last week.

Do Not Attempt to Pull an Item out of Your Dog’s Mouth

You may want to try and salvage what is left of the item, but attempting to pull it out of your dog’s mouth will only agitate him. It also encourages him to gnaw at the item to protect his own possession. However, this does not mean you should let it slide; your dog will continue chewing on inappropriate items if you don’t put an end to his behavior. To get him to release the item, you should distract him with a reward or treat. He will open his jaw to receive the treat, thereby dropping the item.

Purchase Many Toys For Him To Play With

Your dog may chew on your personal items because he doesn’t have a chewing toy. When you need to leave him alone, be sure to shower him with his favorite chewing toys so that he will not pick up new items. These toys need not be expensive at all. A simple tennis ball can keep your dog entertained all day. Give him a variety of toys to choose from so that he doesn’t get bored. You will need to train him so that he can figure out the type of toys he is allowed to chew. Simply reward him when he chews the right toy.

Keep Him Active

Dogs also have a habit of chewing when they are bored. To prevent chewing out of boredom, you need to keep him active. Bring him out to exercise. Allow him to run around the house for a couple of hours. This will help you stop dog chewing.

Coping with Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is very common in dogs which have developed a very strong bond with their owners. In the absence of their owners, they become anxious and they engage in self destructive behavior such as chewing. If you suspect your dog to be suffering from separation anxiety, you need to slowly and discreetly exit your house. You will also have to train him gradually to let him get used to your absence.