The Chewing Stage?

Question

My dog is four months old.
She seems to be going through a teething stage or something, because all of a sudden she is now chewing on everything and doesnt seem all too interested in her toys anymore. Whenever I take away whatever I dont want her to chew, she tries to fight me for it, and bites?

Answer 1

dogs chewing stage is until they are 18 months of age. you should gave her lots of chew toys at this age or else she will chew whatever she could find. praise her if she will chew on her toy so she will understand which ones are good.

you should do something with her biting you or else she would grow up an aggressive dog. try training her with "give" command. give her a treat if she will give you the toy and praise her constantly.

Answer 2

Puppies teeth between 3 - 5 months old. Teething is only one reason a dogs chews. Dogs can chew well into adulthood. When your dog has an object that you don't want her to have, just offer ther something that she will want more. Most dogs will be happy to drop a shoe for a treat.

Answer 3

If you don't want her to chew something, try spraying some "Bitter Apple" on it (you can buy it at pet supply stores). Otherwise, if you see her chewing, try spraying her with water from a spray bottle when you catch her.

As for the biting - a dog should never bite her owner (or anyone else!). You should be very firm with her an not allow her to nip. Sometimes a firm, but gentle, whap on the nose helps dogs learn what not to do. If you do this, remember to be gentle - you don't want to hurt her, just startle her.

Answer 4

PUPPIES CAN CAUSE an amazing amount of destruction. They can scratch deep grooves into wooden doors and moldings, dig up carefully placed landscaping, or chew their owners' prized possessions. This damage not only is expensive, it erodes the human-animal bond and may even endanger a pet's health.' As with many behavior problems, destructive behavior can often be avoided by providing acceptable alternatives.

This article provides recommendations on how to prevent and treat a common destructive behavior in puppies: inappropriate chewing. Adult-onset destructive chewing, which can be due to a behavioral condition such as separation anxiety, is not covered.

Chewing is a normal behavior that becomes unacceptable when exhibited in the wrong place. Young canids use their mouths and teeth to eat, explore their environment, and relieve stress and boredom. (See "How to manage play nipping in puppies.") And puppies chew more than usual when their permanent teeth erupt.

Moreover, a medical problem can lead to destructive chewing. Pica (eating nonnutritive substances) is thought to result from the same physiologic state that produces emesis, presumably nausea. This correlation was shown in rats that exhibited pica after being given apomorphine hydrochloride, which causes vomiting. So gastrointestinal distress may make puppies nauseated, inducing them to chew and consume inappropriate items in an attempt to feel better. A thorough history and medical workup may be needed to rile out nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal problems in puppies that chew excessively.

Steps to prevent destructive chewing

Match the pet to the lifestyle

When choosing a purebred puppy, prospective owners shouldn't simply pick the one with the cutest furry face. They should first investigate the breed's behavioral traits, including its tendency to chew. In addition, veterinarians, pet store personnel, and breeders can help prospective owners choose purebred or mixed-breed dogs that suit their lifestyles. For example, an easy-going person may be annoyed by a highly energetic puppy. Such a puppy is likely to become a chewer and may be restricted to the backyard, where it will probably dig or bark excessively. Eventually, the owner may give up on the puppy and take it to a shelter. On the other hand, young children, active individuals, or a high-energy household may intimidate or stress a quiet or shy puppy. This too can lead to destructive behavior, often as a form of stress release. Finally, a family that is out of the house eight to 12 hours a day may be better off with a different species of pet altogether (e.g. a cat, hamster, or reptile).

How to manage play nipping in puppies

If a puppy's oral behavior extends to nipping and biting, the pet needs to be taught the limits of such mouthing. Unlike chewing behavior, mouthing is usually motivated by inappropriate social play. If the puppy were raised in a pack, its mother and the other adult dogs would not permit such liberties-and neither should people. To prevent or eliminate play nipping, advise owners to avoid using their hands in play unless they are petting their dogs or tossing a toy to be fetched.' Also tell owners to avoid rough play and tug of war. Such activity can excite the puppy, prompting mouthing of the owner vs. chewing on a toy. Instead, advise owners to use toys such as balls and ropes that keep hands at a distance.

Puppy bites necessitate a firm "no" and quick withdrawal of the owner's hand from the puppy's reach. When the owner's hand is withdrawn, the puppy's game no longer works. If the puppy still insists on biting in play, some carefully measured discipline is required. For example, the owner might quickly grasp the puppy's mouth, holding it firmly closed until the puppy relaxes or whimpers for a few seconds. If the puppy interprets that response as play, becomes defensive or overly fearful, or challenges the owner, all such direct punishment must cease. In many cases, leaving the room to socially isolate the puppy for 30 to 120 seconds is enough for the puppy to learn that mouthing is unacceptable.

Owners may also need to put a bitter-tasting substance on their hands, as described for chewing problems. This tells the puppy that hand chewing is unpleasant. Other forms of acceptable puppy discipline include using a squirt bottle or water gun; a shaker can; loud, hand-operated horns; or a head halter.2 These techniques work only if they are handy when needed. It is best to have several options in place wherever the owner and the puppy spend time together. When the puppy's play gets too rough, a deep, firm "no" needs to be followed by an effective intervention. This combination gives the puppy the vocal cue that it has overstepped acceptable bounds and reinforces that its actions will have consequences.

Answer 5

She's teething, and her gums are itching and/or aching. This is the bet time to teach her that you can take anything she has away from her anytime you want.

When she chews on something she's not supposed to, chastise the object she's chewing on, not her. This will increase her confidence. Then, give her something she can and is allowed to chew on. Praise her for chewing on it. And, when you're not at home, put her in a kennel or crate with a couple of chewies in order to further safeguard your house.

Answer 6

Yes. All puppies have itching teeth because the teeth are growing. My 5 year old Golden Retriever's 'chewing stage' ended at a little later than one year while my 9 month old Shih Tzu is still destroying the house. I suggest buying her a small (SMALL) tug of war rope. Buy small moist treats and rub them on her side of the rope. About fifteen minutes of tug of war excercise should ease her itching teeth spasms.

Answer 7

You need to smack it in the nose and say NO BITE. I did this with my puppy and now he chews his toys and not the kids toys, also try giving him pig ears or other flavored chew objects. Sometimes this will keep them busy, but you must discipline the dog

Answer 8

i know exactly what you mean, i have a six month old dog, he's just getting out of that stage, he chewed on everything. he has slowed down a lot now, he mostly just chews on his rawhide bones now, he absolutely loves them.

during the bad chewing stage to keep him from chewing up important things, we layed out things he was allowed to chew all in his area (rawhide bones, squeaky toys, plastic cups, a good variety), and we put a baby gate on the stairs to keep him on one floor of the house to watch him better.

Answer 9

Well, that's how dogs are sometimes they like to chew and use sometimes thier old toys. And, just try to put in the toys in the box so your dog will play whatever toys he/she likes

Answer 10

For me Puppies=Destruction.