I've got the greatest dog, a female doberman. However, about two years ago, when she was about 1 1/2 years old she started chewing on the throw pillows on the couch. Only occassionly. Then she stopped. Then about four months ago, she chewed up my bedspread. So I locked her out of my bedroom. Problem solved. Then last night, she chewed up on of my throw pillows on the couch. She has lots of toys and chewy bones. So why does she chew on my pillows and blankets?
2006-08-10 02:59:06 · 20 answers · asked by Karen B 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Has anything changed? Maybe you are gone at a different time of the day/night, new special someone in your life?, new baby, someone move out? - this definately shounds like anxiety. There is a slight chance that she could have an ear infection - dogs will sometimes chew on stuff when they are hurting. If the problem continues, you may want to take her in for a quick check up. Also, you can go to WalMart and buy some stuff (I think it's called chewstop or something like that) that you spray on your furniture and pillows, things that you don't want chewed up - It works because the last puppy I bought was chewing up my couch and I got that - problem solved! Good Luck!
2006-08-10 03:35:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Discipline is the answer here. Your dog should be reprimanded or scolded whenever this behavior occurs. Yelling will usually do the trick but have the chewed article with you so the dog knows what's going on. Present the article to the dog, the dog should immediately have a guilty look on it's face indicating that it understands it did something wrong. Here comes the hard part first for the more gentle types Yell a loud NO! at the dog and if it tries to leave block it's escape present the item again and Yell NO!. For the more assertive types: A swat on the snout (don't be brutal two fingers is all you need just a tap will do you want its attention & not to injure) and the same NO! this may have to be repeated but if you are consistent in your discipline you will have no problem. As an added note dogs do not reach full maturity until the age of 2 so your dog is still basically a puppy try to be patient. Otherwise this is normal.
2016-03-27 06:29:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dog Bedspreads
2016-12-18 09:27:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be chewing out of boredom. I believe a lot of behavioral problems are caused by a lack of exercise. Make sure to walk your dog a couple of times each day, at least 15 minutes each time. Do this even if you have a large backyard that your dog can run around in. A walk is different than letting him run.
Also, it could be some sort of separation anxiety. It sounds like she's picking things that would have your scent on them. If you provide her with more exercise and structured exercise (walks on a leash) she should be too tired to go haywire with your pillows and blankets.
You could check out Ceaser Milan, the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic or you can rent the first season of his show. It's not a dog psychic show, don't worry. It's about understand what dogs need from us and how to give them structure. Giving them structure brings out the best in their behavior!
Oh, and you mentioned that she has toys. Try to play with her with those toys. Interact with her and the toys so she knows that's acceptable. And consider what kind of toys they are. Are they tough, rubber toys? Maybe she wants some soft, plush toys.
2006-08-10 03:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by stimply 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an anxiety thing. Your dog is your best friend and she isn't getting the attention she deserves. If a dog has their mind made up about chewing, no spray will stop them. It doesn't even affect my 1 year old German Shepherd. He chewed everything up, and donned the nickname, Goat. It was becuase i didn't pay enough attention to him. Don't let your dog have free run of the house. get her a crate or a dog bed and teach her thats her place at night. A dog who has run of the house at night it more apt to chew and destroy everything. Using a crate would probably work best, as it'll be routine, and she can depend on it.
Spend at least an hour each day with your dog, just one on one, petting her, brushing her, what ever it is you do. she's become more bonded and less goaty.
2006-08-10 03:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by Blondie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of dogs dont go for chew toys. Maybe the chew toys dont interest her and the pillows and blankets do. Only the dog knows why she likes him. Maybe you should just buy her some cheap pillows and blankets that she can chew on.
~Rickeisha
2006-08-10 03:05:03 · answer #6 · answered by Rickeisha AKA Keisha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i was gonna say that because your dog is teathing, but since your dog isnt a pup anymore it could be just the fact that those things attract your dog and perfers the pillows because they are more loose and softer and easier to tear up then one of his regular toys. At pet stores they sell huge bones with flavor and your dog might prefer that more, and might break the habbit of him biting on other items. I know how you fell our dog does the same except he chews on pencils and so there are peices of pencils along with other items lying around the house, well anyway i hope this helps you :o)'
2006-08-10 03:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She probably likes the feel of the material. What you've got to do is catch her in the act, tell her "NO!" very strongly then give her an alternative - a stuffed animal is good. Then as she plays with it, pet and praise her. Keep a lot of different stuffies available for her to play with. You can usually pick up sacks of stuffies at garage sales for next to nothing. It's a lot cheaper than $6 a toy at PetSmart. That's what I do for my dog since she tears them up so quickly.
2006-08-10 03:07:03 · answer #8 · answered by April M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's a nervous thing with her. My dog licks the carpet and upholstry for no reason. You might need to put the pillows away if you leave her in the house all alone. If you can't, I suggest getting bitter apple spray and she'll steer clear of those.
2006-08-10 03:02:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/05juU
If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.
It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.
2016-04-21 17:59:08 · answer #10 · answered by shanika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋