Pitbull owners only: How can I get my 9 month old pitbull to stop chewing EVERYTHING!?

Question

My first pitbull which I got as an adult is a female and she is 4 yrs old and was the PERFECT dog! Then, this past January I got another pitbull, a male puppy this time. He is very loveable & house trained (except when he gets excited and urinates all over) but he chews up everything(my sons toys, my coffee table and couch have been ripped up and eaten, my carpet was pulled completely up and chewed up all the padding below it). And now my older female pit has started chewing too! I have tried being stern with them, buying them chew toys, giving them lots of attention and nothing seems to work! Everytime I leave the house I come home and something is DESTROYED! I love them and will NOT give them up, but need some advice from pitbull owners on what has worked for them...I cant even take them to obediance class because they are pitbulls and that breed is not accepted! PLESE HELP!!!!

Wow, there are some real ignorant people out there. If you knew anything about the history of pitbulls and they were once considered one of the kindest dog until idiot humans started training them to be violent. If you have negative crap to say, keep it to yourself! I wasnt asking you, i was asking pitbull owners if you read the question!

We did start using a crate when we are not home, but I'd like to not have to do that if possible

Answer 1

My Pit chewed a lot when he was a puppy but as he got older he stopped. Until that time we kept him crated when we were not home. Crating a dog is good for them and you, it keeps them out of trouble and harm. You can also buy sprays at the pet store that leaves a awful taste in their mouth and they associate that with the items then. I used Bitter Apple and it worked great. It does not hurt them in any way. My Pit also behaved a great deal better when he had tons of exercise, if he did not get enough he became a little destructive. Sorry about the ignorant people its really annoying that people can be lacking that much intelligence and incapable of making their mind up by experience and not the news media.

Answer 2

Try and buy a Kong from the pet store and put treats in it. Another thing you might want to try is wetting a washcloth or hand towel (depending on how big he is now) and freezing it and then letting the dog chew on it - under supervision though so they don't rip it up and swallow it. If the dog is still teething it will sooth the gums. At the end of the day - the best way to stop chewing is positive reinforcement. Every time you take something "bad" away replace it with something "good." This means having a small artillery of things that are "good" on hand but it will save your sanity at the end of the day.

Here toy that a lot of dogs go nuts for and part of your $ goes to the rescue of your choice. http://www.helpingudders.com/Shop.htm Military dogs chew on these so they should work well for your Pit. :-)

Answer 3

I just saw this on the Dog Whisperer. I don't have these dogs but know enough about them to know they are bored. The male probably started it because he isn't trained. They both need to be PROFESSIONALLY trained...call a trainer that comes to you...there are a lot out there that will do that. They both need lots of activity with you when you're home. Take them for a long walk or play with them for a long time before you leave. Housebreaking IS NOT ENOUGH with these dogs! Neither is love! You need to get them VERY WELL trained, they need to see you as the alpha! Once they are trained, you need to maintain the training. These dogs are a breed that is not suitable for everyone...I really feel that anyone wanting a pitbull should be trained in their care. They've gotten a bad rap because of bad owners and well-intentioned owners that simply don't give them all they need in the way of training and activity. In the meantime, they need to be crated until they can be trusted alone in the house. The also need to be spayed & neutered if they are not...that will help with problem behavior.

Answer 4

Have you tried spraying everything in your house with products like Bitter Yuck, Bitter Mist, Bitter Apple etc? Most of those products don't stain or cause damage to household items, and prevent/minimize chewing. An animal behaviorist could also help, and you need to do some more looking into obedience schools. There should be someone out there who is willing to let one in their class. Crating them while I was away has worked for me. Some dogs are lonely, and chew while owners are gone, music, tv left on, etc helps for some as well. I videotaped my dogs playing, and set it on a loop, so that they could watch themselves all day while I was at work. I've also called home and left myself messages so they could hear my voice every couple hours. Sometimes medication for behavioral problems are in order. Ask your veterinarian for advice as well. Talk to your local pit rescue, they can offer advice, training tips, and point you to some schools etc that allow pits to be there.

Answer 5

I am not an owner however I am a trainer. I would advise crate training the puppy. Keep the pup crated unless you are home and make it a happy place with toys and a blanket, etc.

For chewing on hard objects... I suggest Vaseline mixed with lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Rub it on the hard surface and boy... they will NOT chew it. Soft chewers are really hard to stop..... be sure you have soft toys like booda bones.. rope toys, etc.

Hope I helped and good luck!

Ignore the fools that know NOTHING about the breed.

If ignorance is bliss..... some of these people must be orgasmic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

i have an American pit bull terrier and i just about threw up when i read another answer that said they have raised many pits and they recommend SMACKING them on the nose even if they say you only have to smack them once! that is ridiculous! NEVER, NEVER teach a dog aggression! if you have not tried it, try a product called apple bitter. well, first of all crate them, or just the one if you can trust the female. second, when you are around, spray the product IN THE MOUTH as you give the "no" command, when they are chewing inappropriately. give them plenty of toys and raw hides to chew instead. i cannot believe some answers that said to spread Tabasco or pepper sauces all over your stuff, or cover your stuff in the bitter spray. don't ruin your furniture to keep your dog from ruining your furniture. sounds like common sense, i know! good luck and stay with it.

Answer 7

I have a pit bull, chow and lab mix. Crate training helps a lot when they are a puppy, make sure they have chew toys when teething. I put hot sauce on the area where Gizmo was chewing as a pup and it stopped him. He's 6 years old now, stays in the house all day and doesn't bother anything.

Answer 8

as a proud owner of 2 pitbulls they are the most beautiful animal IF they are treated correctly. my male was the same way he still pees a little when he gets excited and he is 8 yrs old he also chewed everything up ecspecially when he was left home alone. i would try to get a water bottle and spray him every time you catch him doing it

Answer 9

Puppies chew. Our pup destroyed several pairs of shoes before he finally got out of the puppy phase and learned that inside things are not for chewing. (Anything in the yard is still fair game, though.)

I was able to find one article online about chewing but am not super happy with the "keep your stuff away from the dog" preaching. We've never left our dog home, alone, though, so perhaps it really is just too tempting for them. For what it's worth, here's the link:
http://www.atlantahumane.org/aa%20info/mainhtml/CHEW.htm.

I'm a big fan of John Ross, who wrote Puppy Preschool, but I couldn't find his advice online (which is good for him since I'm sure it sells more books).

Is putting them outside or crating options for you? Best of luck!

Answer 10

well i got a puppy pitbull 7 mothns at first he wus like that i jus use 2 go 2 him when i cought him in action and SAY NO!! dont hit da dog he will understand after a while and give him time out even if he cryes leave him in time out by puttin him in a room with the door shot when he stays quiet u take him out leave him 4 lik 10 minutes the most in time out then he and she will understand no means no....

from JaY