What do you do with a dog that chews up everything you own?

Answer 1

Take responsibility for your own belongings: If you don't want it in your dog's mouth, don't make it available. Keep clothing, shoes, books, trash, eyeglasses, and remote control devices out of your dog's reach.

Don't confuse your dog by offering him shoes and socks as toys and then expecting him to distinguish between his shoe and yours. Your dog's toys should be clearly distinguishable from household goods.

Until he learns the house rules, confine him when you're unable to keep an eye on him. Choose a "safe place" that's dog-proof, and provide fresh water and "safe" toys. If your dog is crate trained, you may also place him in his crate for short periods of time.

Give your dog plenty of people-time. Your dog won't know how to behave if you don't teach him alternatives to inappropriate behavior, and he can't learn these when he's in the yard by himself.

If, and only if, you catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn't, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, offer him an acceptable chew toy instead, and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth.

Have realistic expectations. At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value; this is often part of the transition to a new home. Your dog needs time to learn the house rules and you need to remember to take precautions and keep things out of his reach.

Chewing is normal behavior for curious puppies who may be teething, but adult dogs may engage in destructive chewing for any number of reasons. In order to deal with the behavior, you must first determine why your dog is chewing—and remember, he's not doing it to spite you.

Answer 2

Is it a dog or a puppy? Puppies chew just to chew.

Dogs like to be in a pack, and when they are alone (while their human is at work) they get lonely. Attention and inclusion are very important.

My dog pulled a kleenex out of the trash the other day and shredded it. He hasn't done that in years. I had been busier than normal for a week and hadn't given him as much attention as he was used to. He was just trying to tell me he needed more.

Consider extra exercise for the dog, a couple of toys just for the dog to chew, and lots of extra attention coupled with positive reinforcement of wanted behavior. Good luck!

Answer 3

Try to keep the main areas of attack out of reach or locked away somewhere. Make sure also that your dog has plenty toys and that you spend an adequate amount of time playing with him. Boredom leads to destructive behaviour. Also when you're out keep the dog in a room with minimum things to chew on.

Answer 4

you can either get rid of it or train it not to chew stuff up. Like get the dog its own toys and make sure all of your stuff is up, so if it wants to chew on your things it has to reach for them and when it reaches you tell it NO and make sure it understands a that reaching, snooping and chewing will not be tolerated, whatever... they eventually get the hint

Answer 5

Either get this dog a chew toy or build it a dog house outside.

Answer 6

Get snoopy some more stuff to chew!
Get rid of the dog or become a responsible dog owner. You shouldn't have a dog. You can't train it or take care of it!

Answer 7

Make sure you have everything put up so he can't get to anything. Then spray everything else w/ bitter yuck or bitter apple. Then when they do start chewing on something give them a negative marker. Make sure he has plenty that is ok to chew on.

Answer 8

Nylabones and Kongs! You can find either at any pet store. The Kongs are hollow in the middle so you can stuff them with food to keep the dog occupied. Keeps him busy and cures boredom. He's most likely bored/lonely.

Some good daily exercise will help a lot too, to work off nervous energy.

Answer 9

Let me know too. I just put spicy pepper on a couple things to see if he gets the hint and stops chewing whatever he feels is his

Answer 10

What is his favorite thing of yours to chew? Cover it in hot sauce and leave it available (unless he's like my crazy dog and actually *likes* the stuff-- the hotter the better he likes it!)