He is a little long haired chihuahua and is 10 weeks old. He bites and chews anything and everything he sees. I do have puppy toys and bones but he still likes to chew rugs, furniture, kids toys, etc. I know this is normal puppy behavior, but I have heard it is a bad habit that you don't want them to continue.
2006-12-10 08:57:33 · 19 answers · asked by **sumluv** 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Gregr,
Why a chihuahua? I actually have two chihuahuas and really love them. Mine are very affectionate, loving, & loyal. Chihuahuas are very good watch dogs and I am always joking with people that they are a cheap security system. Also they are small and do not take up a lot of room or make a big mess.
2006-12-10 09:26:46 · update #1
Well, he's probably teething, so make sure he's got plenty of things around that he's allowed to chew on. Then make sure to keep things away from him that you don't want chewed up (like shoes) and keep an eye on him. Give him a firm "NO" if he's chewing on the furniture and move him away from it. It won't take long for him to learn; dogs are pack animals, so it is their instinct to defer to your--the alpha dog--authority.
2006-12-10 09:01:33 · answer #1 · answered by N 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes dogs have separation anxiety which makes this behavior worse. Teething is natural, but the dog must learn what is acceptable to chew. Crate your dog while you are not around, it will lessen the anxiety and he will slack off. Also, if he bites or mouths anyones hands, yelp like it hurts, thats what litter mates do or other puppies while playing, this is how they learn not to bite, you are showing that it hurts even if it doesn't. Chewing up rugs and furniture is not normal behavior, it is anxiety. If he chews something you don't want him to, say no loudly, take it away and then ignore him. When he chews something he is supposed to or does something right praise him alot. He will soon learn bad behavior will not get him the attention he wants. Never, ever use the crate for punishment. It will defeat the purpose of making the dog feel secure. Dogs have natural instincts still and in the wild when momma dog leaves she leaves them in a dark den for safety. Get a crate, cover with a blanket when you are gone from the house. His behavoir will improve.good Luck!!
2006-12-10 17:07:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Puppies teeth and chewing everything is normal. Biting though is not, so consult with a professional dog trainer. By the way, why a Chihuahua? Aren't they like the most useless dog of all dogs? They don't swim, they don't retrieve, and they yap all day?
2006-12-10 17:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by commonsense 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They'll eventually grow out of it but don't use physical abuse to stop him!! Just sort of yell at him and he'll know that what he did was bad. Also, if he ever uses the puppy toys than give him a treat and he'll know that if he uses the toys he'll get a treat.
So basically he'll learn; chew on rugs=yelled at
chew on toys= treats!
You can also use this kind of spray called apple bitter i think. You spray on everything you don't want him chewing and after a while he stops chewing on them. Then you won't have to spray it anymore cuz he'll have learned his lesson
2006-12-10 17:06:57 · answer #4 · answered by ellizi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He might be bored. Make sure you play with him plenty and give him plenty of time to romp and run around outside. Our dogs did the same thing initally but it didn't last very long. You can use that bittering spray (we've had decent success with it) or you can try scolding them *IF* you catch them in the act. Other than that, you may want to keep toys off the ground for now.
2006-12-10 17:00:18 · answer #5 · answered by Rez 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you catch him chewing on rugs, furniture, etc. - tell him NO and give him a chew toy. Pick up the kids toys so he can't get them.
2006-12-10 17:02:41 · answer #6 · answered by blondie172 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's this spray stuff sold at pet stores called "apple bitter" that you spray on the things you don't want him chewing and dogs don't like it. So that'll probably make him stop.
2006-12-10 17:06:55 · answer #7 · answered by <3 <3 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
go to a pet store-look for something called sour apple. You spray it on whatever he has been chewing. It is extrememly sour-which they hate. It should take care of the problem. We had a lab that did that.
2006-12-10 17:00:19 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whenever you see him chewing or biting anything sternly tell him NO and hit him on the nose. Reinforce this everytime...do not be lenient at all. Also, after you tell him no, show him a toy. If you consistently do this then he will learn that he can chew on his toys and nothing else. Hope I helped! :)
2006-12-10 17:02:14 · answer #9 · answered by em<3 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
PUPPY NIPPING
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/pup-nip.pdf
Other instructional tips:
http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm
2006-12-10 17:13:47 · answer #10 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋