Help! My mini dachshund eats wood! How can I stop her?

Question

My dachshund loves to eat wood. So far she has chewed the trim around the door, the window frames, the chair leg, and practically eaten my head/foot boards on the bed. I have tried spraying some nasty smelling stuff I bought at the pet store on the furniture, but she happily chews right thru it. I just got married and my hubby is moving a VERY expensive wood bedroom suite in, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to move her out. Has anyone found anything that helps? She also chews holes in her blanket, my bras, or anything else she can snitch from me. When it first started, I thought it was a puppy stage, but she is now 2 1/2 yrs old. She gets bones to chew on and toys to play with, so I am at a loss. Help!

Answer 1

I have had success with a spray called "Best Behavior" by Nature's Miracle. You can get it at Petsmart or Petco for around $10 a bottle I think. This is just a temporary fix though - you will still have to train her not to chew inappropriate items.

First start by putting away anything that you don't want her to chew (like blankets, bras, shoes, etc). For items that can't be put away, I'd look into crate training or some other type of space management for your dog. It sounds like she's always had access to too many areas and developed this habit when she was very small. Now you have to break her habit, which will require a lot of vigilance and hard work on your part. Whenever you catch her chewing on something she shouldn't have, take it away and give her something she can chew on. When you can't supervise her, you need to confine her to an area where there isn't anything bad she can chew. Make sure you give her lots of appropriate chew toys in her area though. Once she proves herself (which may take several months), you can slowly start to expand her area into the rest of the house, one room at a time. If you and your hubby are consistent in substituting an appropriate chew toy when you catch her and confining her when you can't supervise, you should be able to retrain her and have a much happier relationship! Good Luck!

Answer 2

You can try Bitter Apple spray...however, you may want to consult with a trainer about this problem.

If she is over two years old, it appears that she needs to learn what is appropriate to chew on and what is not. You could try using a "shaker can" to make a loud noise whenever she begins to chew on something inappropriate. This may startle her, causing the behavior to decrease.

In addition, she should be crated or gated in a secure area if you are not able to supervise her.

You can also try to experiment with other types of toys she might like better, such as stuffed animals with squeakers. Every time she chews on something inappropriate you could redirect her by playing with a favorite toy.

Answer 3

My grandparents have two miniature dachshunds, and they chew on everything... But don't usually have a serious problem with it. Wait a few months, and if the dog keeps doing it, take her to see a professional if it's just because she's nosy and playful and bored, or if it's a serious problem. I'd watch out, because my mom's great dane ate a lot of his wooden doghouse, and he died from doing so. Until you can figure out anything, just please keep a close eye on your dog. Remember, if the problem persists, take your dog to see a professional! And on second note, make sure your dog doesn't chew on a lot of wood outside. Most of the wood outside could have chemicals on it or repellant or some kind of spray that would hurt your dog. We lost one of our pets to that earlier this year, because the wood was contaminated and we didn't know it.

Answer 4

How about this?
An Indoor Barrier System That Effectively Keeps Pets Away from Off-limit Areas!

Here's how it works:

The Spray Barrier® System has two components: a transmitter dish that protects a radius from 2 ft. to 10 ft. and a spray device. It allows you to designate areas in your home as off-limit and allows your dog to roam free outside the protected area. The transmitter dish should be plugged into a regular household power outlet and will generate a low-frequency signal that is picked up by the spray device as your dog approaches the dish. The spray device will first emit a warning sound to let your dog know that he has reached the boundary. Should he continue on toward the dish, the spray device will activate a harmless spray to deter him from that area.

Answer 5

I never knew they chewed for that long.You can try a old remedy that I used way back when.Take a newspaper and roll it up and when she starts chewing pop her on her nose and say NO!She will not like the noise or loud tone and she will stop,I hope.Do you crate her for bad behavior? That may be your way out.Good question, but she is old not to be over the chewing thing.......

Answer 6

Leave some branches laying around the house.
Your Dachshund will have a good old chew - yummmm

Good luck

Kind regards

Answer 7

You may have to crate your dog when she is not is clear view of you. Talk to your vet about excessive chewing, it could be a imbalance in nutrition. Take your pet for good long walks as this helps with boredom if that is the case. Good luck!

Answer 8

I hate dachshunds - no offense to you, - or your dog, but my first experience with a dog was with a dachshund. I was about 4 and I layed on the floor, eye level with the dog to say hi and the damn thing just about bit my nose off!

Since that I've hated them. I suggest, ever time you see it gnawing away - you smack it right in the snout, HARD, with a rolled up magazine - I mean HARD.

If it doesn't learn from that after a few swats then you've got yourself one dumb dog - and quite a problem.

Answer 9

Make it clear that forbidden items are forbidden and quickly give her a chew toy . Be consistent and you will retrain her. Kennel her at night. After 2 weeks she will be happy to comply.No dog died from whining and crying. Have a great year. Control your pooch or your pooch will control you. Lots of love.

Answer 10

Dogs only eat grass and wood when there is something missing from their diet. They eat grass and wood to help their digestive process work correctly. I suggest finding both an animal allergist and an animal nutritionist to examin your pet.