My dog won't stop chewing!?

Question

Can anyone give me help/tips to stop my dog chewing things please? I think he's doing it for attention or as a sign of affection or wanting to play but nothing is off limit to him, including my best trainers and antique chair legs at my parents' place. He even has a go at newly planted trees in the garden. Any help and sensible suggestions would be most appreciated!

Answer 1

You need to crate your dog when you can't supervise him. Get some good dog chewies (bully sticks, rawhides, pig ears, stuffed Kongs and other interactive toys) and give him those when he's in his crate. It is normal for a dog to chew things, and it's your job as a responsible owner to prevent him from making bad/deadly choices, and to use a crate to contain him when you're not around.

Answer 2

I posted the exact same question on yahoo a while back. The answer: Cribox, it's a spray used for horses that stop them chewing their crib. It's got quite a nice lemony smell but dogs hate it and once they have a tase they won't return. You can search for it on the web you will soon find it. Costs about £7.00
On the other hand your dog sounds bored, do you not have anyone that can look after him whilst you are away? See, i would leave my dog up to 4 hours straight but no longer. Put your self in their shoes, they can't do the housework or make dinner to prevent getting bored! A dogs 'job' is to watch you, when you are there they watch you, when you are gone they have nothing to watch, therefore they get bored!
I suppose you know all the usual though, radio, tv left on but i tend to slip out when they aren't looking then they are more intreged to know where you have gone which takes their mind off the fact they are left on their own.
in the summer though i would leave him in the garden with a bone and rug, that way if he chews it's not as bad!
Hope there are some ideas to help you, i know it's such an awful problem! Mine cost me £70.00 for a new kitchen door frame just because i left her for 1/2 an hour! ridiculus.

Answer 3

our dog did the same thing i did a combination of things, i bought her some denta bones/gumma bones helps with teething puppies. Plus the only rawhides she would chew were the ones with the meat in them so i stocked up. Also I caged her when we were busy or gone. Walked her at least once a day even around the block made a difference. Try to take her for a car ride once a week, and put bitter apple on the things she was trying to chew. If they still chew on something I missed or couldn't spray I would show it to her and hold her mussle and tell her no sternly and then cage her for a little while to let her know it wasn't exceptable behavior. I also found closing the door to rooms she liked to find the most chew things in very helpful.

Answer 4

Well you say yourself that you think it's attention seeking.Chewing is normally a releive for boredom,how many times is he walked?Also provide good chew toys for him,every time you catch him chewing say no loudly and firmly then offer him the chew toy.Spend more time training him,playing etc as this develops your bond and keeps the dog mentally occupied.If he is chewing when beeing left alone then its seperation anxeity and as this behaviour can range in severity from dog to dog,you then need to contact a behaviourist who can come and see your dog and provide you with a training stradegy.Good luck.

Answer 5

Dogs do need LOTS of attention. I have 3! There is a spray that you can get at Walmart to prevent them from chewing on things that you don't want them to. Keep things like shoes in a closet so they aren't tempted. Also depending on their size, get them some chew sticks or bones, preferably at a good pet store, as they are more healthy. Good luck and give your doggie a big XXOO from me! :)

Answer 6

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/liHoN

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.

Answer 7

we got our staffie from a dog shelter. 1st night she cleared the coffe table and there was nothing left. in the morning, next day heavy chastisement, NO SMACKS NO YELLING, NO PUNISHMENT .next day put everything new back on coffee table and show ALL items to dog and say LEAVE NO. Within 30 mins she understood that the coffee table was DADDIES not HERS. WENT TO BED . next day coffee table untouched.. SO BIG FUSS WHAT A GOOD GIRL. that was 13 mnths ago and she hasnt done any damage at all. by the way shes sitting beside me as i type this AND I LOOOOOVE HER.

Answer 8

My sister had a mongrel puppy that chewed anything & i mean anything.!!! it chewed the handles of the kitchen cabinets, the kitchen door handle in half.!!! One day it burst one o them huge teddys & it looked like it had been snowing in her livingroom He even chewed a hole in her night shirt while she was asleep & dragged the black rubbish bag in the bed & burst it. *He was due his 1st injection & the vet said the only injection he would give him was to put him to sleep.!!! She refused, The police trained him in the end as a working dog.!!!

Answer 9

There is a spray called Bitter Apple....Spray on everything that he is wanting to chew on.... If you see him chewing on something hes not supposed to hold his mussle closed and say NO CHEWING or NO BITING (make sure its in a stern voice!) and give him something that he can chew on... a kong that has peanut butter in it is yummy... anything with peanut butter on it is YUMMY... so stock up on some chew toys and some peanut butter or any other doggy friendly tastes (check petsmart or petco) Good luck on your doggy!! =)

Answer 10

If he's an adult this is a sign of boredom.He needs more exercise and more mental stimulation.

Take him on longer walks and consider taking him to obedience or agility classes.