How Do I Stop My Dog From Chewing??

Question

My terrier-pitbull mix has recently picked up the hobby of chewing on any items throughout my home within her reaching distance. So far she hasnt chewed on furniture or anything of value, but I worry about her choking or eating something that could harm her. Any Suggestions?

Answer 1

Why your puppy needs a TOY BOX
If you have a new puppy, you know already that they like to chew. Not only do puppies LIKE to chew, they really NEED to chew. Chewing is more than entertainment for puppies. It helps them teeth, and it relaxes them. They are able to relieve themselves of frustration and anxiety by chewing.

Destructive chewing usually begins quite innocently for the puppy, but it can rapidly escalate into a serious problem if the puppy is not supervised and directed properly.

Here is a typical scenario:

Owner has new puppy. Owner leaves new puppy unsupervised. Puppy gets anxious, and looks for something to soothe itself with. It comes across a shoe. (or anything else that smells like the owner) Immediately the puppy is comforted by the scent of the owner. Then it will begin to chew the object that smells like the owner to relieve it's frustration and anxiety. As the puppy chews, he feels much better. The amount of reinforcement a puppy gets from this activity cannot be over emphasized. The liklihood of a puppy expressly seeking out your personal items goes up exponentially after even only ONE incident where he's allowed to relieve his anxiety in this manner. This is why careful confinement and supervision is SO IMPORTANT. You can never remove that reinforcement the puppy got while he was chewing the object that smells like you.

So what do we do? We confine and supervise the puppy very carefully, and we make sure she has a GREAT toybox with a variety of very interesting chew items. You can use a box or basket of any type as long as the puppy can easily get to it to take out chew items. Some things that can go in the box are kong toys, nyla bones, real bones.....use your imagination and keep it interesting and varied. For the first week or so, put a tiny smear of peanut butter or cheez whiz on each toy once a day.

So now you have your toy box set up, and your pup is out playing. Of course the pup will choose a toy from the box to start. But eventually the pup will decide to investigate something that's not his business. This is why you MUST watch a puppy EVERY SECOND he is loose in your house in the beginning. You don't want to miss an opportunity to TEACH. So, when the puppy focuses on something he should not have (this means LOOKING AT, SNIFFING, or PUTTING HIS MOUTH on any object you don't want him to chew) immediately interrupt him. I usually say AH AH, as I move towards the puppy. Once you have his attention, rush him happily and cheerfully to the toy box, and help him find a cool toy to play with and chew. Encourage him with a little tug game, or a few tosses.

Do this each time your puppy focuses on something he should not have. I also interrupt and redirect in this manner each time the puppy looks up at tabletops, countertops, stovetops, trash can, etc.

If you are consistent, and if you supervise CAREFULLY, in several weeks you will have a puppy who will consistently choose articles from the toy box to play with and chew.

Keep the box in one place, and never miss an opportunity to encourage the puppy towards the toy box when he wants something to play with.
__________________
REDYRE ROTTWEILERS
RAW FED since 1993

Answer 2

Keep your dog on leash at all times when you're home so you can closely monitor her chewing habits. Whenever she puts anything in her mouth. Remove it from her mouth and say "No Chewing". If she is chewing on furniture as soon as she goes to bite it give a stern jerk of the leash and and say "No Chewing". I have done this method with every puppy I've had and it has always worked and NONE of my possessions were ever chewed up and destroyed. The only way it will be effective is if you're persistant and keep on her case about it.

Answer 3

You need to keep a close eye on her, make sure you pick everything up that she could put in her mouth, and scold her when she is misbehaving. I know there is a spray you can put on them to stop them from licking themselves, but I'm not sure if it is safe to put on other things. Also, invest in a crate for when you are not home to watch her. And make sure she has her own toys she's allowed to chew on. No rawhide, she can chew a big piece off and it could get stuck in her throat. That goes for sqeeky toys too(unless being supervised)!

Answer 4

try hard natural bones you can get usually really cheap in your supermarket's meat section, like cow shins or soup bones

I boil mine first before I let my dog have it, but you can let them have it uncooked but fresh, I'm just squimish that way.

You can also freeze extras and use em as you need em.

stay away from rib bones since they can splinter easily and remember to make sure the bones are from the cow .

If he chews on things in the house you can get a product called BITTER APPLE. this tastes bad to the dog.
or a cheaper alternative would be cayenne pepper mixed with water and sprayed or applied to where he is chewing or where you might not want him to chew..

And always remember to praise and correct with a firm NO consistantly.

good luck hope this helps

Answer 5

She might be teething or something, but most likely she just has a lot of nervous energy. Make sure you are taking her outside to run and play at least twice a day. A tired dog is a content dog.

Answer 6

get some pepper spray and spray it on some of the things he chews on, just a little. Then he will not chew on it anymore. That's how I taught my son not to chew on my shoes. Hopes it works for you as well as it did for me. Good luck :)

Answer 7

go to the local pet store or wal-mart or maybe a vet and purchase bitter apple spray dogs hate the taste so anything you spray it on, the puppy will not chew

best wishes
good luck
-tasha

Answer 8

I forget the exact name, but there is a spray available at Wal-Mart for that. Just check out the pet aisle.

Answer 9

well, it's ok. nothing t worry about. a dog will chewing only in a little period of time. after the time. it will stop doing that.