my dog wont stop chewing, she is not a puppy, she is 2 yrs old. she chews the furniture,bedding, metal,help!?

Question

omg, she eats everything. she has food allergies to boot. she will vomit all day long from eating rocks, socks, toys. etc.. I am so tired. she even ate a fire place duraflame log. she was so sick from it. I dont know why she is like this and I dont know how to stop her! help please!

Answer 1

Try the bitter apple spray. Also obviously cannot be trusted so don't leave her alone...Put her in a crate whenever you can not be watching her...

Answer 2

He's definitely teething. When you catch him chewing on the furniture say AH-AH loudly. (Use whatever you want but I use this instead of "no" because it's easier to say in a hurry and my brain seems to get "ah-ah" to my mouth much faster than "no".) When he looks at you, immediately give him something he can chew on, preferably something with the same feel as whatever he's not supposed to be chewing on. When he starts chewing on the toy, tell him how fantastic he is. He's decided to chew on the furniture because that's what feels good to him and all those other toys just don't have the right feel. Some examples: If he's chewing wood, soak a rawhide bone in water (or chicken broth if you want to give it flavor and make it more attractive) for a few hours. This will soften it and give it more of the consistency he likes. If he's chewing cushions, give him stuffed animals that are of similar feel to what he's chewing. If he likes plastic, give him empty pop bottles tied in a cloth bag (so the plastic doesn't break in his mouth and cut him and so he can't swallow it). He will eventually calm down with the chewing even if it doesn't completely stop. The trick is to train him to chew only on the stuff you want him to chew on before he gets even bigger and causes more damage.

Answer 3

I would first do your best to dog proof your house. Now obviously you can't get ride of everything that your dog might chew. I would spray the rest with Bitter apple quite reularly, as it is alcohol based and does evaporate. Also, excercise your dogs butt off! She needs to be very tired, because she is most likely bored. I personally don't crate my dogs, but your dog should be in a crate for her own safety, it is safer for her to be a crate that potentially eating something that would make her sick or kill her. I would also make sure that she has an abundunce of good chew toys, my dogs love bully sticks and these things that are like braided rawhide and treat (but a chewy/hard treat) Also, try real bones that you can buy at the pet store. My dogs don't like kongs, but my friend has 3 pits who are heavy chewers and they LOVE a good stuffed kong! I wouldn't go with plush or squaky toys though because she will probably rip them apart the try to eat the insides, which wouldn't be good. It may be expensive at 1st with buying the crate and chew toys (which aren't cheap), but it will be much less expensive than your dog having to have some emergency vet care for eating something that she shouldn't have.

For some excercise ideas, try puppy play dates, another dog will tucker your dog out WAY faster than you will! An hour in our puppy training class has my dog sleeping in the car (which he normally isn't a fan of, but tolerates) on the way home. Also, try doggy daycare if you can afford it (it can be pricy $13-$20/day, thats around where I live)

Answer 4

You don't say what kind of dog you have. Some working breeds need to feel they have a "job" and these dogs get bored easily. This is not the kind of dog you can just let out in the backyard for extended periods of time. They find things to do, and get into mischief.

Try bitter apple spray, but you should consider crating your dog when she is not under your direct supervision, for her protection as well as for the survival of your home.
She needs tons more exercise and stimulation. You should be walking her at least 3 times a day, even if she can run free in your yard.

I recommend The Dog Whisperer Books. Cesar has wonderful tips on solving problems just like this.

Answer 5

Has she always been this way or did it only start recently?

If she's always been this way, as in she's been eating everything since she was just a puppy...it's likely that she was just never taught to stick to her own toys. If that is the issue read this page:

http://www.dogforums.com/19-first-time-dog-owner/2783-why-your-puppy-needs.html

Your dog is no longer a puppy, but the same concepts will apply. It also sounds like she could be bored. Get her some "interactive" toys like a Kong or a Buster Cube. Take her out to places like the dog park or even just down to the store.

If she's only recently started acting up, it sounds a bit like allergies. Dogs will chew things to ease itching in their gums. You need to take her to the vet to find out what's up and get her some medication to get rid of the itch. Otherwise, the more she itches, the more she chews.

Answer 6

Here are a couple of tips. Crate train the dog and she goes in there when ever you can't watch her. Read this:

http://www.expert-dog-training.net/crate-training.html

Another thing you should DEFINITELY do is give her MORE exercise. Clients always tell me that they exercise their dog, but I have to tell them the hard truth....EXERCISE MORE. Tired dogs don't chew, jump, nip, bite, etc., etc.

Get help from a GOOD trainer to learn corrections so that you can simply correct the improper behaviors.

And give her something new to play with. Lots of times clients in your exact situation have LOTS of dog toys around...but the problem with that is that the dog gets bored with the same old toys...so ROTATE her toys. Put them ALL out of sight and out of mind...like in the cabinet. And just give her a couple of toys in the morning. The next morning take those two toys up and give her two different toys from the cabinet.

Good luck

Answer 7

Pica in dogs is not uncommon. Your dog may just be bored. never leave her alone. When you have to put her in a dog crate so that she can't chew on stuff. Put rawhide in with her.

You need to spend more time with your dog and give her activities.

Use bitter apple to put on things that you know she will try to chew on. It's really dangerous for her to eat socks keep everything out of reach.

Answer 8

Get your dog to a Vet who can treat your dog and find out what is causing this problem. It can be normal for some breeds to eat all kinds of non-food items, but by your description, it sure sounds excessive. Do a web search on "Dog Pica"

Answer 9

try getting a kong and putting peanut butter down in it and a nice meaty bone and some chew toys when she chews on things u don't want her to tell her no in a stern firm voice and move what everyway and give her one of the things she can chew on
If she still does then get a can of pennies and shake it and say no and give her something that she can chew on

Answer 10

my dog went through "terrible twos", he chewed on walls, tables, tore up the floor in the bathroom, etc. buy her toys to chew on and play with her. she will grow out of it.