Destructive Behaviors In Dogs. Chewing Is a Big One. How To Stop Your Dog From Chewing and Why Does He Chew?
Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008
by Annette Masse
For The Love Of DogZ
Chewing is a normal behavior for dogs. But it is unacceptable to let your dog chew the furniture, shoes, stuffed animals, and remote controls. I once new of a dog that actually chewed a hole in a house large enough for him to get out of it. That same dog also ate a computer mouse and several remote controls.
First of all we must understand why dogs chew.
Lets cover all of these destructive behaviors in more depth.
- Teething
- Mouthing
- Boredom
- Fear
- Play
- Attention Seeking
- Just tastes Good
- Habitual Chewing
Mouthing - It is normal for pups even 8 weeks old to have little sharp teeth. When they get excited and playful they tend to bite. This mouthy behavior should be discouraged. This is how puppies communicate with each other. Some owners like to rough up there pups and have them return with a small bite. This type of behavior should not be enforced it should be discouraged.
Boredom - If you leave your dog alone for long periods of time, he may become bored and will look for something to do. Chewing will pass the time. The best thing to do is to get your dog more exercise. One thing to remember is that walking some dogs relaxes them and makes them tired, but walking other dogs can make them energized, and pumped up. What works best is to walk your dog and then you both take some down time to relax together. This will bring a bond between you and reinforce your relationship. Again the frozen bagels or frozen cooked pizza dough is a good chew toy for him as well.
Fear - Sometimes dogs may chew out of fear. Many dogs are afraid of Thunderstorms for example. Or if another dog walks past the window, your dog may start barking and chewing the window frames etc. These are acts of defensive behaviors. One of the best ways to stop this type of behavior is to teach your dog a "down and stay" command which we have covered in earlier dog reports. Teaching this command while in a positive situation will help with the dog is using a defensive behavior. Get the dog away from the window, and give the "down stay" command. Sit with your dog and gently relax with them. This will usually give them time to calm down.
Play - If your dog bites and chews during play time, it usually means he needs more training. Some dogs simply have more energy than others. These dogs usually require a strong exercise program in addition to the training. Play time should be structured, such as practicing jumping, or playing fetch. During exercise and play, practice multiple "down stays" both inside and outside.
Attention Seekers – Occasionally, dogs are simply looking for their owners to pay more attention to them. Some of these plays for attention include stealing, chewing, barking, limping and spinning. Most dog owners regard chewing as a negative behavior, but for a dog seeking attention, negative attention is better than none at all. If you give it no attention, the negative behavior will usually disappear.
Just Tastes Good - If something tastes good a dog will want to chew it. Certain things are palatable to dogs. This means the dog enjoys the feel of it in their mouth. Shoes, stuffed animals and wooden or leather furniture are a few examples. While the puppy is in the chewing stage, it is best to dog proof your house and not leave these types of things around your dog.
Chewing is usually not a problem if the dog is healthy, has room to roam, gets plenty of exercise and has a space of his own. Again, frozen bagels will help to cure the chewing.
To find more info like this and more about your dog. Take my complementary course "Love your DogZ" at http://ForTheLoveOfDogZ.com Your dog will be happy you did.
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