Man’s best friend can sometimes be a pain in the neck, or your shoes, or any other thing they can playfully sink their teeth in.
This could be a real inconvenience, considering that those items that they innocently chewed up cost money. Then again they could chew something that could be hazardous to their health, and you wouldn’t want that.
Truthfully, they are just following their “doggy” instincts by chewing. Luckily, with the right amount of training, they will stop.
But how?
Not to worry, in this article, we will give you some useful information regarding why dogs chew, and how you can get them to stop.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Understanding why your dog chews up the items in your home is the first step in getting him to stop.
Below are a few reasons.
Curiosity
Some dogs can chew out of curiosity. When they come across a new and strange object, they sniff it, tap on it with their paws, and chew on it.
This behavior is more common with puppies than mature dogs. Do you know how babies usually put items in their mouths? Well, that’s basically the same way a puppy will chew anything that interests him.
Teething
It usually takes a puppy about six months to develop new, strong teeth. During the teething process, they will experience some discomfort, especially around their gum area.
Chewing not only helps them develop stronger teeth, but it also helps them relieve the discomfort in their gums.
You Didn’t Teach Them
When you get a new puppy, it is your duty to train it to behave well around the house. Ask yourself, did you train your puppy on what to chew and what not to chew during his growing up?
If you failed to do this, then that could be the reason it still chews, even at a more mature age.
Separation Anxiety
There are dog breeds that can really get attached to their owners and other members of the family.
If they are left alone for too long, they may experience separation anxiety. To help relax, they could resort to chewing small items in your home. These could be shoes, handbags, pillows, etc.
They Need Attention
As we just mentioned, some dogs can really become attached to their owners, this means they would need as much attention as required.
If they are not getting enough, they may start chewing, knowing that this will draw your attention to them.
Boredom
Both puppies and adult dogs can chew on stuff out of boredom. If you leave him alone for too long, they could entertain themselves by looking for stuff to chew on.
Digging the yard and chasing smaller animals are also among other things your dog could do when he’s bored.
How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Everything
Now that you have an idea of why your dog chews everything, you can begin to make plans on how you’ll get him to stop.
Below are some tips we recommend.
Seek Expert Help
A dog behavior expert can be hired to train your dog to stop chewing. They have a wealth of experience dealing with other dogs who have similar problems.
This will cost you some money though, so you may want to do this as a last resort.
Control What He Chews
If your dog chews on your shoes, then you really have yourself to blame. Keep all valuable items far from the reach of your dog and provide him with chew toys to play with.
Over time, he will get used to chewing the toys, and not your personal belongings.
Use Voice Commands to Teach
In a case where you accidentally leave an item within his reach and you catch him chewing it, use voice commands like “No” or “Stop”, then take it out of his mouth and give him his chew toy.
A few experiences will make him understand that he can chew on this, but not on that.
Conclusion
Remember to spend time with your dog. Take him on runs as a form of exercise.
Keep in mind that dogs are in their best behavior when they are tired.