Chewing is a natural activity for dogs and an important part of their development. However, it can be frustrating when your pup begins to chew on everything they find—including furniture, shoes, and the occasional electrical cord. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to help stop your dog from chewing up all your stuff. Let’s take a look at how to tackle chewing in dogs.
Alternatives
- One of the best ways to keep your pup from chewing on things they shouldn’t is by providing them with toys and other items that are safe for them to chew on. Make sure the toys you provide are durable and appropriate for their size and age so that they can practice their natural urge without destroying anything important. Rotate these toys regularly to ensure that your pup doesn’t get bored with them, as this can lead them to seek out new things to chew on.
Deterrents
- When it comes to deterring chewing, there are a few different methods you can try. Bitter apple sprays work well as they have an unpleasant taste that will dissuade most pups from chewing on whatever has been sprayed with it. This is great for objects like shoes or furniture legs that may not be able to be replaced if destroyed by a determined chewer! You could also try using deterrent mats around items you want your pup away from; these mats contain smells or textures that your pup won’t like which will keep them away from areas or objects where you don’t want them going.
Training
- As mentioned before, chewing is an important part of a dog’s development so it should never be discouraged entirely; instead, training you dog what it can chew, should be used instead. Whenever possible, redirect your pup’s attention onto an appropriate object such as a toy rather than punishing them for trying to chew something else – this way they understand what it is okay for them to chew without feeling too discouraged about it! Additionally, positive reinforcement works very well when training pups – reward good behaviour with treats or praise whenever possible so they understand what types of behaviours are acceptable and desirable!
Conclusion:
- Chewing is an important part of every dog’s development so it should never be discouraged entirely; however, proper strategies need to be put into place in order keep your pup away from things they shouldn’t chew on. By providing alternatives such as durable toys and treating good behaviour with positive reinforcement, along with deterrents such as bitter apple sprays or deterrent mats , you can help manage this normal but sometimes problematic behaviour in dogs of any age or size! With the right approach and some patience, soon enough you won’t have any more worries about the furniture being chewed up by your dog!
If you would like to discuss this matter in greater detail or you would like a private individual training session tailored for your dog’s needs please do not hesitate to contact and request an appointment and prices.
