| note: this is part 2/2 of our article series on how to stop a dog from chewing, part one can be found here: How to Stop a Dog from Chewing – Part One |
Like all other forms of training, the first thing that you should do when you are correcting chewing problems is to determine why your dog is chewing.
For Medical Reasons
First, rule out any medical reasons for the chewing by talking to your vet about the problem. If your pet is a puppy, then check to see if he is teething and ask your vet for some suggestions on how to alleviate the pain.
With older dogs, you can usually tell if there is a dental problem simply by checking the mouth yourself. If the gums are red instead or pink, he has bad breath or you see yellow or brown on your dog’s teeth their may be a problem such as tartar. Take your dog to the vet to solve this problem as soon as possible.
Click Here for the Ultimate Way to Stop a Dog from Chewing
Boredom and Loneliness
If your dog is only chewing when he is bored or lonely, it is time to start looking at crating your dog when you are away. This won’t solve his loneliness but it will keep him away from things that he can chew.
When you do crate him, provide him with plenty of things to chew, such as teething rings for dogs, frozen dog treats and Kongs. If he is entertained and has something wonderful to chew, he is less likely to chew up his bedding or try to reach things through his crate.
To battle loneliness while he is in the crate, I recommend that you read our article on Crate Training your Dog.
Breaking the Chewing Habit
Now that I have looked at some ways to curb chewing, let’s look at ways to stop a dog from chewing and to let your dog know that chewing certain things are not okay.
First, you need to limit the freedom that your dog has. Keep him on leash and make sure that he is with you at all times when you are home. Don’t let him go off on his own or he may find something to chew when you are not looking.
When you see him chewing something that he shouldn’t be, loudly clap your hands or shake a can of coins and say, “No”. This is to break the action. When he stops, redirect him from the area he is chewing and then give him a chewing alternative. Once he begins chewing the proper item, praise him for being a good dog.
He will quickly learn that when he chews something like the table leg or a shoe, he is given a negative response and when he chews something like his bone, he is given a positive response.
If this does not train him not to chew things, you can deter chewing by using products such as bitter apple. Apply it to the items that he is chewing on a regular basis and he will get an awful taste in his mouth, this can be a very effective way to stop a dog from chewing.
It is also recommended that you remove temptation for your dog. Keep rooms off limits if they contain things that he likes to chew and make sure chewable items are up and off the floor.
Lastly, remember that exercise and proper care can go a long way in order to stop a dog from chewing. If he doesn’t have too much energy and all of his needs are being met, he should be less likely to find outlets for both his energy and his boredom, which in turn, means fewer shoes being chewed.
Click Here for the Ultimate Way to Stop a Dog from Chewing
Like the article? Right now you can download a FREE copy of our new dog training course Click Here to Find Out More. Thanks for visiting!