How to Stop a dog From Chewing Everything
- Anja Boecker
- Updated: 24 January, 2023
As soon as you leave the house, nothing is safe from your dog's teeth. Your loved one will nibble on anything: chair legs, slippers, your favorite couch, even your own paw. Here you'll learn how to stop a dog from chewing everything.
Dogs need to chew. Nibbling and chewing is part of their normal behavior. Still, nibbling on objects is not only annoying, but it could also be dangerous for your dog. This is especially true if he picks at garbage or swallows things that can cause injury.
Causal Research: What's Behind the Chewing?
There are many possible reasons for nibbling. Is your four-legged friend still a puppy or do you already have an adult dog? Your dog’s age plays a big role in uncovering the causes of chewing.
New Teeth
If puppies are nibbling, they may be teething. Teething usually occurs between four and seven months.
New teeth may cause your puppy’s gums to itch or become pain.In this case, nibbling is just his way of finding relief.
Chewing has a massaging effect on the gums and helps get rid of loose milk teeth.
Excess Energy
Is your little pup in the middle of puberty? It could be that he’s bubbling over with excess energy that’s not being properly utilized in everyday life.
Loneliness and Separation Anxiety
Loneliness and separation anxiety are common among our four-legged friends. Maybe your furry friend just doesn't want to stay home alone.
Dogs are pack animals. They need social interaction. Maybe your pet is scared or distressed without you around. Separation stress is a common reason dog’s chew and nibble on home furnishings.
Boredom
Boredom could also be a cause behind the nibbling. Your four-legged friend could be looking for a stimulating opportunityIf you aren’t home to play with him, he will pass the time until your return by necessity.
Organic Causes
To be on the safe side, you should also rule out organic causes. Have you noticed any changes in your dog's behavior? If so, talk to your veterinarian for further assistance.
In summary, the causes of nibbling may include the following:
- Teething (for puppies)
- Loneliness or separation anxiety
- Boredom
- Organic diseases (such as a brain tumor)
Prevent Nibbling
Once you've uncovered the cause of your pup’s nibbling, it's easier to break their nibbling habits.
Chew Toy for Teething Puppies
If your puppy is teething, he's probably trying to get rid of loose teeth. Give him natural rubber chew toys or a chew bone..
These toys help with itchy gums and even relieve the pain a little. By chewing,your puppy can also distract himself.
Walks, Dog Sports, and Training School
Is your dog a bundle of energy? There are a few options for dealing with excessive energy in your dog. Maybe you can take him for a walk or jog before work.. Or you could spend your lunch break with him. Runningalong side a bike is another option that really helps dogs expend excess energy.
Try to get as much exercise as possible into your dog's daily routine. This movement should be adapted to your dog’s age and state of health. For example, if he is older, a walk is probably enough to keep him physically active.
If you do not have time to go for a walk,can't do sports, or take your dog to school, consider asking another family member to do it. Or hire a dog sitter.
Mentally, dogs want to be challenged and encouraged. Agility trainingis a great option where the aim is for the dog to master a course with certain obstacles according to fixed rules. You can also teach your pup with the help of clicker training .
At the end of the day, there's one common theme behind all these ideas: your dog needs a varied, exciting daily routine. He doesn't just want to lie in the corner, sleep, and wait for your return. Your pelt-nose wants to move, discover the world, and explore it with all his senses.
Provide opportunities for your sweetheart to learn and grow and he will leave your home furnishings alone.
Training Your Dog to Stay Alone
To help your furry friend get used to staying home without you from time to time, there's an easy training option: purposefully leave your puppy or dog alone. Start with a short period of five minutes. Once your dog masters five minutes alone, you increase the time of your absence.
Your dog should understand that you always come back to him. Regular training helps him to get used to your comings and goings. If you’re curious about what your four-legged friend is doing in your absence, whether he is relaxed or restless, you can install a baby monitor or even just a regular security camera .
Don’t Make a Fuss When Coming and Going
When you leave, don’t make a big deal of saying goodbye to your dog. Likewise, when you return, don’t greet him. Just pretend it's not a big deal.
Eventually, your dog will more easily accept it when you leave the house. For him, your departures and returns become normal.
Offer Exciting Opportunities for Activity
There is an abundance of intelligence toys and Kong's in the trade, which can be loaded with treats. Or how about a sniffing carpet?
Different chew toy also offer fun opportunities for play and activity
Don’t forget a cozy sleeping basket as a place of retreat after your dog is done chewing and nibbling for the day.
Turn on the TV
The sounds of the TV will mask any street noise that might distress your dog. Many dogs relax to the familiar sound of the TV or something playing on YouTube. Why not try a special dog video?
First Aid and Home Remedies for Destructiveness
You can resort to simple home remedies to make nibbling sites unattractiveThese techniques are meant to be a stop-gap until dog training takes hold and your dog can better handle being alone.
The most effective way to do this is to make the unwanted areas uninteresting while offering your pet alternatives to chew and nibble on.
Make Nibble Spots Unattractive or Remove Them
Attention: These home remedies do not solve the real problem. It is important that you keep your dog mentally and physically busy; otherwise, sooner or later your dog will look for another outlet.
- Does your dog bite table and chair legs? Rub the wood with vinegar . Does your dog bite table and chair legs? Rub the wood with
- Mustard works as well. Coat a typical nibble spot with it.
- Put awayitems that are in danger of being bitten. Put your shoes in the closet. Hide cables in cable ducts. Put laundry in the basket. This way you can at least prevent your pup from finding it and chewing it in the first place.
Important: Avoid Punishment
It may take time for your dog to stop nibbling on objects. But you must remember to remain patient with your four-legged friend.
For example, if your furry friend has bitten the back of the sofa in your absence, it will be too late for punishment when you return. You didn’t catch him in the act, so your dog won’t see the connection between his misbehavior and your annoyance. Your scolding will be unpredictable to him, which will disrupt your relationship.
Make sure your dog is properly exercised physically and mentally - and train to be alone with him.
We also advise against anonymous penalties.Some dog owners equip their four-legged friend with an impulse spray device. Then they watch them on the camera. If the dog starts to nibble, the device releases a water/gas mixture. The hissing sound in combination with cold and wetness gives the dog a fright and interrupts the behavior shown.
The problem: Your dog will often associate this punishment with being alone. At worst, this increases his fear. At best, the incomprehensible punishment will still lead to behavior problems and insecurity. Instead of solving the problem, punishment makes the situation worse.
Rather, work with your sweetheart to ensure he learns to get through periods of separation.
Conclusion
In most cases, these tips are sufficient for dealing with a nibbling puppy or dog. However, there are also extreme cases, such as strongly traumatized dogs from animal welfare with bad experiences.
In such cases, it is advisable to seek expert advice near you to help you plan individually designed training. This training is usually combined with behavioral therapyto gently release your dog's mental blockages and ensure the two of you establish a connection.
The sooner you start helping your dog overcome his chewing, the better 😉
My name is Anja Boecker and I am a dog trainer and behavior consultant (IHK certificate). With these articles I would like to help you understand your dog better and build an inseparable bond.
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