Appropriate Chewing

Dogs chew!

In fact, it is a very important part of being a dog. Chewing is a natural way that dogs explore their world, whether they are a puppy or a senior.

How do you get your dog to chew on appropriate items?

First, clear your dog's environment of things you do not want him to chew on. That means picking up shoes, toys, and other objects you do not want destroyed or that can harm your pet if chewed.

Always provide your dogs with tasty, safe chew toys. As you leave for work in the morning, leave him a toy stuffed with treats to help reinforce the idea of appropriate chewing.

When you catch your dog chewing something he should not, firmly tell him "No!". Quickly replace the inappropriate item with a tasty chew toy. Lavish praise as he starts chewing the toy. Reprimanding your dog for inappropriate chewing MUST always be immediate and ONLY when he is caught in the act - never after the chewing is already done.

So how can appropriate chew toys help your pet?

If the toy is designed for promoting dental hygiene, it can help support dental health by helping to scrape away plaque, tartar buildup, and help maintain healthy gums. The right ingredients can even help doggy breath.

A good chew toy can provide stimulating activity by challenging your dog's mind and keeping him entertained. This is especially important for older dogs that may typically be less active.

A safe, well-designed chew toy can help satisfy your dog's innate urge to chew and help avoid destructive chewing behavior from both puppies and adult dogs.

Why Dogs Love to Chew

Dogs love to chew. Have you ever wondered why dogs chew on things? Even better, why do they chew on EXPENSIVE things of yours?

Dogs chew on things for several reasons.

Here they are:

1. Learning. Puppies and young dogs learn about their environment by mouthing and gnawing on objects. Typically the targets are random, and may include shoes, books or bedposts. Investigational or "play-related" destructiveness of this kind is a normal behavior for a growing dog and the number one reason for destructive chewing behavior.

2. Boredom and stress. This is the next most common reasons dogs chew. Some adult dogs chew out of boredom or because they are upset when they are "abandoned" by their owners each morning. In the dog's frenzied efforts to escape the house or find his owner, a dog of this persuasion will dig and chew at doorways, windowsills and curtains. He may also search for shoes, pillows, purses and other personal items to chew on.

3. Nervousness. Other dogs may chew because they have a nervous personality or some phobia. If your dog suffers from thunder phobia, she can cause dramatic damage to your house on stormy days. In addition to thunder, your dog may develop fears of fireworks, wind, and a variety of other noises.

4. Fun! Last but certainly not least, dogs chew because it is "FUN".

If your dog is a destructive chewer, how do you deal with it?

The solutions will vary based on the dog and the reason for the dog's chewing. But one simple time-tested solution is to give the dog something of his own to chew on. There are many chew toy options at the pet store or online.

Why do Dogs Chew?

Is your dog a chewing bandit, chomping you out of house and home? When your shoes, furniture and clothing are all fair game for his teeth, it can be highly frustrating.

Dogs explore the world through their mouths - new objects, new places & new tastes.

Chewing also helps them relieve teething pains, tension and stress. There are also some instances where chewing could be a sign of mental or physical health issues including:

1. Boredom - chewing because there's nothing else to do
2. Poor nutrition - chewing on things to get lacking nutrients
3. Separation anxiety/feeling alone - chewing for comfort
4. Gum or tooth problems - continuously chewing on hard objects

In other instances chewing is quite normal. Dogs who chew significantly more than others are what many call Aggressive Chewers. What makes a dog an aggressive chewer? Here are some guidelines:

1. Destroys an appropriately-sized rawhide in less than an hour
2. Shreds the typical vinyl toy in minutes
3. Toys quickly turn into piles of frayed and tangled threads
4. You feel you'll never get your money's worth out of a toy before it's time to throw it away

Establishing good chewing habits is truly our responsibility as pet owners. Aggressive Chewers will continue to chew inappropriate things until you teach them right from wrong.

Be selective in what you give your dog to chew - start out by only giving your dog proper chew toys. Giving your dog an old shoe to chew teaches him that all shoes are made for chewing.

Dog owners of Aggressive Chewers need the toughest dog toys on the market. Tough toys allow them to exercise their natural chewing instincts and train them on what to chew and not to chew. With an Aggressive Chewer, chances are no dog toy will last forever, but they can still benefit from a tough toy that lasts longer than most.