Chewing

While a puppy may chew more during the teething stage, chewing is a very normal behavior for dogs of all ages. They do it out of pleasure and they do it to pass the time. We need to allow our puppies and dogs to have an outlet for natural behaviors such as chewing. It is our responsibility to help them learn that they are only to chew on their specified chew toys.
Dogs have no way knowing the difference between a chew toy and a slipper. While we can easily discriminate between chew toys and things not to be chewed, our dogs cannot. Dogs do not understand that a pair of shoes represents a $100 chew toy, they just know the shoes are available and are a pretty good chew. Consider all the items in your home that your dog is NOT allowed to chew in contrast to the number of things he is allowed to chew. Is it any wonder our dogs guess wrong some of the time?

Given the way a puppy works, we need to start training him early on as to what items he can chew. We need to get him addicted to chew toys! The first step is to restrict your puppy’s access to anything but his chew toys, unless he is actively supervised. This keeps your belongings and your puppy safe. Sometimes dogs chew things that result in serious injury or illness. This means you need to keep your puppy in his crate or a puppy-proof room when he cannot be supervised.
The 3 key steps to chew training are:

1. Get your dog some suitable chew toys and get him to like them.

   • Nylabone® has some of the best chew toys for your dog. They come in various sizes, hardness, and flavors for the puppy and adult dog that is a voracious chewer. Many Nylabone® products also help keep your dogs teeth and gums clean and healthy. If your dog lacks enthusiasm toward his Nylabone®, try sanding the surface gently with some fine sandpaper. This will help release the flavor. Another alternative is to drill some holes in the bone that you fill with peanut butter.

   • The Kong®is also an excellent chew toy for most dogs. Made of a hard, natural rubber and available in different sizes, most dogs love the Kong®. Their unique shape makes them bounce in an unpredictable manner, and their hollow center allows them to be stuffed with goodies. A Kong® stuffed with various size pieces of dog biscuit, kibble, carrot, or raisins can keep your dog busy and out of trouble.

   • The Buster® Food Cube is a type of dog toy for stimulating your dog mentally. While not a traditional chew toy, it can keep them busy and out of trouble for some time. The Buster® Food Cube is a sturdy, plastic cube designed to hold dry kibble and release it at random from a single hole as your dog plays with it. The dog will need to figure out that he needs to roll the Buster Cube with his nose and paws in order for it to release the kibble. The release valve is adjustable for increasing levels of difficulty. All you need to do is offer the cube to your dog and let him figure out the rest.

2. Prevent your dog from learning it is acceptable to chew things other than his toys

Make sure your dog is confined in his crate or in a puppy proof room unless you can keep him under close supervision.
When he starts to chew something he is not supposed to, redirect him to one of his chew toys. Praise him when he chews his toy.

If your puppy chews things such as cords, try spraying them with a product such as Grannick’s Bitter® Apple. This product comes in various forms (sprays, creams) and formulas for use on plants, furniture and other objects your dog likes to chew. This product has a very bitter taste which 99% of dogs find objectionable. Once the dog chews on a treated item, it will stop chewing because it tastes so bad.

Once your dog is doing well, start to give him more access to your home while continuing to keep him under close supervision. Set him up to catch him in the act of chewing something he is not supposed to chew and trade him for a chew toy. Now that he has been trained to know what he can chew it will be easier to redirect his attention.