After a day’s work, you look forward to going home and when you open the door to your home, you looked around in horror. Your dog just messed up big time!
It seems that your furniture has just been chewed on to bits!
Dog owners is this a familiar scenario?
Most if not all dog owners have experienced their dog gnawing on anything their teeth get into. It seems to be an accepted dog behavior.
But you can actually control this behavior and even go so far as stopping it.
Before that, you have to understand why dogs are prone to chewing much about everything.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs are pack animals in their natural environment. They feel safe when there are more than one of them left. This means when you leave your only dog at home, it makes them anxious of looking out for the territory by himself.
Chewing allows them to relieve the stress. Though some chew the door to try to escape the social isolation.
Lonely Dog
Chewing can also mean that your dog is simply bored. Your dog is not exercised as often as he or she likes or has nothing to do while waiting for your return.
Your Dog Can Be Hungry
This usually happens when your dog is on a diet. Your dog attempts to find additional nutrition sources. And you will know this if the objects chewed on are food related or smells like food.
So what can be your actions to control and eventually stop the chewing?
Rule Out Medical Concerns
To make sure that your pet does not have any medical problems, see your vet to confirm that your dog’s chewing is just normal behavior. Poor diet with or without intestinal parasitism can lead to dog chewing. These gastrointestinal problems can cause nausea and chewing is your pet’s coping mechanism.
Dog Proof Your House
Puppies are curious and one way to make sense of anything is through chewing. And as they are teething, chewing relieves some of its discomforts.
So remove objects that can be of interest to a young dog such as shoes, socks, toys, books and etc. Do not let them have access in rooms that are not dog proofed.
Electrical cords should be hidden to avoid electrocution.
Allow Appropriate Chewing
As chewing is a normal behavior for dogs, provide toys that they can chew on.
You can give dental chewsticks to keep your dog’s teeth healthy at the same time while they chew on it. You can also give other non-edible toys like balls, kongs, etc.
Train Your Dog Not To Chew On Your Stuff
One way to ensure that your stuff are off the dog’s chewing things is to train them.
When your dog chews on your things, take it away from him and scold him. Then give him his chewing toy and encourage him to chew on that and not on your stuff. Praise your dog when he chews on his toys and not yours.
Repeat this until your dog finally realizes that your things are off limits and he has his own chewing toys to play with.
Spend Playtime and Exercise With Your Pet
An important step to reduce chewing is giving your pet a daily exercise. When your pet is exercised, he is able to spend his energy on playing and having fun with you than just doing nothing.
If your dog is tired after all the exercising and playing then he has a lesser tendency to chew.
Give the best care for your pet at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Sources: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/destructive-chewing
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-problems/dog-chews-left-alone/