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You
like your new shoes, and so does your dog. But he
doesn't want to wear them, he wants to chew them!
Not only can your companion canine's destructive
behavior be an expensive problem, it can mean that
he is bored, anxious or teething.
Chewing is Normal Behavior for Your Dog
All
dogs like to chew. This is normal behavior. The
act of chewing exercises their jaws and helps keep
teeth and gums clean. It also helps ease the pain
of teething for puppies. By encouraging him to chew
on his own toys, however, you can help stop your
dog from chomping on your furniture and other inappropriate
items.
It's
your job to make sure he has plenty of options.
Rawhide chews, sterilized bones and sturdy, hard-rubber
or plastic toys are suitable. Never give your dog
old shoes or other personal items of yours to chew
on - he can't tell the difference between old and
new, and may assume that anything with your scent
on it is fair game. And be sure to praise him when
he chews on his own toys instead of the leg of your
couch.
Tips to Prevent Destructive Chewing
If
your dog goes to town on your home furnishings when
you're away, always remember to leave him confined
with his favorite toys. You might even try inserting
some cheese spread or peanut butter in the clean
hollow of a toy. Getting to the treat inside will
both stimulate and occupy a dog that is left home
alone. Keep things interesting by alternating toys.
Give him some of his favorites and switch them with
the rest every few weeks. You should also make sure
he is fully exercised before you leave the house.
This can help eliminate the frustration and boredom
that lead to destructive behavior.
If
your dog is causing major household damage, you'll
need to do two things: Make sure he's getting enough
exercise, and always confine him to a training crate
or a dog-proof room when no one is around to monitor
his activities. As a general rule, Experts
recommend that you keep him crated no longer than
one hour for every month of his age. This is especially
recommended for canine adolescents who haven't yet
had sufficient time or training to know what they're
allowed to play with. And remember, firmly telling
him "No!" is only effective when you catch
him in the act of destructive chewing - not when
you arrive home hours after he's wreaked havoc,
or even five minutes after the fact.
Treating Separation Anxiety Could Be a Way of Breaking Dogs of Chewing Habits
If
your dog is chewing and thrashing out of separation
anxiety, simply confining him will not solve the
problem. You'll need to deal with his separation
anxiety or your pet may do serious harm to himself
while in a panic.
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