Chewing is a natural and essential behavior for dogs, serving multiple purposes throughout their lives. For puppies, it’s a primary way to explore their environment and alleviate the discomfort of teething. As dogs mature, chewing helps maintain strong jaws, keeps their teeth clean, and combats boredom and mild anxiety or frustration. However, when this natural instinct is directed towards inappropriate items, it becomes destructive behavior that dog owners need to manage effectively. This article explores the reasons behind destructive chewing and provides practical strategies for redirection and prevention.
Rule Out Underlying Problems Causing Destructive Chewing
Before addressing destructive chewing, it’s important to rule out specific behavioral or health issues that might be the root cause.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often exhibit destructive chewing primarily when left alone. This is typically accompanied by other signs such as whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, and inappropriate urination or defecation. If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, seeking professional guidance is recommended.
Fabric Sucking
Some dogs develop a habit of licking, sucking, and chewing on fabrics. Experts suggest this may stem from being weaned too early. If fabric sucking becomes a prolonged behavior that is difficult to interrupt, it could indicate a compulsive disorder. In such cases, consulting a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized experience in compulsive behaviors is advised.
Hunger
A dog on a calorie-restricted diet may chew destructively in an effort to find additional nutrition. This type of chewing often targets objects that smell or appear food-related.
Managing and Reducing Destructive Chewing
Understanding the motivations behind chewing allows for targeted management strategies.
Puppy Teething
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and teething intensifies this urge. The discomfort of losing baby teeth and the emergence of adult teeth can lead to increased chewing. This phase typically subsides by six months of age. Offering puppies frozen toys, ice cubes, or frozen wet washcloths can provide relief. While puppies need to chew, gentle guidance is crucial to teach them to restrict their chewing to appropriate items.
Normal Chewing Behavior
Chewing is a fundamental behavior for dogs of all ages, contributing to jaw strength and dental hygiene. Providing a variety of appealing and appropriate chew toys is essential. However, simply offering toys isn’t enough; dogs need to be taught, in a humane manner, what is acceptable to chew and what is not.
Useful Tips for Managing Chewing:
- “Dog-proof” your home: Secure valuable items, shoes, clothing, and books. Make it easy for your dog to succeed by removing temptations.
- Provide ample chew toys and bones: Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest. Only offer natural bones specifically designed for chewing, and be cautious of cooked bones that can splinter. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about appropriate chew options.
- Offer edible chews: Items like bully sticks, pig ears, or rawhide bones can be beneficial. Supervise your dog closely with edible chews to prevent choking hazards, especially if they tend to swallow large pieces.
- Utilize puzzle toys: During times when your dog is most likely to chew, offer a puzzle toy filled with treats or part of their daily food ration for mental stimulation.
- Use chewing deterrents: Commercially available sprays can discourage chewing on inappropriate items. Introduce the taste gradually and reapply daily for a few weeks. Remember, deterrents are a supplement to teaching appropriate chewing habits.
- Supervise closely: Whenever possible, supervise your dog to redirect chewing from inappropriate items to appropriate ones. Praise them enthusiastically when they engage with acceptable chews. If your dog displays aggression when an item is removed, seek professional behavior help.
- Confine when unsupervised: When you cannot supervise, use a crate or a small, dog-proofed room with appropriate toys and chews. Ensure your dog receives ample exercise and attention when not confined.
- Ensure sufficient exercise and mental stimulation: Lack of physical and mental activity can lead to boredom and destructive chewing. Daily walks, playtime, training sessions, and puzzle toys are vital.
- Avoid mixed messages: Do not offer household items like old shoes as acceptable chews, as this can confuse your dog about what is off-limits.
- Manage access to undesirable items: Secure dirty laundry and garbage to prevent dogs from chewing on items like underwear, sanitary napkins, or tampons, which can be dangerous if ingested. Many dogs outgrow these behaviors as they mature.
Lack of Exercise or Mental Stimulation
Insufficient physical and mental engagement can lead dogs to seek self-entertainment through chewing. Providing ample opportunities for exercise, such as walks, play sessions, and training, is crucial. Incorporating food puzzle toys can also offer significant mental stimulation.
Stress and Frustration
Stressful situations, such as confinement near an disliked animal or teasing by children, can trigger chewing. Avoiding or mitigating these triggers is important. Dogs may also chew out of frustration if they are prevented from engaging in exciting activities, like chasing a squirrel or participating in a stimulating training class. Providing an appropriate toy for them to redirect their energy can help manage this frustration.
What NOT to Do
Certain methods are counterproductive and inhumane for addressing destructive chewing:
- Do not punish after the fact: Dogs cannot connect punishment with an action that occurred minutes or hours earlier.
- Avoid inhumane methods: Never use duct tape to close a dog’s mouth or tie a damaged object to them. These practices are cruel and ineffective.
- Limit crate time: Do not leave a dog crated for extended periods (over six hours) solely to prevent chewing.
- Do not muzzle for chewing: Muzzling is not a solution for destructive chewing.
