Dogs explore their world and relieve stress through chewing, a natural and essential behavior for their physical and mental well-being. While chewing serves many purposes, from teething relief in puppies to maintaining oral hygiene in adults, destructive chewing can become a significant challenge for pet owners. Understanding the root causes of this behavior is the first step toward managing it effectively. This guide delves into the various reasons behind dog chewing behavior and provides practical strategies to redirect it towards appropriate outlets.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Chewing is an innate activity for dogs, fulfilling several crucial needs throughout their lives.
- Puppy Exploration and Teething: For puppies, chewing is a primary way to explore their environment and to find relief from the discomfort of incoming teeth. This intensified chewing phase typically subsides by the time a puppy reaches around six months of age as their adult teeth settle in. Offering puppies safe, chewable items like frozen toys or damp, frozen washcloths can help soothe their sore gums.
- Oral Hygiene and Jaw Strength: Chewing is nature’s way of keeping a dog’s teeth clean and their jaw muscles strong. Domestic and wild dogs alike spend considerable time chewing on bones, which is vital for their dental health and overall physical condition.
- Boredom and Anxiety Relief: When left alone, bored, or feeling anxious or frustrated, dogs may turn to chewing as a coping mechanism. It can help pass the time, alleviate mild stress, and provide much-needed mental stimulation.
Ruling Out Underlying Behavioral Issues
Before implementing management strategies, it’s important to consider if more serious behavioral issues are at play, as these require specific interventions.
- Separation Anxiety: Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often exhibit destructive chewing primarily when left alone. They may also display other signs such as excessive vocalization, pacing, restlessness, and inappropriate urination or defecation. If you suspect separation anxiety, seeking resources like the article on Separation Anxiety is recommended.
- Fabric Sucking: Some dogs engage in licking, sucking, and chewing on fabrics. Experts suggest this might stem from early weaning. If this behavior becomes compulsive or difficult to distract from, consulting a professional for Finding Professional Behavior Help is advisable.
- Hunger: A dog on a restricted diet might chew on items that smell or appear to be food-related, attempting to find additional nutritional sources.
Strategies for Managing Destructive Chewing
Once you understand the reasons behind your dog’s chewing, you can implement strategies to manage and redirect their behavior.
Provide Appropriate Chew Toys and Bones
The cornerstone of managing chewing is providing your dog with a variety of appealing and safe chew toys.
- Variety is Key: Offer different textures and types of toys, such as hard rubber toys (like KONGs), puzzle toys that dispense treats, and durable ropes.
- Rotate Toys: To keep your dog engaged, rotate their chew toys every few days. This novelty can prevent boredom and discourage them from seeking out inappropriate items.
- Bone Safety: While natural bones sold for chewing can be beneficial, exercise caution. Cooked bones can splinter and cause serious internal injuries. Some strong chewers may also chip their teeth on natural bones. Always consult your veterinarian about safe chewing options for your dog.
“Dog-Proof” Your Home Environment
Make it easier for your dog to succeed by managing their environment to prevent chewing on undesirable items.
- Secure Valuables: Put away shoes, clothing, books, and anything else you don’t want your dog to chew. Store them in closets, hampers, or on shelves out of reach.
Offer Edible Chews with Caution
Edible chews like bully sticks, pig ears, or rawhide can be great for satisfying a dog’s chewing drive, but they come with risks.
- Choking Hazard: Dogs can sometimes choke on edible chews if they bite off and swallow large pieces.
- Supervision Recommended: It’s best to supervise your dog when they are enjoying an edible chew, especially if they tend to gulp items. Ensure they have a relaxed environment where they don’t feel the need to compete for the chew.
Utilize Chewing Deterrents
Chewing deterrent sprays can be applied to household items you want your dog to avoid.
- Application: Spray deterrents on furniture legs, electrical cords, or other tempting items.
- Reinforcement: While deterrents can help, they are most effective when combined with teaching your dog what they can chew. Dogs need to learn both the “don’ts” and the “do’s.”
The Importance of Supervision and Redirection
Active supervision is crucial, especially during the initial stages of training.
- Redirect Chewing: If you catch your dog chewing on something inappropriate, calmly interrupt them with a gentle sound like “Uh-oh,” remove the item, and immediately offer them an appropriate chew toy. Praise them enthusiastically when they engage with their toy.
- Aggression Concerns: If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior when you try to remove an item from their mouth, seek professional guidance from a qualified trainer or behaviorist.
Proper Confinement and Exercise
When you cannot supervise your dog directly, a safe confinement area is essential.
- Safe Space: Use a crate or a confined room, ensuring all inappropriate items are removed. Provide a variety of chew toys and safe chews within this area.
- Adequate Exercise: Ensure your dog receives plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation daily. A well-exercised dog is less likely to engage in destructive chewing out of boredom or pent-up energy. Consider a good play session before you leave your dog alone.
Addressing Chewing from Stress and Frustration
Chewing can also be a response to stress or frustration.
- Stressors: Identify and minimize stressors in your dog’s environment, such as being crated near a disliked animal or being teased.
- Frustration Management: If your dog becomes frustrated (e.g., wanting to chase something they can’t reach), provide them with an appropriate toy to redirect that energy. For dogs in shelters, providing chew toys in their kennels can help manage frustration.
What NOT to Do
Certain methods are counterproductive and harmful when addressing chewing behavior.
- Punishment After the Fact: Dogs cannot connect punishment with an action that occurred minutes or hours ago. Spanking or scolding your dog after finding damage will not deter the behavior and can create fear.
- Inhumane Methods: Avoid using methods like duct tape on a dog’s mouth or tying a chewed object to them, as these are inhumane and ineffective.
- Over-reliance on Crating: While crates can be useful, leaving a dog crated for excessively long periods (over six hours) can lead to their own set of behavioral problems, including anxiety.
- Muzzling for Chewing: Muzzling is not a solution for chewing behavior and can be inhumane if used long-term.
Conclusion
Understanding dog chewing behavior is fundamental to a harmonious life with your pet. By providing ample opportunities for appropriate chewing, managing their environment, ensuring sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, and redirecting their natural instincts, you can effectively manage destructive chewing. Remember that patience and consistency are vital. If chewing persists as a significant issue or if you suspect underlying anxiety, consulting a certified professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist is the best course of action to ensure your dog’s well-being and your peace of mind.
