Chewing is a natural and essential behavior for dogs, serving multiple purposes from puppyhood through adulthood. For young dogs, it’s a way to alleviate discomfort from teething, while for adult dogs, it helps maintain strong jaws and clean teeth. Chewing also acts as a vital outlet for boredom, anxiety, and frustration. However, when this natural behavior is directed towards inappropriate items, it can become a destructive problem for pet owners. This article explores the common causes of destructive chewing and provides effective strategies for managing and redirecting this behavior.
Rule Out Underlying Issues
Before addressing chewing behavior, it’s crucial to rule out any underlying medical or psychological conditions that might be contributing to it.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often exhibit destructive chewing primarily when left alone. This behavior is typically accompanied by other signs of distress such as whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, and inappropriate urination or defecation. Understanding and treating separation anxiety in dogs requires a dedicated approach, often involving gradual desensitization and positive reinforcement techniques.
Fabric Sucking
Some dogs develop a compulsive habit of licking, sucking, and chewing on fabrics. This behavior is sometimes linked to being weaned too early. If the behavior is prolonged and difficult to interrupt, it may have become compulsive. Seeking professional guidance from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized experience is recommended for compulsive behaviors.
Hunger
A dog on a calorie-restricted diet may resort to chewing on objects in an effort to find additional nutrients. This type of chewing is often directed towards items that smell or taste like food.
Managing and Reducing Destructive Chewing
Once underlying issues are ruled out, various strategies can help manage and reduce destructive chewing.
Puppy Teething
Puppies explore their world through chewing, and the discomfort of teething intensifies this urge. Providing puppies with appropriate chew toys, such as those that can be frozen or chilled, can offer relief. Gentle guidance is key to teaching puppies to restrict their chewing to designated items.
Normal Chewing Behavior
Chewing is a fundamental behavior for dogs, aiding in jaw strength and dental hygiene. To satisfy this need, dogs should be provided with a variety of appealing and appropriate chew toys. However, simply offering toys is insufficient; dogs need to be taught what is acceptable to chew.
Useful Tips for Managing Chewing
- “Dog-proof” your home: Secure valuable items, shoes, clothing, and books to prevent access. This makes it easier for your dog to succeed in chewing appropriate items.
- Provide a variety of chew toys: Offer a diverse selection of appropriate and attractive chew toys, rotating them regularly to maintain interest. Be cautious with natural bones, ensuring they are safe for chewing and monitoring for any signs of tooth damage or splintering. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about safe chew options.
- Offer edible chews: Items like bully sticks, pig ears, and rawhide bones can be satisfying. However, supervise your dog closely to prevent choking, especially if they tend to swallow large pieces. Separation from other dogs during chew time can also reduce competition and encourage slower, safer chewing.
- Utilize puzzle toys: Fill puzzle toys with treats or portions of your dog’s daily food ration to provide mental stimulation and a rewarding chewing experience during high-chewing times.
- Use chewing deterrents: Bitter-tasting sprays can discourage chewing on inappropriate items. Apply a small amount directly to your dog’s mouth initially to associate the taste with unpleasantness. Regularly reapply the deterrent to targeted objects for several weeks. Remember, deterrents are a supplementary tool; teaching your dog what they can chew is equally important.
- Supervise closely: Monitor your dog during waking hours until their chewing behavior is under control. If you catch them chewing something inappropriate, calmly remove the item and redirect them to an acceptable chew toy, offering praise. If your dog shows signs of aggression when items are removed, seek professional help.
- Utilize confinement when unsupervised: When you cannot supervise your dog, use a crate or a confined room to prevent access to inappropriate items. Ensure the area is free of anything they shouldn’t chew and provide them with appropriate toys. Ample exercise and quality time outside of confinement are essential.
- Ensure adequate exercise and mental stimulation: Boredom is a significant driver of destructive chewing. Provide daily walks, playtime, training sessions, and interactive toys to keep your dog physically and mentally engaged.
- Avoid confusion: Do not offer old shoes or discarded household items as chew toys, as this confuses dogs about what is acceptable.
- Manage access to problematic items: Keep dirty laundry in hampers and dispose of sanitary items securely to prevent dogs from chewing on these items, which can be dangerous.
Lack of Exercise or Mental Stimulation
Dogs who don’t receive sufficient physical and mental stimulation may resort to chewing as a form of self-entertainment. Engaging your dog in daily walks, interactive play, training classes, and puzzle toys can help fulfill their need for activity and prevent boredom-induced chewing.
Stress and Frustration
Chewing can also be a response to stress or frustration, such as being crated near a disliked animal or being teased. Avoiding or mitigating these stressful situations is crucial. Providing an appropriate toy for your dog to shake and tear can help redirect frustration during exciting or potentially frustrating moments, like watching other dogs play or seeing animals through a fence.
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 past behaviors.
- Do not use inhumane methods: Avoid using duct tape to close a dog’s mouth or tying damaged objects to them, as these practices are cruel and ineffective.
- Do not overuse crates: Long periods of confinement (over six hours) can be detrimental.
- Do not muzzle to prevent chewing: Muzzling is not a solution for chewing behavior and can be uncomfortable and ineffective.
By understanding the root causes of destructive chewing and implementing consistent, positive management strategies, owners can effectively guide their dogs towards appropriate chewing habits. For more on managing canine behavior, consider exploring resources on [ Chester county dog training ] to find qualified professionals in your area.
