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 the discomfort of teething, while for older dogs, it helps maintain strong jaws and clean teeth. Chewing also provides mental stimulation, combats boredom, and can even help relieve mild anxiety or frustration. However, when this natural behavior is directed towards inappropriate items, it can become a source of frustration for both dogs and their owners. This article explores the reasons behind destructive chewing and offers effective strategies to manage and reduce it.
Ruling Out Underlying Problems
Before implementing management strategies, it’s crucial to identify if destructive chewing is a symptom of a more significant behavioral or medical issue.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often exhibit destructive chewing primarily when left alone. This behavior is usually accompanied by other signs such as whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, and inappropriate elimination. If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, seeking professional guidance is recommended.
Fabric Sucking
Some dogs engage in licking, sucking, and chewing on fabrics. This behavior is sometimes linked to being weaned too early. If fabric-sucking becomes a prolonged and difficult-to-redirect behavior, it may indicate a compulsive disorder. In such cases, consulting with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized experience is advised.
Hunger
A dog on a calorie-restricted diet might chew destructively in an attempt to find additional nutrition. This type of chewing is often directed towards objects that smell or are related to food.
Managing and Reducing Destructive Chewing
Once underlying issues are ruled out, you can implement strategies to manage and reduce inappropriate chewing.
Puppy Teething
Puppies are motivated to chew due to their exploratory nature and the discomfort of teething. As they lose baby teeth and adult teeth emerge, this chewing phase can intensify, typically subsiding by six months of age. Offering puppies frozen toys, ice cubes, or wet washcloths can provide relief. Gentle guidance is essential to teach puppies to restrict their chewing to appropriate items, such as their own toys.
Normal Chewing Behavior
Chewing is a normal and healthy activity for dogs of all ages, contributing to strong jaws and clean teeth. Dogs naturally enjoy chewing on bones, sticks, and other available items for enjoyment, stimulation, and anxiety relief. To prevent inappropriate chewing, ensure your dog has a variety of appealing and suitable chew toys.
Useful Tips for Managing Chewing
- “Dog-proof” your home: Secure valuable items, shoes, clothing, and books to make it easier for your dog to succeed.
- Provide appropriate chew toys: Offer a variety of durable toys that keep your dog engaged. Rotating toys every few days can prevent boredom. Be cautious with natural bones, ensuring they are specifically sold for chewing and are not cooked, as these can splinter. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about safe chew options.
- Offer edible chews: Items like bully sticks, pig ears, or rawhide bones can be satisfying. However, supervise your dog closely to prevent choking if they tend to swallow large pieces.
- Utilize puzzle toys: Fill puzzle toys with treats or a portion of your dog’s daily food ration, especially during times your dog is most likely to chew.
- Use chewing deterrents: Spray deterrents on inappropriate items. Introduce the taste to your dog by applying a small amount to a tissue. This can help them associate the unpleasant taste with the item. Reapply deterrents daily for a few weeks, but remember this is only one part of the solution; teaching your dog what they can chew is equally important.
- Supervise diligently: Monitor your dog closely, especially during the initial stages. If you catch them chewing something inappropriate, calmly redirect them to an acceptable chew item and offer praise. If your dog shows signs of aggression when items are removed, seek professional guidance.
- Use confinement when unsupervised: When direct supervision is not possible, confine your dog to a safe area such as a crate or a small room. Remove all inappropriate items and provide a variety of appropriate chew toys. Ensure your dog receives ample exercise and quality time when out of confinement.
- Ensure sufficient exercise and mental stimulation: A tired dog is less likely to engage in destructive chewing. Provide ample opportunities for physical activity, such as walks, playtime, and training. Engaging your dog in mentally stimulating activities like puzzle toys or training sessions is also crucial.
- Avoid mixed messages: Do not offer old shoes or household items as chew toys, as this can confuse your dog about what is acceptable.
- Manage access to tempting items: Securely store items like dirty underwear and garbage to prevent dogs from chewing on them, which can be dangerous. Many of these behaviors are outgrown as dogs mature.
Lack of Exercise or Mental Stimulation
Inadequate physical and mental stimulation can lead dogs to seek their own entertainment, often through chewing. Regular exercise, including walks, playtime, and training, is essential. Incorporating food puzzle toys can also provide mental enrichment.
Stress and Frustration
Stressful situations, such as being crated near a disliked animal or being teased, can trigger chewing. Avoiding these triggers is key. Additionally, dogs prevented from engaging in exciting activities may resort to destructive chewing out of frustration. Providing an appropriate toy for shaking and tearing during anticipated frustrating moments can help redirect this energy. For dogs behind fences or gates, a sturdy rope toy can offer a chewing outlet.
What NOT to Do
- Do not punish after the fact: Dogs cannot associate punishment with actions that occurred hours or even minutes prior.
- Avoid inhumane methods: Never use duct tape to close a dog’s mouth or tie damaged objects to them. These methods are cruel and ineffective.
- Limit crate time: Extended periods in a crate (over six hours) are not recommended for preventing chewing.
- Do not muzzle for chewing prevention: Muzzling is not an appropriate solution for managing chewing behavior.
By understanding the root causes of destructive chewing and implementing consistent, positive management strategies, you can help your dog develop appropriate chewing habits and enjoy a harmonious life together.
