Read About Dog Chewing

Dogs chew for a variety of reasons. The trick for their owners is to minimize destructive chewing and steer the dog to correct this behavior or to change the conditions that make the dog chew in the first place.

1. Don´t forget that chewing is natural for puppies. They chew because it strengthens their gums and teeth and assists in the irritation caused by new teeth coming in. Frankly, they´re teething! Give a puppy a safe doggie toy to chew while removing all inappropriate items it might chew on. If you make it clear with tone of voice and your behavior what is good to chew on and what is very bad to chew on, the new pup will learn. They really want to be good and accepted by the big creature in charge.

2. If an older dog starts chewing suddenly, the problem might be changing nutritional needs. You should plan a visit with your dog´s vet to evaluate the dog´s health and potential changing dietary needs. As a dog ages, their body needs different nutrients than they received as a puppy. A slight change in their diet, a vitamin, and a new chew toy to substitute for the couch, may be in order.

3. A dog that gets confused signals from his owners may start neurotically chewing. The chewing is a mechanism to comfort himself. Similarly, a stressed dog may suddenly start to chew on household items. A change in their home, such as a new baby or another pet introduced into the home, could strain the pup. Even something new near your home, such as construction with loud sounds, sights, and smells, can pressure your dog. If your dog starts chewing unexpectedly, ask yourself what has changed around the house. Once you figure out the source, you can help your dog to move back to toys instead of chewing on the carpet or walls.