Tips to stop destructive chewing in dogs

BY | January 18 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

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Returning to home after a busy day at work to discover your couch in shreds can be a frustrating and annoying experience. If you have a dog who has the habit of chewing anything in sight, you know what we are talking about. Destructive chewing in dogs can be a major behavioral concern and can expose your furry friend to safety risks. Cases of dogs chewing on sharp or toxic objects arenโ€™t unheard of. If your dogย  feels the compulsion to chew on every object in plain sight, we got you covered. To help, we, in this post, have compiled a list of some tips to stop destructive chewing in dogs. Take a look.

  1. Encourage appropriate chewing behavior
    To promote appropriate chewing habits, provide chew toys such as balls to your furry friend. Steer clear of toys with big holes. Avoid giving rawhide and beef bones to determined chewers as after shredding them to pieces, they might try to swallow them. These pieces can damage your dogโ€™s esophagus. Instead, give them greenies and dental chew sticks that boost dental health.
  2. Exercise your dog regularly
    Mental and physical stimulation plays an important role in deterring dogs from chewing on stuff. Many dogs who donโ€™t get enough exercise chew out of boredom, as they are unable to find any outlet for energy release. Exercising your dog will tire them out, and they wonโ€™t have the zeal or energy to chew on objects. Additionally, exercising boosts the production of endorphins, which has a calming effect.
  3. Consult your vet
    In many cases, chewing may be more of a health issue than a behavioral problem. Cases of dogs with gastrointestinal problems developing chewing issues arenโ€™t unheard of. Many dogs suffer from pica, a eating disorder that results from nutritional deficiencies.
    To address these problems, visit your pet who may conduct a full body check up to ensure your furry friend is not suffering from any health issues. Your vet will also consider tests to ensure your pooch is not experiencing separation anxiety.
  4. Discourage your dog from chewing on objects
    If you find your dog chewing on an inappropriate object, take it away immediately. To ensure your canine does not repeat the behavior, scold them. Direct their attention to chew toys and praise them when they chew on the object. Consider crating your dog. Avoid using harsh methods such as duct taping around your dogโ€™s mouth, as it can give rise to other behavioral issues.
  5. Spray items with dog repellents
    Once you have identified inappropriate objects your dog loves to chew on, spray them with taste repellents such as Bitter Apple spray. You can also try spraying items with dog repellents. The idea is to help your dog associate an unpleasant experience with a certain action, preventing them from repeating the behavior.
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