Chewing and Destructive Behavior: How to Prevent Your Dog from Destroying Your Home
As a dog owner, one of the most frustrating and costly behaviors that you may have to deal with is your pup's chewing and destructive behavior. It can be heartbreaking to come home to a torn-up couch or chewed-up shoes, but it's important to understand that chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for dogs. However, it's important to manage it to prevent your dog from destroying your home and belongings. In this blog post, we'll discuss why dogs chew, how to prevent destructive chewing, and what to do if your dog does damage.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Dogs chew for many reasons, including teething, boredom, anxiety, and exploration. Puppies, in particular, have a strong urge to chew as they are teething and need to relieve the discomfort in their mouths. Adult dogs may chew out of boredom or anxiety, and may also chew to explore their environment.
Preventing Destructive Chewing
Prevention is key when it comes to managing destructive chewing behavior. Here are some tips to help prevent your dog from destroying your home:
Provide appropriate chew toys: Make sure to provide your dog with plenty of chew toys that are appropriate for their size and chewing style. Toys that can be filled with treats, like Kongs, can be particularly engaging and provide mental stimulation.
Keep tempting objects out of reach: If you have items that you don't want your dog to chew, like shoes or pillows, make sure to keep them out of reach. Put them in closets or on high shelves.
Supervise your dog: When you're home with your dog, keep an eye on them to make sure they're not getting into anything they shouldn't. If you see them starting to chew on something they shouldn't, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy.
Exercise and play: Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise and playtime to prevent boredom and anxiety.
Crate train your dog: Crate training can be a helpful way to manage destructive behavior when you're not home. Make sure to provide your dog with a comfortable crate and toys to keep them occupied.
Training: Basic obedience training can be helpful in preventing destructive behavior. Teaching your dog the "leave it" or "drop it" commands can help them learn what is and isn't appropriate to chew on.
Durable, long-lasting chews are perfect for super chewers, and are designed to last longer than real bones.
Dealing with Destructive Behavior
Even with preventative measures in place, your dog may still engage in destructive behavior. Here's what to do if your dog does damage:
Stay calm: It's important to stay calm and not punish your dog. Punishing your dog after the fact won't teach them what they did wrong and may make them fearful.
Redirect: If you catch your dog in the act of chewing on something they shouldn't, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy.
Clean up: Make sure to clean up any damage promptly to prevent your dog from being tempted to chew on the same object again.
Increase exercise and playtime: If your dog is engaging in destructive behavior out of boredom or anxiety, increasing exercise and playtime may help.
Consider consulting a professional: If your dog's destructive behavior persists, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for help.
Dealing with destructive chewing behavior in dogs can be frustrating, but it's important to understand that it's a natural behavior. Preventative measures, such as providing appropriate chew toys and keeping tempting objects out of reach, can be effective in managing destructive behavior. If your dog does damage, stay calm and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. With patience and consistency, you can help your dog learn what is and isn't appropriate to chew on, and prevent them from destroying your home and belongings.
