Dogs love to chew on things. It's a natural behavior that helps them relieve anxiety, boredom, and stress.
But when your dog starts chewing on furniture, shoes, or other objects in your home, it can become a problem.
We will discuss some solutions that will help stop your dog from chewing on things. We'll also recommend some of the best treats for aggressive chewers.
Why does my dog keep chewing on furniture
Unraveling the Reasons: Why Does My Dog Keep Chewing on Furniture?
Oh, the joys of dog ownership! From those delightful morning licks to their boundless energy, dogs bring so much happiness. However, if there's one behavior that can make any dog parent pull their hair out, it's finding your beloved furball nibbling on the armrest of your brand-new couch! It makes one wonder: why does my dog keep chewing on furniture?
Puppies and their Teething Troubles
For our little puppies, the world is a giant chew toy. But often, behind those nibbles lies the discomfort of incoming teeth. Chewing provides relief, albeit at the expense of our furniture.
The Dental Hygiene Connection
Don't think this is only a puppy problem! For our older canines, chewing isn’t just about fun. Nature designed this behavior to keep their jaws robust and maintain dental hygiene. So, every time they munch on something, it's like they're brushing their teeth, in a very doggy way, of course!
Combatting Boredom and Anxiety
Chewing also doubles up as a stress-reliever. Just like how some of us might bite our nails or twiddle our thumbs, dogs chew to combat boredom or alleviate anxiety and frustration. If they're left alone for too long or aren't getting enough exercise, the furniture might seem like an inviting target for those restless jaws.
1. Be attentive.
Pay attention to your dog's body language and behavior. This will help you identify the cause of chewing, whether it be boredom or stress.
If you notice your dog is exhibiting anxious behaviors like pacing back and forth or panting heavily while chewing on things around them, try taking them outside for some fresh air and exercise before giving treats as a reward for good behavior.
If they continue to exhibit these signs after leaving their leash off (or even just letting it drop), then there may be an underlying medical issue that needs addressing right away!
- Get out of sight: Hide toys when not in use so they don't become targets for destructive playtime sessions; also consider placing furniture up against walls where possible.
- Give them something else to chew on: Try giving your dog a toy or two that they like instead of chewing things around the house such as shoes, furniture.
- Distract them with other activities: Play fetch with him outside so he doesn't have time to get bored and start chewing on things inside home again; this will also help distract him from any other triggers that might be causing his destructive behavior!
2. Contain the situation.
If your dog is still chewing on things even after trying the tips above, it's time to take more drastic measures.
One way to do this is to contain the situation by using a baby gate or crate in an area where they are allowed to be.
This will help prevent them from being able to roam and chew on things they're not supposed to.
Another solution is to put bitter apple spray or citrus juice onto objects that you don't want them chewing on.
This will deter them from wanting to chew on those items again in the future.
Last but not least, make sure you are providing your dog with enough exercise and stimulation throughout the day so they don't get bored and resort back to destructive chewing habits!
There are many solutions that can help stop your dog from chewing on things. By using a combination of the tips we've provided, you should be able to find one that works for your furry friend!
And don't forget to reward them with treats when they exhibit good behavior. This will help reinforce the desired behaviors and make sure they stay out of trouble in the future.
3. Leave your scent behind.
If all else fails, try leaving your scent on the items you don't want them to chew. This might work if they're just bored or looking for something to do.
If it doesn't then maybe consider giving up altogether. But remember that even though this may seem like a last resort option (and it probably is), there are still many other things you can do first before trying this method!
For example: Get out of sight; Hide toys when not in use so he doesn't become frustrated by having nothing else left over which might tempt him into destructive playtime sessions with his favorite chew toy again later on down road.
Also consider placing furniture up against walls where possible to give some extra space between objects around home.
4. Put away anything that a dog can chew on.
Dogs are attracted to these items because they contain smells that appeal to them. If you cannot put an item away, make sure it is in a place where the dog cannot reach it.
Dogs love to chew on things. It's what they do! This means that if you have anything in your home that a dog could potentially get his mouth on, you need to put it away.
This includes children's toys, shoes, and furniture. Dogs are attracted to these items because they contain smells that appeal to them.
If you cannot put an item away, make sure it is in a place where the dog cannot reach it. Putting these items away will help keep your home safe and sound.
5. Choose dog toys wisely
There are plenty of dog toys on the market, but all dogs don’t like to play with every toy. Some chew toys might be too hard for your pet or may be indigestible if chewed off in large pieces.
To help prevent injuries and possible choking hazards, keep a close eye on your pet when playing with his toys. If he is an aggressive chewer and tears apart one of his toys, discard it immediately before he eats any part of it!
Why are bully sticks the best treats for aggressive chewers?
Bully sticks are all long-lasting treats that can satisfy your dog’s urge to chew.
Bully sticks are the best treats for aggressive chewers because they are made of all-natural beef muscle. Furthermore, bully sticks are high in protein and low in fat!
Remember, the best way to keep your pet safe and healthy is by providing him with appropriate toys and chews that are suited for his individual chewing habits.
The best toy for aggressive chewers is usually something they can’t destroy in minutes.
Bully sticks are one of the best treats for aggressive chewers because they last a long time and help clean teeth at the same time!
These all-natural beef products come in different sizes and thicknesses, so it’s important to choose the right one for your pet.
Remember to always supervise your pet when he is playing with his toys!
6. Interrupt, then divert
In addition to the above, you can also interrupt your dog’s chewing behavior and then divert his attention to a different object.
This works best if you have already trained your dog using positive reinforcement techniques (as we mentioned earlier) so that he is easily distracted by treats or toys that he likes playing with.
It takes time for this technique to stick but it does work in most cases if done consistently over several weeks:
Every time your puppy starts gnawing on something inappropriate, clap loudly and say “no!” in an angry voice (but don’t yell).
Immediately take away the item he was chewing on and replace it with one of his chew toys or another approved item, such as a piece of rawhide.
Once he’s calm and has stopped chewing, praise him lavishly and give him a treat.
If your dog persists in trying to chew on things he’s not supposed to, you may need to increase the intensity of your interrupting behavior (clapping louder, yelling “no!” more forcefully).
But be careful not to overdo it – you don’t want to scare or intimidate your pup into submission.
Eventually, with enough repetition, your dog will learn that when he starts gnawing on something inappropriate, bad things happen (namely, he gets yelled at and loses whatever item he was chewing on).
7. Do not give your dog an old shoe or old socks to chew on.
This only teaches your dog that it is okay to chew on some of your shoes. Instead, give them a toy and teach the “leave it” command so they know what toys are for chewing and which ones are not.
If your dog is a chewer, you know that it can be tough to stop them from going after your shoes, furniture, or anything else they find tempting.
However, there are solutions that work and can help you train your dog not to chew on things he or she should not.
Do not give your dog an old shoe or old socks to chew on. This only teaches your dog that it is okay to chew on some of your shoes.
Instead, give them a toy and teach the “leave it” command so they know what toys are for chewing and which ones are not.
Final Words:
If your dog is a chewer, you know that it can be tough to stop them from going after your shoes, furniture, or anything else they find tempting.
However, there are solutions that work and can help you train your dog not to chew on things he or she should not.
Do not give your dog an old shoe or old socks to chew on. This only teaches your dog that it is okay to chew bully sticks.
This post was last updated at July 27, 2024 02:51
