I got a dog for Christmas from my ex boyfriend and I love it a lot. It's so cute, but my parents want to get rid of it because he chews up everything. I don't know how to stop it, and I don't want to get rid of him at all. What can I do to make him stop chewing on stuff?
Sara from Gravette
If the pup does it when you're not home, then he needs to be kennel trained. If he does it when you're there and you catch him, make a short, loud sharp sound every time, and after awhile he will stop. Try a whistle or a jar of pennies. (10/13/2008)
By samantha
All puppies chew. It's important to make sure they have suitable chewing toys. You can't stop a puppy from chewing, it's natural. You can use something like Bitter Apple spray to let them know not to chew on doorways, shoes, etc. Your puppy will eventually outgrow the constant chewing. (10/13/2008)
By Wendy
Something that saved us with our puppy (who's 6 months old now) is the wasabi paste that comes in a tube. It's potent to say the least! Just smear it on everything you don't want the puppy to chew on, and he'll learn quick. It saved our chair and table legs, as well as the stair treads. He wanted to chew on EVERYTHING! You can find it in the international section of your grocery store, and it's pretty cheap- we can buy a small tube of it for about $2.50.
As for everything else that isn't nailed down, remove it from his reach, and if he finds something unacceptable to chew on, take it from him and scold him, and be consistent! For example, puppies don't know that some shoes are okay to chew on and some aren't. Something else that helped us was wearing him out with long walks, spending a lot of that energy outside running around meant less for chewing and being destructive. Good luck, and have patience. Dogs are worth it, but wow. Yeah. Patience. (10/13/2008)
By Beth
Though you didn't say so, many people punish animals by yelling, spanking, slapping their hands or stomping their feet, saying no, etc. Please don't do this if you are, and please don't start doing it because you've become frustrated. Like Wendopolis said, puppies chew and need toys.
However to learn proper manners they need constant supervision. If you haven't crate trained the pup, it isn't too late. Puppy should be in the crate whenever you leave the house and at night, this will greatly reduce destruction. And don't feel guilty about this, it isn't a punishment, dogs prefer feeling safe when you are not with them, a small space provides this feeling of safety.
Leave a chew toy in the crate at all times. You can also get a play yard, they are made for toddlers and puppies. We keep ours in the kitchen at all times and puppy goes there when we can't watch him closely, like when I'm washing dishes or running to get the mail. Limit areas puppy can be, close doors, gate off stairs or entire rooms. Keep rooms puppy can be in clean - nothing on the floor, electrical cords tied up safely and nothing on tables if puppy is tall enough to reach when standing up.
Every time you find puppy with something he shouldn't have, make a sharp noise in your throat to get his attention - he might even drop it. Exchange the item with an approved toy and give lots of praise and attention. This is not praise for being "bad," this is making the animal feel good about the toy he now has - it's called distraction. Distraction is always the better option! (10/13/2008)
By Camille
Do you have enough chew toys? You have to provide SOMETHING for him to chew on, and you need to have a variety, because, as you have already experienced, they get bored with one thing and move onto another! You need to find him something appropriate he would rather chew on. (10/16/2008)
By Beth
I would NOT do the wasabi paste. That would be cruel and harmful. The best tip is to provide lots of toys to play with and chew on, and praise pup a lot. Good luck. (10/20/2008)
Crate training will be a great place to start. I have a Chocolate Lab, she is crate trained. That will help with chewing when you are gone. When you are home, put up baby gates in the area you are in. That will help in keeping your dog within sight. Have plenty of toys. If you catch your dog chewing on something it's not supposed to, tell it a command such as "Leave it" or "Not yours" and give him something that is his. Look at some different Dog clicking websites. It is usually under clicker training for dogs. This would help with a lot of issues you will have with him as he gets older. Good Luck! (11/09/2008)
By Emily
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
