Destructive Chewing Behaviour in Dogs and How to Cope With it.
Destructive chewing in dogs is a common behaviour which can be very frustrating for owners. This Holidays4Dogs article will look at the reasons why dogs chew all sorts of items around the home and what owners can do to limit damage to their home and their dog!
Puppies under six months will usually have a natural desire to chew, in order to relieve discomfort during the puppy teething stage. Chewing also helps to remove puppy teeth, as adult teeth push through.
Reasons why dogs chew everyday items.
Young dogs will use their mouths in order to discover things about their environment.
Teeth – Puppies may have gum discomfort due to their adult teeth emerging.
Separation anxiety – Being left alone, especially for long periods, can encourage a dog to chew inappropriately.
Boredom – This is another common reason why dogs will resort to chewing behaviour. Dogs with high activity levels, such as border collies and spaniels, require a great deal of both mental and physical stimulation. Without this, they will often create their own entertainment in the form of destructive chewing.
Diet – Diet can sometimes be the cause of inappropriate chewing – chewing plaster walls, for instance, may be due to an unbalanced diet, or even hunger.
It is important to remember that chewing is a normal behaviour. Dogs don’t know what things they can and cannot chew.
Things you can do to help your dog.
Remove any valuable, or loose, objects from the areas your dog has access to. Consider limiting your dog’s access to places where there are harmful, or expensive, items.
Provide your dog with lots of appropriate chews. Have several different types, so you can rotate them.
Never punish your dog for chewing, as this will not solve the problem.
Exercise your dog appropriate to his needs and go to as many different places as you can, allowing them to explore the environment.
Playing with your dog is equally as important in-between outdoor exercise. Aim for a few minutes play time, three or four times a day.
Types of chews.
- Dental chews.
- Activity balls are designed to be tough and have holes into which you can place titbits. As the ball rolls around, the titbits fall out for the dog to eat.
- Kong toy. Robust, rubber toys, which can be filled with food. However, a determined chewer could still nibble bits of rubber from these, so always try and supervise.
- Natural teeth cleaners such as raw carrots.
When the puppy, or adolescent dog, matures into adulthood, the desire to chew things will decrease. However, all dogs still benefit from having chew treats, which helps with boredom and keeps teeth nice and clean.
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