If your dog has gone on a chewing spree, you might be at your wit’s end. Everything seems to be free game to chew on, and in the process, your belongings get destroyed. If you are tired of replacing items, keep reading. In our “How To Stop My Dog From Chewing Everything in sight?” we will solve your problems once and for all.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Before we can stop your dog from chewing everything, it’s essential to know why your dog does it. As with everything, your dog’s actions are a clear sign that something might be wrong. Most dogs chew as a result of teething, anxiety, boredom, or dental problems. So when you instead of wondering how to stop my dog from chewing everything in sight? You should be wondering why my dog is chewing. So let’s look at these most common reasons for chewing and how to fix them.
Puppy Chewing
If your puppy is younger than six months of age and chewing everything, you have a teether. Your puppy is starting to lose its milk teeth and growing adult teeth. Just like our human babies, this can cause drooling, pain, and swollen gums. And to relieve that discomfort, young dogs will start to chew on everything.
In most cases, your puppy isn’t fully housebroken yet. They are still learning basic commands, how to potty train, and house rules. So like everything else, you need to redirect this. But don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to do. All you need is time, treats, and puppy teethers.
Helping Your Puppy’s Teething
To get your puppy to stop destroying your house, you need to take action early. If you let the undesirable behavior continue, you will have an adult dog with destructive behaviors. And the best way to stop chewing at this age is positive reinforcement. The goal here is to show your puppy the appropriate outlets to chew on, like the N-Bone Puppy Teething Treats.
The first step is to keep an eye on your dog all day. Whenever your dog starts to chew something it shouldn’t, give him a quick “drop it” command. You use a command like “drop it” because phrases like “no” are too common in our everyday vocabulary.
After you tell your puppy to drop it, it’s time to redirect it. Giving him those tasty chew sticks or teething rings shows him what is acceptable to chew on. Praise your puppy for using the correct chewing outlet and cheer him on. And any time your dog goes to the chew sticks first, give him a reward and praise for being good. Your puppy will learn that chewing your furniture and the remote control isn’t acceptable in no time.
Another thing to remember is that you have to keep an eye on your puppy at all times for this method to work. If you can’t supervise your puppy while you are gone, crate training is your best option. That way, your puppy can’t hurt himself or your belongings. And you can give them appropriate chew toys to keep them busy.
Anxious Chewing
The biggest cause of dog destructive behaviors is anxiety. Most of us know that a dog can get separation anxiety if left alone for too long. But did you also know that boredom and lack of exercise is another cause of stress? If your dog doesn’t have the basic resources he needs to be active and enriched, it can cause anxiety. The first step in stopping your anxious chewer is to identify why your dog is anxious. Here are a few ways that you can help your dog chewing.
- If your dog has separation anxiety, you might hire a dog walker or send your dog to daycare. The extra company will keep your dog’s sanity and stop all the destructive behaviors.
- You might also consider making a toy rotation and puzzles for when you are away. These special toys will preoccupy a dog with separation anxiety and will also give them mental stimulation. And if they love their toys enough, they won’t even mind when you leave for the day.
- Walking your dog frequently will also be a huge stress relief to your dog. Walks will keep them fit and burn any excess energy. You might even consider taking two walks a day to meet their needs. With so much activity, they won’t have time to be anxious.
- Regular training sessions are another way to cure boredom in your dogs. Training classes will give your dog structure and a sense of purpose. And studies have shown that training dramatically reduces stress and strengthens the bond between dog owners and their furry friends.
- And finally, calming sprays can work wonders on an anxious dog. Products like Adaptil Calming Spray for Dogs use pheromones to calm a puppy down and relax them in stressful situations.
Dental Chewing
And finally, dog chewing is a sign that your dog might need dental attention. Gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth decay are prevalent in dogs due to the lack of knowledge in people. When wondering how to stop my dog from chewing everything in sight? you should consider their dental health. Let’s look at a few things you can do to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
Dental Checks
Just like humans go to the dentist, your dog should also get regular cleanings. A vet can clean your dog’s teeth, remove plaque, and check for problem areas. Starting at 2-3 years old, your dog should have an annual cleaning and semi-annual checks.
Brushing Teeth
In the wild, many animals chew on sticks and bones to clean their teeth. So it’s not too far-fetched to say that some dog chewing could be the result of a dirty mouth. You can buy a dog toothbrush and toothpaste like the Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste to clean your dog’s mouth. By brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week, you reduce the chances of dental disease.
Dental Chews
We know that brushing your dog’s teeth isn’t always the easiest thing to do. And while you should still try to clean your puppy’s teeth from a young age, there are temporary alternatives. Dental chews like Merrick Fresh Kisses Oral Care Dental Dog Treats clean tartar while your dog chews. Plus, they are great and healthy treats for your dog that you can feel good about.
How To Keep Your Dog Safe During This Process
If you have been dealing with dog chewing for a while, you know the dangers of it. If your dog chews on inappropriate items like electrical cords, shoes, or painted furniture, it could pose a real health risk. So to keep your dogs safe during this training process, there are a few things you should do.
The first thing you should consider is crate training your dog while you are away. Keeping your dog in a crate doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s a safe place for your dog to go when you can’t watch him. That way, your dog can’t get to those things or destroy sentimental items.
The other thing you should do is puppy-proof your home. Even if you have an older dog, it’s always a good idea to keep things out of reach. Getting down on their level, you can see all of the potential hazards they can sink their teeth into. You will want to put these items away or protect them with outlet or cord covers.
And the last thing you should consider buying is a no-chew spray. We love the product Grannick’s Bitter Apple Liquid because the sour taste is guaranteed to work. All you have to do is spray it on problem areas. If you can’t keep your puppy from chewing the legs of your dining room chairs, spray this, and your worries are gone.
What Won’t Help
When training your dog not to chew your belongings, there are a few things you should never do. The first thing is never to yell and punish your dog using force. Studies have shown that yelling and hitting your dog will only make them more anxious. And in turn, you might have another behavioral issue at hand. Instead, we always recommend redirection to appropriate chew toys and positive reinforcement.
And the other thing you should never do is allow your dog to chew on old shoes or rags. Not only is this dangerous, but it can also be confusing. Your dog won’t know the difference between an old shoe and the $900 Louis Vuitton heels. So to save your wallet and confusion, only give dog chews designed explicitly for them.
And Don’t Forget!
Dog chewing is a natural thing that they all do throughout their lives. It’s a way to clean teeth, relieve stress, and busy their minds. You won’t be capable of stopping it completely. But you can give your dogs something good to chew on. Bully sticks, turkey tendons, and chew sticks are necessary for every dog to have on hand. If you don’t have them already, it could be the reason why your dog is turning to the furniture.
Chewing Is Never Fun
With these tricks, you will never wonder how to stop my dog from chewing everything in sight?. You might even forget that your dog used to destroy all of your belongings. And your dog will feel so much better with a safe outlet for his chewing needs.