Dog Training - Destructive Chewing

The reason why dogs chew is not the same with every dog. Some dogs simply seem to enjoy chewing on everything in site while others seem to be driven to it out of sheer boredom. There is no need to have dog destructive chewing problems, with a good e-book such as Secrets to Dog Training you can lear how to stop your dog's destructive chewing. No more dog destructive chewing!

Maybe it is necessary to define the phrase ”destructive chewing.“

Remember, dog destructive chewing is not when your dog chews on her own designated toys. Dog destructive chewing is when your dog chews on your possessions such as your shoes, furniture and other household items. We all know how much destruction those sharp pointed teeth can cause! For more help on this have a look at Secrets to Dog Training .

Methods To Stop Your Dog Destructive Chewing Problems.

Let’s have a look at the reasons why dogs chew:

(Possible Reasons For Dog Destructive Chewing)

Now we get to the ways we can use to prevent this dog destructive chewing problem:

Dogs are perfectly capable of learning not to chew your stuff – you just have to put in a little effort first, that’s all. For more on how to prevent and stop dog destructive chewing, you may want to have a look at Secrets to Dog Training )

1. First of all you have to take control of the situation: manage your own possessions (unmanaged destructive chewing can cost you a fortune).

Before you give attention to your dog's destructive chewing, dog-proof your home! Remember dogs explore the world with their mouths. Do not test your dog’s self-control. Dog-proofing your home means taking whatever you don’t want to end up in her mouth, and making it unavailable. Consider her size and agility when deciding whether something’s out of reach: can she jump? Can she climb, or leap onto something else to reach the desired object? How tall is she when standing on her back legs? For more advice on this I recommend Secrets to Dog Training

Remember, common targets for destructive chewing include books, eye wear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and any small items like cameras, cell phones and remote controls.

It should go without saying that all food needs to be put securely away: don’t leave snacks on low tables (or even counter tops – you’d be surprised how acrobatic she can be when there’s food at stake!), put all food into containers or the pantry. Rinse your dirty plates clean of any food scraps before leaving them by the sink.

2. Prevention of dog destructive chewing is better than cure!

Work actively, from the very beginning, to prevent your dog from discovering the joy of chewing on ”illegal things.“ Once the destructive chewing starts every ”illicit bite“ reinforces this behavior. If it is possible to prevent it from even starting, the battle is mostly won. Practically speaking, this means confining her in a dog-proofed area until you’re confident of her understanding of the house rules. As in everything in live, prevention is better then cure, prevent dog destructive chewing BEFORE it becomes a serious problem. As with all your dog training, Secrets to Dog Training can help you with your dog destructive chewing problem.

3. Make very sure your dog understands the boundaries:

Your dog has to know exactly what her stuff is and what is yours. Do not confuse her by allowing her to chew on your (or anybody else’s for that matter) cast-off clothes, shoes or towels. It is impossible for her to tell the difference. As you will see in Secrets to Dog Training it is best to make sure she knows exactly what her toys are and what is your property (forbidden fruit!) Destructive chewing will not stop unless your dog understands this very well. Secrets to Dog Training can help you with this.

4. Make very sure you provide her with lots of tasty alternatives to your stuff, that will greatly alleviate the destructive chewing problem:

You can hardly blame her for chewing on your stuff if her environment is barren, boring and without anything tasty to chew on. Remember, most dogs need to chew; if she’s an adolescent (under three years) or a puppy (less than one year), she will have the need to chew even more. Go on a toy and chew shopping spree, then give her two or three to play with at a time. Rotating the available toys every few days will keep things novel and interesting for her. With giving your dog chewing toys, you can stop your dog destructive chewing problems.

5. Spend lots of time with your dog and use the time as active supervision.

A dog is an animal that needs attention. You cannot keep her cooped up in her crate, run or the yard. Much like a human baby, she cannot learn anything from you if she only spends time on her own in her dog-proofed zone.

6. Let her know when her chewing is wrong:

So, when you catch your dog chewing on something inappropriate, immediately interrupt her by making a loud noise: you can clap your hands or make an ”Ah-ah-aaaah!“ noise. Immediately follow this up by handing her a tasty and dog-appropriate alternative to chew on. As soon as her jaws close around it, praise her lavishly. There is no better way to get your dog to understand that chewing ”her“ toys equals praise from you, but everything else equals trouble. For more information on ”dog positive power training“ or ”positive reinforcement training“ I can really recommend an e-book such as Secrets to Dog Training . Everything you need to know about her training you will find in it.

7. The most important: Maintain a positive and productive attitude:

Please remember to be realistic. Just as you are not perfect so is your dog not perfect either. There will probably be a few instances where a cherished and valuable item lands up being damaged by her curiosity. Be patient, she’ll get it in the end.

Remember that in the early stages of your relationship she is still learning the ropes and it will take a little time for her to get it. Remember to give her time to learn the rules, and plenty of time spent with you to help her learn faster. You’ll get the help you need with Secrets to Dog Training so have a look at it. Also, do not forget to take all the necessary precautions. When she has to be on her own, make sure the environment is dog-proof, when she is with you, is the time to teach her the rules. Do spend as much time with her as possible, which is what we have pets for, enjoying their company.

For more information on dog training techniques, and how to deal with your dog’s problematic behavior, like chewing, check out Secrets to Dog Training . It’s the complete manual for dog ownership and is designed to fast-track your dog’s learning and to save you a whole lot of frustration!