FXSTD – Alternative Energy Center

By: Sandra Scott
It's likely that you are here because you want to find out how to stop your dog from chewing your clothing, cushions, and shoes.

Dogs will vary in their need to chew. While certain dogs chew because they enjoy the activity, others will only chew due to boredom.

Here are the main reasons for destructive and inappropriate dog chewing:

The desire to chew is innate to most dogs, especially if the item being chewed tastes good. The physical act of chewing can be an emotional outlet for a lonely or bored dog. As with comfort food to humans, a nervous dog can find chewing to be relaxing. Dogs that are under exercised may chew to keep themselves busy and to burn up excess energy.

How To Stop Dogs Chewing

With a little effort and training on your part, you can stop dogs chewing and damaging your stuff.

Firstly, your home must be dog-proofed. If you don't want your dog to chew something, you should ensure that it is kept well away from his jaws. You must think about whether your pet will be able to leap, climb, or jump up to reach the object he has in mind. Popular chewing targets for dogs include clothing, garbage, shoes, books, eye glasses. They also love small crunchy items such as cell phones, cameras, and remote controls. It goes without saying that all food must be securely stored in containers or in the pantry to prevent dogs from chewing. You should rinse dirty dishes before leaving them in the sink. Food or snacks left on a low surface or even on the kitchen counter will be gobbled up in an instant by your delighted dog. Stop dogs from discovering the enjoyment of inappropriate chewing. If your dog is prevented from chewing your stuff early in his life, the easier it will be for him to understand what you require of him. The more frequently your dog is given an opportunity to chew on items such as pillows, shoes, and furniture, the more likely he will be to choose to chew those items again. Until you are sure that your dog has a clear comprehension of the house rules, he should be restricted to a dog-proofed part of the house. It is important that your dog clearly understands what is his stuff (can be chewed) and your stuff (cannot be chewed). If you let your dog chew on your discarded shoes, you can't expect him to understand the difference between them and the new ones at the door. The same thing pertains to towels, clothing etc. Dogs can be prevented from chewing by supplying them with lots of tempting alternatives to your belongings. You must remember that most dogs feel an innate desire to chew, particularly puppies and young dogs under three years of age. Buy dog toys or chews, giving your dog up to three at one time. The toys should be of various textures, shapes and flavors. Rotating the toys will help to keep your dog entertained. Spend plenty of time actively supervising your dog. If he is constantly restricted to the dog-proofed area, he will not be able to understand what is expected of him. So your dog is able to comprehend what is appropriate and what is not, he will need to be given the chance to explore the limits of your expectations. When you catch your dog in the act of inappropriate chewing, clap your hands or say "No" in a firm voice!". He should be presented with alternatives such as a rawhide bone or chew toy. As soon as he bites down on it, you should lavish praise on him. This will help your dog to realize that he will be praised for chewing his stuff and inappropriate chewing means trouble for him.

My recommended dog training guide to stop dogs chewing is: Secrets to Dog Training