How do I keep my dog from chewing everything in sight?

Dear Rebecca Ann,

My two year old Lab/Rotti mix is a very destructive dog. It seems that every time I turn my head or leave him alone, he has chewed something up. My husband is getting very tired of replacing his shoes because Duke has decided that they look delicious. Do you have any suggestions on how I can get this to stop. Duke will chew on ANYTHING, please help before we have to find him a new home.

Cindy,
Rhode Island

Hi Cindy,

All dogs have a tendency to chew. It's a normal and essential part of a dog's life. Puppies will chew to relieve the pain of teething. Young dogs use their mouths to explore the world around them. Adult dogs chew to relieve boredom and anxiety, or just because it's fun.

Chewing is actually healthy for your dog. It stimulates gastric juices that aid in digestion and helps keep your pet’s teeth clean.

The problem is not that your dog chews, but what he decides to chew. When he starts nibbling away on the sofa, electrical cords or your favorite leather shoes, you have a chewing problem.

Lack of exercise, lengthy confinement and loneliness cause many behavior problems, including chewing. Furnishing your pet with more outlets for physical and social interaction - long walks, going to the dog park or doggy daycare, and training classes can help.

Crating is not a cure for inappropriate chewing, but it can help save your valuables while you assist your pet in breaking the habit. When you are not able to watch him, crate your dog so he can't get into trouble.

Provide him with an ample supply of chew toys. That way he can chew to his heart's content - but only on appropriate items.

Some dogs are picky about what they want to chew. Try a variety of chew toys including rawhides, nylabones, rope and other safe chews, to see what your pet prefers best.

As soon as you figure out which one is his favorite, buy a supply and place them in every room of the house - particularly the rooms where he has chewed on valuables.

Be sure not to give your dog old shoes or other household items to chew, or you will send him mixed signals and you may find him raiding closets for similar items that he sees as toys. Dogs cannot distinguish between an old sneaker and a dress shoe.

If your pet doesn’t seem attracted to chew toys, you may need to show him that playing with chew toys is fun and makes you really happy.

Use chew toys in your play sessions. Make trying to “get” the chew toy into a fun game. Tease it in front of him. Throw it and encourage him to go get it and pick it up. Reward him lots of praise when he goes and picks it up.

As soon as your dog has found the joy of his chew toys, teach him to find one when it is not in sight. Let him see you hide it, and then tell him to “find it”. When he discovers it, lavish him with praise.

Only correct your dog when you actually catch him in the act of chewing on something he shouldn't. Use a short, sharp vocal reprimand, like "NO." Your tone of voice will tell your dog that you are angry with him.

Give him one of his chew toys and praise him the second he picks it up. The single most important thing you can do to help your dog figure out how to chew the right items is to reward him with lots of praise when he makes the right choice.

Never correct a dog when you discover something that he had destroyed after the fact. He isn’t able understand the cause of your anger and will simply become afraid of you. However, if your pet keeps returning to the same spot, you might want to "booby trap" it with Chew-No-More! Spray to encourage him to find an alternative.

If you have any more questions about your dog,
please feel free to contact me!

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