How to Train Your Dog not to Chew

Getting a new puppy can be quite a joy. But seeing your shoes and furniture shredded is not. I never had problems with my dog chewing after trying one simple technique. The vet said not to punish him for what he should not do unless I have shown him what he should do. So, try this and see if it works for you. Keep in mind that this may not correct well-established behaviors if your dog has been chewing a while. This is for pups that have not formed bad habits yet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Stuffed animal
• Chew toy
• Treats

1. Whenever my tiny puppy would start to gnaw on my finger, I would put a stuffed animal in his mouth. When you do this, do not scold the dog or punish it. You should simply show it what it should do.
2. When you catch the dog chewing on shoes or furniture, do the same thing. Show it what it should chew.
3. Play with the puppy and his stuffed toy or chew toy often so that it enjoys the toy and knows that playing with this toy probably means getting to play with you.
4. Be consistent with the puppy. By the time he or she stops teething, hopefully he or she will not only not be a chewer but have a favorite toy to play with too.