How to Keep a Dog From Chewing Items
When you are a dog owner and your loving pet has a tendency to chew things that he is not supposed to chew, you and your dog might come to a crossroad of sorts. But there are ways to stop your dog from chewing your favorite slippers or the end of your sofa. With persistence and a lot of patience, you can have a much-loved dog that does not chew.
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Instructions
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Reacting is exactly what you dog wants. Dogs chew because they want attention and will take negative attention if that is the only kind available. Your reaction is what will determine if your dog will continue to chew. If he sees no reaction, then there is no reason to chew. While this will not happen overnight, in time he will get the idea.
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Place your dog in a crate while you are not home. But remember that while some breeds will tolerate this, others like the Labrador, do not like to be left alone and the crate could cause them to suffer separation anxiety, which in turn, could make chewing worse. If you opt for the crate method, crate train your dog when he is young rather than expecting an adult dog to easily adapt to spending time in a crate.
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Replace the items that your dog is currently chewing with items that are appropriate for him to chew and encourage him to chew the appropriate ones. Dogs must be taught what they can and can't chew.
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Exit as meekly as possible. When you have to leave your home and will not be taking your dog, the more dramatic your exit, the more stress your dog will be under. Stress is a main cause of chewing, so try to escape quietly.
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Give your dog lots of options. If your dog has plenty of toys and chews to amuse himself when he is alone, he will not be as bored while he awaits your return; he will have less reason and/or need to chew.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider dog obedience classes, if all else fails.
Punishing your dog for chewing can cause anxiety, which will likely result in him chewing even more.
