How To Deal With Your Dog's Destructive Chewing Behavior

Dogs are one of the most loved pet animals in the world. People choose from the wide variety of breeds available and bring home a furry friend for themselves. As they grow, the dogs show different behaviors. You must have witnessed your furry friend chew on many objects. Sometimes, it is only restricted to their toys, while many times, it may turn into destructive chewing behavior.

In such situations, dogs chew over anything and everything they find near them. It can result from stress, separation anxiety, and early weaning. This article mentions some ideas to help you reduce and manage the destructive chewing behavior of your dog.

Dog proof the house

When you know your dog chews things, you should dog-proof your home by putting the valuable objects away. Keep the trash inside a cupboard and things like the remote, cushion, shoes, and socks out from the dog's reach. You can also use deterrent sprays on objects to keep your dog away from them.

Provide them edible things to chew.

One of the best ways to manage destructive chewing behavior is to offer them edible things to chew on. Many dog parents have suggested using yak chews for dogs to help them relax and cope with destructive behavior. Giving them natural things to chew also helps in reducing their aggression and anxiety. Studies have shown that dogs get hooked to these chews and rarely pick on other things for chewing.

Leave them in a confined area

When you can not supervise your furry babies, you must confine them in a room or dog house with a baby gate. Ensure you provide enough toys and chewable items to keep them busy throughout the day. Limiting the dogs can also result in aggressive behavior; therefore, it is important to give them enough exercise and spend quality time when not confined. It is crucial to make the dog feel you are not punishing them, but it is a part of the routine.

Ensure mental and physical stimulation

When you leave your dog alone for more than a certain period, you must ensure they have mental and physical stimulation. Take them out on walks, train them using different methods, and let them exercise enough to stimulate their minds fully. You've got to understand that your dogs see you as their world; leaving them alone negatively affects their mental health. You must ensure that your dog is trained well to tackle separation anxiety.

Do not offer similar things to chew

When you bring toys for your dog, ensure they are of different sizes and shapes. They must not be similar to things you do not want them to chew on, such as shoes, socks, remote, and more. You can not expect your dog to differentiate between a toy and a real object.

Catch them during the act

It is vital to catch them during the act to apply discipline correctly. The main reason behind this is that if you punish your dog after an hour of doing the play, the furry friends won't be able to relate to it. So, when you catch them chewing something they should not be, you should stop with a command and give them something they can chew. When your dog starts to chew the toy, praise them with positive reinforcement.

Final thoughts

Being a dog parent is difficult; you must stay active and understand the dog's behaviors. You can only offer the best help and coping mechanism if you know what triggers their behavior.