Chewing

All puppies chew. It is what they do naturally. They chew on mum, on each other, and just about anything that fits in their mouth that doesnt taste bad. They explore a new item by putting it in their mouths and taking a good bite into it. Chewing is normal to them. It is we people who view it as bad or destructive.Therefore it is our responsibility to teach our pups what is appropriate to chew, and what is not. 

First of all, supply your puppy with a variety of chew toys. He needs chew toys that outlast his teeth (rubber Kong toys, some nylabones, hard dog bones, etc.), and others that he can really get his teeth into (stuffed toys, rawhides, real sticks, etc.). Add some squeaky toys, balls, tug-o-ropes, and whatever else you think your pup will enjoy that won’t hurt him. Some of the things my dogs thoroughly enjoyed when they were puppies were cardboard boxes, ice cubes, apples, carrots, empty milk cartons, empty ice cream cartons, and just about anything that we would have thrown away. If it wasn’t going to hurt them, we’d let them chew on it for awhile before we threw it out.

Now that you have lots of toys and a good variety, put all of the non-perishable ones in a toy box for your pup. The toy box can be made out of anything; however, expect that it will also be chewed! You must teach your pup how much fun his toy box really is, that it is more fun than shoes, or socks, or table legs. You begin by hiding a favourite toy or a food treat in the middle of the toy box, and then bring him over to the toy box saying Go Look in Your Toy Box! (you are teaching him a command that he will inevitably learn in a few months, as long as you say it consistently and happily.) Start rummaging through the toy box yourself, with your hands, encouraging him to look at (and put in his mouth) things that you pull out. If he starts rummaging himself praise him and be real happy about it. When he finds his favourite toy play with him with it, if he finds a food treat, praise him while he eats it.

Always keep his toy box in an accessible place (you can keep it in your bedroom, but if he chews the legs on the coffee table you may need more than one toy box.) If you want to keep your table legs you’ve got to think more puppy-like! If he chews the coffee table legs, put the toy box by or under the coffee table. You want to make it as easy as possible for him to do good! Which also means, don’t put every toy in his toy box. Depending on the chewing ability of your pup, you may need to strewn out a lot of chew toys and have a reserve in his toy box. Put chewtoys where your dog most often chews inappropriate items. If he chews pillows, have at least 3 different types of chew toys for him to discover before he gets to the pillows.

If he steals shoes from the closet, keep your closet door closed! If you can’t seem to manage closing the door, than put chew toys outside the closet so he’ll find them before the shoes. (Of course, do not use old shoes as chewtoys unless you want your expensive ones chewed up too.) Your pup now knows he has a toy box, he’s got plenty of toys in it, and there are other toys around the house for him to stumble across and chew. Now you get to start teaching. Don’t discipline your dog for chewing something you deem inappropriate after the fact. After all, you weren’t there to tell him it was inappropriate, and it was really good to him! If you find your favourite book torn to shreds, take it as a reminder not to leave it on the floor (or on the table that the pup can reach) next time.

You must catch the pup in the act. So next time you see him running down the hall with your shoe, or chewing anything inappropriate, quickly and in a surprising manner swoop it out of his mouth. The goal is not to hurt him, it is to surprise him. Say No and very quickly replace the inappropriate item with an appropriate chew toy, (another reason why it helps to have them all around the house.) Give him his chew toy and when he takes it say Good Dog ! Give him LOTS of Praise!!! If there is not an appropriate chew toy around, (and/or after he begins understanding a little) you can run him over to his toy box after the No command and say Go Look in your Toy Box! Make it a big game, help him find a good toy and give lots of Praise.

Remember that you are teaching your pup a lesson every time he chews something inappropriate, so always end your teaching lesson with PRAISE. You will have a dog more willing to please you.

PS: The stuff that you paint on kids nails to stop them chewing them, has the same effect on puppies and furniture..