How to stop your dog from chewing things up

Is your dog chewing things up? Now, you might wonder if this is destructive behavior. It all depends on what exactly it is that your dogs are chewing. You can rather make sure to give them something that’s okay to chew. 

Chewing things might be dangerous. A lot of objects can present choking hazards, cause gastrointestinal blockages, or break into sharp pieces that can hurt your dog’s insides. Although that is the case, you shouldn’t stop your dog from chewing entirely.

It’s important for puppies to chew on things as it is an important part of the teething process. The only reason adult dogs chew is for fun or to relieve boredom. It might also be a sign of displacement behavior–a way to release pent-up energy or stress.

You have to make sure your dog chews only on appropriate things to keep them, and your belongings, safe.  We have put together a few things you can do to stop your dog from chewing the wrong things up.

Give your dog a safe toy to chew on instead

If your dog attempts to chew on inappropriate items while you are in the house, it’s important that you simply interrupt the wrong behavior. Show them a toy which are appropriate to chew on like dog-safe treat or stuffed toy covered with peanut butter. This may help your dog to stick with the toy instead of other objects.

Some dogs have certain times of day when they are more likely to chew, you can track their behavior to know what time of day you should give your dog an appropriate chewie.

Dog-proof your home

You need to manage the environment your dog lives in. As with any type of behavior, this plays a big part in it. You may be familiar with the term “dog proofing” your home. This means that as a dog owner and parent, you need to learn to do certain things from your end to make sure your home is safe for your dog.

Look around your home for any unsafe items that might be in your dog’s reach. Every time you plan to leave your dog alone, make sure they have a safe space to stay where they can’t find inappropriate or unsafe objects to chew on.

Use bad-tasting repellents and sprays

Something else you can do is to keep your dogs away from items by using impersonal correction, preferably where the “environment” does the correcting. What does this mean? This means you can spray items with Bitter Apple spray for example or another dog repellent to keep your dog away. These items taste and smell unappealing.

Give them enough exercise

Exercise may be one of the most important things for dogs. Not getting enough exercise can lead to inappropriate chewing or other destructive behaviors. Remember, a tired dog will be less likely to have the energy to cause any problems. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. It will go a long way in reducing boredom, anxiety, and attention-seeking behavior.

Make a vet appointment

Very rarely, chewing or tearing things up can be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as separation anxiety. Dogs can start feeling extremely anxious when left alone without their humans for long periods of time. If there is any part of you suspecting separation anxiety, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Treatments for separation anxiety can include changes in diet and exercise, training, medication, or a combination of therapies. When you know what the cause of the problem is, It’s curable. There may be other medical conditions that can cause dogs to feel compelled to chew, but your vet will diagnose your dog’s condition, prescribe treatment, and give advice about correcting unwanted behaviors.

Always be a gentle dog owner

There are a lot of training books that are on the market which you can read to get some advice on methods for stopping destructive behavior. It’s important to get physical with your dog. This will not resolve the issue.

There are many ways and explanations for our pets’ behaviors. Just always remember to treat your dog with love and care. There’s always a solution!