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Dogs love to chew. Some do it because they simply like it; others because they are bored. Maybe the dog is going through separation anxiety, or maybe she was given the wrong thing to chew.
This behavior is called destructive chewing, that is, when the dog chews on inappropriate things like your household items, furniture, and other things you do not want her to get her jaws on. This is common dog behavior, but chewing is not unchangeable and with a little dog training and behavior modification, it can be avoided.
Reasons for Dog Chewing Behavior
First, dog chewing is a natural desire. Chewing allows the dog to pass the time, and it is fun. If what the dog is chewing on tastes good, it also becomes a self-rewarding and self-reinforcing activity for them.
A bored dog will certainly look for something to do. What better outlet for her loneliness, boredom, or separation anxiety than chewing? Chewing can also be an outlet for under-exercised dogs. It is their way of burning up nervous energy, and of giving themselves something to do.
How to Prevent Destructive Chewing
1. Manage your possessions. This means dog-proofing your home by keeping your things where your dogs cannot reach them. Make sure your dog cannot get to your eyeglasses, remote control, mobile phone, or anything else you do not want destroyed. Hide the food in the fridge or pantry.
2. Do not teach the dog to start that bad dog behavior.
> If the dog learns that chewing on a shoe or any forbidden item is pleasurable, she will go for it again later on. Prevent destructive dog behavior from starting until she learns what the rules are, by keeping her in a dog-proofed area until you are able to train her enough.
3. Do not confuse the dog. If you give the dog an old, no-longer-used shoe to chew on but reprimand her whenever she chews on a new pair, you will only be confusing her. There is no way for her to know what exactly is allowable and what is not; they are all the same, shoes. If you blur the boundaries, the dog will never learn. You will have to let her know what is considered good dog behavior and what is not.
4. Provide the dog with alternatives.If there is nothing in the house to chew on except for the furniture, expect to find chew marks on your chair legs, never mind that it is forbidden. Get your dog something else for her to focus her jaws on, like chewable toys. Give these toys to her a few at a time and rotate them, so that they will always be interesting to her.
5. Actively supervise her dog behavior training. Do not keep her in the dog-proofed area or out on the lawn forever. Let the dog learn what your expectations are, by letting her into the other parts of the house and teaching her what is appropriate and what is not.
6. Teach the dog to associate specific dog behavior with signs from you. If the dog starts chewing on something inappropriate, call her attention by clapping your hands and speaking in a loud reprimanding tone. Then give her a chewable toy and praise her, (and maybe give her a hug). By calling her attention with visual and sound reactions when she does something, good or bad, she will begin to associate her behavior with yours, and thus change her dog eating behavior faster.
Be patient. Dog behavior modification takes time, but eventually she will learn from experience. If you actively supervise the dog training, the learning curve will be shorter. Remember too, that if your dog is left to herself for a long time and begins to feel bored, she just might go for your stuff instead of hers so do not forget to keep things out of reach.
For more topics on dog training techniques, you will find SitStayFetch a great reference. Problem dog behavior, like destructive chewing, is only one of the many topics covered by this manual for dog ownership. Fast-track your dog training by getting a copy now. Click here for free dog training lessons.
Olivier GLAUDY is a great pet lover whose articles on dog training have helped thousands of dog owners fix their dog behavior problems. For more topics on dog training techniques, you will find his free dog training lessons a valuable resource.