Let's talk about how to stop dog chewing, or at least how to redirect your super chewer to something else.
Your dog chews up your shoes, dollar bills, cardboard, the furniture... Anything they can get their teeth on, besides the toys you bought them.
Buy lots of bully sticks for dogs, an indestructible dog bed, and the best dog toys. Use the distract method to teach your dog what's good to chew and what isn't.
First Things First: All Dogs Chew
Dogs need to chew. They need the best dog chew toys, a chew proof dog bed, etc.
Make sure you:
- Have plenty of chew toys in a wide variety so your dog doesn't get bored. If you don’t have chewable dog toys, you will find your dog chewing your things instead… Here are some chew toys like bully sticks and super chewer toys by Barkbox.
- Give your dog a designated dog toy spot that they can easily get to. It could be a dog toy box, their bed, or just a spot on the floor. Having a spot gives your dog the ability to associate chewing with one spot… And therefore not with that spot by your designer shoes.
- Please don't punish your dog. As with all training on this site, I do not condone spanking or hitting your dog. Hitting your dog will only teach them that you're scary and not to be trusted. It will not correct the behavior. If it appears to be correcting it, it's out of fear, not obedience.
Products Mentioned in this Article
SenYoung Dog Toys,
12-Pack
Grannick S Bitter Apple Spray, 16 Ounces
The best option is to reward your dog when they chew on the right thing, and verbally reprimand and distract when they chew on the wrong thing.
How do you distract your dog? Easy!
How to Distract and Redirect Your Super Chewer
- Next time your dog goes to chew on something, clap and loudly say “NO!” This gives you a non-violent but impulsive action to take when your dog does something wrong.
- Next, grab one of their chew toys and play, coo, and try to get your dog’s attention.
- Your dog will likely come running for you, take the chew toy, and go to town -- this is your cue to praise, praise, praise.
- If your dog doesn't come running, approach them and try to trade. If they drop the current item and take the toy, praise!
- If your dog doesn't accept the trade, you need a higher-value item like a treat or piece of ham! Get it and then repeat step 4.
The initial shock of you making a loud noise (clapping) and saying ‘no’, coupled with the new, alluring toy or treat should be enough to break the hold.
You can also use something like a taste deterrent. They don't work for all dogs, but may be worth trying. Spray it on the areas your pup tends to chew. Careful with fabrics -- test it on a small area first.
Hope this short article was helpful!
Our pets are a responsibility, not a privilege. We have to give them the best lives possible, if only to pay them back for all the wonder they give us.