I want to know how to get our 11 and a half month old dog to stop chewing everything. He will chew anything he can get his mouth on. We have lost thousands of dollars worth of stuff. He is a Bichon shihtzu cross.
Before we domesticated dogs, they had jobs. In fact, many of today's breeds were bred to do specific work. So dogs get bored when they don't have enough to do, not to mention, chewing is just something dogs do.
With all that in mind, the best thing to do is to get your dog several Nylabones or Kong toys. Many Kong toys have a hole in the middle for kibble or treats to be placed inside. The dog has to "work" to get the kibble free. Several trainers whose work I've read about suggest giving a dog all of their kibble for the day in 3 or 4 Kong toys. They love this! Something to keep them occupied and feed them at the same time. We have to remember that dogs used to have to work to eat, now they only have to go to a food bowl. There's nothing wrong with the way we feed our dogs, but if he's chewing everything in sight, Kong toys are worth the initial investment.
After you have bought your Kongs, anytime he chews on other things you can substitute what you'd like to keep with the Kong.
One other thing, Kong toys are kind of pricey, but so is having to buy another pair of shoes because the dog chewed up another one. Its far more cost effective to budget in a Kong toy a week for several weeks than to have to replace all that a bored dog will tear up. Hope this helps.
I read that dogs who are compulsive chewers are bored and need an outlet to spend their energy and attention on. Giving the dog long walks, a lot of play or another pet to entertain helped ours. We had one dog and after he chewed up a number of items, we got another dog and the chewing ended. His attention focused on the other dog and playing. The second dog did not have any destructive chewing problems. Good luck!
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Request: Dog Chews Everything (10/30/2009)
I rescued a stray dog, we really love him, but he chews everything in sight. Need help to cure this so we can keep him.
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Request: Dog Chews Everything
Archived on 10/30/2009
I rescued a stray dog, we really love him, but he chews everything in sight. Need help to cure this so we can keep him.
Elizabeth in FL
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RE: Dog Chews Everything
Get him a variety of good things to chew. There is a line of dog bones called Nyla-bones that come in different flavors and hardness. Every time he is caught chewing the wrong thing, take the bad thing and replace it with a dog bone to chew. He'll learn that he can only chew certain items that way. You just have to train him to chew the things you want. Dogs chew.
You shouldn't try to stop that behavior entirely. Just praise him when he chews his dog toys and bones. And say "no" when he chews the wrong things. He'll catch on fast. I promise he will love Nyla-bones. You can find them at any pet supermarket. (08/20/2009)
Go to the local Farm and Fleet store, or Feed store and buy some Bitter Yuk, or a product like it. You can put it on your furniture and it will not stain it. Keep it away from the dogs toys and eventually he/she will not attempt to chew on anything, but what you give him. It will only take a small amount after the first few doses. Just catch the dog chewing something, spray it and let the dog go back to chewing. You will be surprised at how quickly the dog will break itself. Also works great if the dog gets an infection or mites, is skin safe. (08/20/2009)
Has your dog got a crate to go in when you are out? I have 2 staffs that share a crate when we are not there and they have never chewed and love their bed. (09/08/2009)
