What to Do With a Chewing Dog
Terry Zinndell | November 8, 2009The jaw muscles of a dog are some of the strongest muscles in the animal kingdom. The Golden retriever, which is just average sized can strip and tear apart a thick Rawhide bone in just a couple of minutes. And that is why it is a pity that they can treat furniture the same way.
The chewing tendency of a dog is going to depend upon his breed and that is why a knowledgeable owner needs to know about the behavior patterns of his dog. However, chewing every object which is present in the house is a normal tendency in every existing dog breed. That is the reason why one has to focus the dog’s attention on some other object upon which they can chew. But that is quite a difficult thing to do with some dogs.
There are younger dogs (mostly puppies) that will have a greater tendency to chew with less discrimination regarding what they choose. However, even young puppies can be discouraged from grabbing things their owners would prefer the dogs stayed away from.
Foremost, it is important to point out that a little prevention can help avoid a number of problems. That is why it is wise to keep shoes, laundry and other items where dogs will be unable to gain access to them. Keeping children’s toys separated from the dog’s toys so mix ups do not occur is a good idea.
A large number of attractive toys should be placed both inside and outside the house, so that the dog has plenty of opportunity to chew them. Some species like hard rubber bones, while others prefer rawhide bones or plastic bones. It is not advisable to give many types of real bones to dogs because they can splinter easily and cause injury to the pet.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of toys made especially for dogs and some of them have treats in hollow interiors. A dog needs to work really hard to get to the treat and not only is it going to have a good physical and mental workout, but it is going to get a treat reward at the end of the activity.
It also does not hurt to take a firm tone with the dog when it grabs an unsuitable object such as socks or shoes. However, it is extremely unwise to yell or deliver hard physical punishment. Rather than yell, you will need to vent your frustrations elsewhere. Yes, this can be easier said than done but it must be followed in order to maintain the harmony of the owner/pet relationship.
The development of specific habits can be done by leashing the dog. Then an unsuitable object has to be placed near the dog. The moment, the dog approaches it, the leash should be jerked sideways, and No said very firmly.
Always be sure to jerk sideways and never back. A dog’s neck muscles are very strong, but the dog’s throat can be easily bruised. Remember, the pulling movement is to inform and definitely not to punish.
A dog may have the tendency of chewing objects found outside like fences, chairs, plants and other items. Such behavior can be contained by coating homemade mixtures like cayenne pepper, upon the surfaces which the dog likes to chew. Some commercial products also have bitter apple, which discourages the dog from chewing any surface.
As with all dog training, patience, persistence and consistency will be the primary factors which contribute to success. To suppress chewing, one must be up to the complex challenge since you are training the dog to not perform a behavioral pattern as opposed to learning a new one.
The easiest way to do this is to keep vigilant and calm and redirect the dog’s attention to objects which it can chew, so that it can follow its instincts. The purpose of the exercise is to keep your relationship with your pet happy, instead of losing your temper.
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