Chewing

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Whether it’s a puppy experiencing the “teething” stage, or an adult dog using chewing as an outlet for anxiety; chewing is an undesirable behaviour many new pet parents experience. In this article we’ll cover some background on chewing and tips to help curb those behaviours. 

Puppies & Chewing

When your puppy starts teething- you’ll know! He will probably start to try and eat anything and everything in sight to try and rid himself of the pain in his gums. This is the perfect time  to teach your dog what is and isn’t appropriate to chew.

Always have a lot of chew toys on hand to re-direct your dog when they start chewing on the wrong thing. Some easy solutions are soaking old dish towel strips in water and freezing them or giving your dog ice cubes to chase and eat. The cold temperature will help sooth your puppy’s gums and take down some of the swelling. You can also purchase specific toys meant to frozen such as the PetStages Worm.

When you’re relaxing at home with your puppy, make sure to teach them to play with their toys and to seek them out when they are bored. Always praise your puppy every time you see them chewing on the right thing.

Types of chew toys

Edible Chew Treats – Always supervise your dog when giving them a treat!

Destructive Chewing

Dogs can turn to chewing as a way to let off frustration or anxiety. Chewing can happen when your dog isn’t exercised enough mentally or physically, or when something is stressing them out. Bored dog will look for a way to entertain themselves, and chewing is often the easiest thing to do. To prevent your dog from chewing out of boredom, provide him with options such as Nylabones, stuffed Kongs, treat puzzles, dental treats or other chew toys. You can also purchase dog-friendly sprays such as Bitter Apple to spray on furniture to dissuade chewing. Be sure to check the bottle of anything you spray to ensure that it is pet safe. You can also use natural flavours such as vinegar or tabasco sauce as a way to coat leashes and collars to prevent chewing, though some dogs love the taste!

The best way to prevent something from being chewed and destroyed is to put it away! Having a dog is like having a baby- you need to go through your home with a fine tooth comb and “puppy proof” everything you find. Some dogs even get creative and will munch on cardboard boxes or paper- which can be problematic if they eat your phone bill!

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