Stopping Your Puppy Chewing Secrets

You may be pulling your hair out because your cute new puppy is chewing your house and possessions to bits. You may have now gathered that your little puppy can create a huge amount of damage, from picking at your carpet and scratching doors and floors, to chewing your brand new pair of very expensive shoes. What you need to know is the reason for your puppy's chewing.

Chewing is a natural and healthy activity for a puppy. It is only destructive chewing that should be stopped. The aim of this article is to illustrate the main reasons for chewing, then to give you advice on how to stop this.

There are various reasons why your puppy is chewing your house to bits. The ones covered below include teething, boredom and separation anxiety.

Teething
At about 3-4 weeks your puppy’s teeth start to emerge. By 16 weeks they will start to fall out when the first permanent teeth start to come through. Their gums may become sore and this is when they will start to chew in order to soothe them.

Boredom
Young puppies are particularly prone to becoming bored. You need to provide them with stimulating activities and exercise. If left alone for too long, your puppy may easily become bored and could then turn to a destructive behavior such as chewing.

Stress and separation anxiety
Your puppy may start chewing in order to relieve his stress and separation anxiety especially if he is left alone too long.

Once you know what the reasons for your puppy’s destructive chewing, it will help you to take remedial action. Here are some tips to help you stop inappropriate chewing.

• You could start by making a few specific toys available. Make sure that they are different in texture, taste and shape and are sturdy so your puppy does not become bored too quickly.
• By playing regularly with your dog with the toys, they are more likely to play with them when left alone because of positive associations.
• Put any items of value out of reach. Try spraying your furniture or unmovable objects with an anti-spray deterrent like Listerine. You puppy will dislike the taste and will stop them from chewing.
• Do not leave your puppy on his own for long periods in the beginning. Start off with a short 10 minute period and gradually build up to longer absences.
• If you are away for a period of time or cannot watch your puppy, you could confine them either in a pen or crate.
• It is important to praise your puppy when you see him chewing appropriate items. This establishes the desired behavior through positive reinforcement. On the other hand if you see your puppy chew on something he shouldn’t, say something like “no” or “stop” in a stern voice. Do this without fail whenever it happens.

Now that you understand the reasons for your puppy’s chewing, you should be able apply the necessary remedial course of action. It is very important to reward correct behavior and to consistently teach your puppy what he is allowed to chew and what he is not allowed to chew.

Check out these links to read more about stopping your puppy chewing, separation anxiety in dogs and boredom in dogs.