It’s not so much what they chew, it’s just what they chew, right? I know that I have come home at least five times to a completely mutilated and chewed house due to my dog’s chewing problems. You can probably identify yourself. Well that’s over because I finally took the initiative and learned how to stop my dog from chewing. I strongly urge you to do the same too!
After learning on my own how to train my dog, I feel like the least I can do is give some information to the community, so below I have put together some of the top tips that helped me train my puppy to let chewing.
- The first tip is to make it VERY clear that your things are not his. In fact, let your dog know that EVERYTHING is yours and that you are kindly sharing some of your things with him (* his * toys). If your dog can’t distinguish between his belongings and his belongings, then he won’t know what to chew … and he NEEDS to chew!
- If you catch your dog in the act of chewing on something of yours, here is what to do. First, scold him quickly by making a loud noise and pointing at his face. Then remove the item and give him a chew toy. When your dog chews on the chew toy, praise him immediately so he knows that chewing on his toy is the right thing to do. Your dog will always associate that toy with being praised for now!
- Another thing I like to do is have a basket in the corner of my living room full of dog toys. My dog and I know that this is where his toys are kept, and if it’s not in that basket, it’s not his. I also praise him every time he takes a toy from the basket so he knows he’s doing something right (I just wish he could return the toys!)