Many dog owners are familiar with the situation when, upon returning home, it becomes clear that the home has undergone some changes: the wallpaper is torn, the upholstery is destroyed, the shoes are missing soles, and in the midst of all this chaos sits a four-legged family friend. Before scolding him, you need to find out the reason for this behavior and think about how to stop the dog from chewing everything.
Every owner faces the problem of a pet destroying things, but it is important to correct the animal’s behavior in time.
Why does a dog chew on everything in the absence of its owners?
Any household items chewed by a pet do not give the dog owner pleasant emotions and often provoke a negative reaction to the dog’s behavior. Naturally, the question arises of how to stop a dog from chewing things. Most often, this behavior of an animal is due to the fact that a person himself creates situations in which it destroys all things that come in its way, which is why it is so important to identify a possible cause.
If the dog chews things, and the owner cannot stop such an act, it is better to contact a dog handler
The main reasons for this behavior and why it is dangerous
Among the main reasons are the following:
- The animal studies the world around it. Most often, puppies choose this method of learning before they reach three months of age. They lick and bite objects, trying to understand what they are and what they taste like. Such an act poses a danger to the pet’s health, because if it chews small objects, then it can swallow small particles and, thus, block its access to oxygen.
- Your pet is teething. Many owners are interested in the question of how old puppies chew everything. At the age of 4-7 months, babies lose their baby teeth, which causes them discomfort, resulting in a strong desire to scratch their gums. That is why any things that they see nearby inevitably fall into their mouths. In this case, it is pointless to scold your four-legged friend, because he cannot control his natural needs. In this case, there is only one way out - to remove all things and offer him toys.
- The dog has worms or stomach pain. In the warm season, pets eat plants and burp them, cleansing their stomach. In cold weather, the problem is also relevant, but there are no ways to solve it, so pets are looking for a way to satisfy their natural needs. They chew on objects containing cellulose. Therefore, it is so important to carry out preventive measures aimed at treating worms.
- Weak microflora. Puppies suckle their mother's colostrum, which is rich in vitamins and probiotics. With early weaning or after an illness, the microflora of babies weakens, but the sucking reflex remains, which is why they feel the need to chew and swallow objects.
- Avitaminosis. The lack of nutrients forces the dog to look for ways to replenish them, so many owners may notice their pets’ special preferences. For example, the dog begins to lick whitewash, eat soil and pick up food waste. There is only one way out - adding vitamins and minerals to the diet.
- The animal is bored. Being alone, out of boredom, the dog begins to misbehave and destroy the owner’s things. To prevent such addiction, the dog must be provided with toys.
Important! The dog understands well the cause-and-effect relationship between his behavior and the owner’s reaction to it, so he understands that he can avoid punishment if he does not touch prohibited objects.
Why do dogs chew?
Do you scold your dog for chewing things?
Yes
85%
Not always
11.79%
No
3.21%
Puppies and adult dogs can chew furniture or things in the absence of the owner for the following reasons:
- Knowledge of the world. A small puppy is the same as a child. He touches everything and finds out what things are made of. But this can only be done with teeth.
- Teething. The change from milk units to permanent ones occurs from 4 to 8 months. The gums become swollen, sore, and itchy. And the only way to scratch them is to chew something hard. Whatever comes under the paw, the puppy gnaws.
- Boredom. Left at home alone, the dog gets bored. She has no one to play with or communicate with. Therefore, the dog comes up with activities for himself that are not always to the liking of his owners. He can spoil things, chew off linoleum, test the strength of a sofa or carpet.
- Lack of communication and physical activity. If you don’t do much with an animal, it will have unspent energy. The pet begins to play dirty tricks. Plus, in this way he is trying to attract attention.
- Fear of loneliness. Serious behavioral problem. Dogs follow their owners with their tails, but they do not teach them to be left alone. As a result, a person becomes the center of the universe for a pet - he does not know how to occupy himself, and begins to damage walls, furniture and things.
- Stress. Moving, changing owners, and separation take a heavy toll on the dog’s psyche. He will cope with the stress as best he can: howl, run away, tear wallpaper, destroy things. Dogs that come from a shelter often behave this way.
- Health problems. If a well-mannered dog suddenly starts playing pranks, happily eating leather items, gnawing wallpaper and walls, chewing inedible objects (whitewash, paint, toilet paper, wood, soil) - he is checked for possible pathologies. A sharp change in behavior is provoked by intestinal parasites, vitamin deficiency, diseases of the teeth and gums. Sometimes pregnant bitches exhibit such bad habits.
Preventative measures that can be taken
Preventive measures depend on the reason for the dog’s actions, its age and character. For a good result, it is recommended to use several measures aimed at stopping prohibited behavior.
Remove all things
It is necessary to remove objects of value from the dog’s field of vision:
- Place items in the closet that are on the lower shelves of the shelves, which the dog can reach or knock them down with his tail during the game.
- Use skirting boards or carpets to cover the wires.
- Put the shoes in boxes and put them in the closet.
It is necessary to remove not only expensive items from the dog’s field of vision, but also voltage cables
Buy toothpicks
During the teething period, the puppy will definitely chew on foreign objects if there is no alternative. He needs to purchase special toys with which he can scratch his gums and grind his teeth. A wide variety of such toys are available in pet stores.
Movement restrictions
If a puppy under the age of 6 months, unattended by the owner, begins to chew things, he can be locked in an enclosure or in a separate room, provided with toys and food. If this method does not help, a collar and leash can be an alternative, but you cannot tie your pet and leave it alone for a long time.
Caught - punished
Some pets are willful and ignore toys, preferring the owner's things to them. Such disobedient dogs are dealt with more harshly, but without using physical force. At the moment of committing hooliganism, it is enough to say “Ugh” to the dog and take away the object. As a punishment for such an act, it must be ignored for about 20 minutes. Dogs are smart, and they understand that such behavior of the owner is a manifestation of dissatisfaction as a result of their action.
Make things less interesting
In this case, it is worth treating all items with dog repellent spray and starting with the wires. As an alternative, you can use home remedies with a distinctive scent.
Treating objects will help stop your dog from chewing them.
Borrow an animal
To discourage your pet from destroying household items, you should give him a good workout. This method only works if your four-legged friend chews things out of boredom. The best solution would be a walk, and both the street and the dog park are suitable for it. The walk should be accompanied by physical exercise.
Important! If your pet does not show interest in toys from the pet store, you can lubricate them with something tasty or pleasantly smelling, which will certainly attract attention.
How to deal with a bad habit, methods of behavior correction
When the owner understands the reason for the negative behavior of his four-legged friend, he can begin to act to correct the pet’s behavior.
To correct the situation, it is not enough to purchase new toys in large quantities. It is important to arouse interest in them, and for this it is worth provoking the hunting instinct. So, you can throw a toy or tie it with a thread and create the illusion that it is “running away” from the animal. The toy can also be hidden and forced to be searched for.
If all these methods do not help, then you should pay attention to special and folk remedies designed to eradicate the problem.
Weaning a dog using special and folk remedies
Folk and special remedies will help eradicate the pet’s habit of spoiling the owner’s things.
To wean the animal from gnawing things, dog handlers recommend using systematic punishment or methods of distraction. Most dogs understand that it is better to chew on objects when the owners are absent, so that punishment does not follow, so the owner should have the opposite task - to teach the pet to chew only those objects that are intended specifically for him.
The solution is to use special tools. So, you can process all the things that arouse the animal’s interest using such means as:
- "Anti-gryzin." This drug is of domestic origin, but, according to some owners, it is ineffective.
- "Beaphar Stop It."
- Balm “Star”.
Important! Most owners prefer to use the “Zvezdochka” balm, since it is sold in pharmacies at an affordable price and really helps solve the problem of damage to things.
As folk remedies, substances are used that have a bitter taste and cause a feeling of bitterness in the mouth. They are quite effective because the pet feels an unpleasant taste and begins to realize that such a thing cannot be touched. Black or red pepper is used as such additives, although the owners’ imagination is limitless, and pharmaceutical gels with the smell of menthol, treatment with vinegar, and essential oils are often used.
When processing things, there is one rule - it is strictly forbidden to use them to protect electricity cables, because in this case the house or apartment becomes a dangerous place to live.
Important! If your pet chews on things only when its owners are away, you can create the effect of people being present, for example, by leaving the radio or TV on.
If no methods work on the pet, then it must be limited in mobility.
A puppy or dog chews everything, how to stop it?
- In the apartment, the puppy is wearing a collar with a leash attached to it.
For some reason, everyone thinks this is crazy, but when they try this technique, 90 percent of the problems evaporate.
Take an old leash, cut off the handle so that it does not catch on objects, and attach it to the dog’s collar so that it can drag behind her without interference. Why do this? The leash becomes your puppy's remote control. With it, you won’t have to try to catch a restless four-legged body every time and it will be easier to stop attempts to grab something in its mouth and chew it. Now do you understand why this is rule number one?
- Walk your dog outside on a leash
Although this rule applies more to training a pet, it also helps in weaning it from chewing unidentified foreign objects.
- For the time during which you do not supervise the puppy, you put him in a crate (for example, a kennel or any other enclosed space)
Think of the crate as your pet's home. This is the safest place for him, in which he will not harm himself or spoil things. Some people think this is a way to punish the dog, but honestly, dogs are den animals and wouldn't mind purchasing one for some relaxation and privacy.
How to Introduce a Dog to a Newborn?
And even if the dog does not like to stay alone in such a den, it is still better to return home to a friend who is bored in the enclosure than to find chewed things, become upset and even angry with him.
Just remember that dogs are not birds! The box is a temporary, not permanent, place for them to stay.
So, by following the three rules listed above, you can completely cope with the problem.
But the most important thing is that the dog owner should simply pay attention to the dog!
If your dog chews things, you yourself can prevent this disgrace. How? Yes, you should always keep one eye on him. Have you ever noticed how quickly a puppy manages to put something in its mouth?
- Provide a warm atmosphere in your home
It’s surprising that when you start asking owners who complain about chewed things what toys the puppy has, they answer “I don’t know” or “well, he has something like a rubber bone, but he doesn’t like it.” And then they still wonder why the puppy chews children’s toys or shoes.
The dog should have enough toys, and the more he likes to chew, the more you buy those that are designed for this.
For example, if the dog did not have an excessive craving for gnawing, then 2-3 bones will be enough for it. If the dog even sleeps with it in his mouth, then you should stock up with a bucket of them, no less. And even in it she will rummage and look only for “that same bone.”
The seeds can be hollow or filled. A surprise toy is good entertainment for your pet if you leave him alone, but be careful about allergic reactions. You can make the filling yourself if you know your pet’s preferences. If the puppy sees and smells the treat deep in the bone, it will take several hours to try to get it out. The filling (sausage or cheese) can be frozen, which is especially soothing and cooling when your puppy is teething.
Winter clothes for your beloved dog
A good option for keeping your dog occupied is a puzzle toy. The more aggressive the dog, the stronger the material from which the toy is made should be. If the dog is delicate and takes care of them, then soft toys are suitable.
However, for those who can tear a toy in two, a puzzle game made of wood and plastic is more suitable. (However, even strong toys can break over time under the pressure of a dog’s teeth.) Puzzle toys also develop the puppy’s mental abilities.
Remember that you don’t need to leave your dog with toys for a long time. The dog must understand that its task is to receive an internal surprise (from which there will be more pleasure), and not to endlessly gnaw at its owner.
- Exercise is important for your puppy
What to do if the reason is related to a health condition
Sometimes, animals suffering from illnesses chew things. This behavior should not be regarded as hooliganism, but the source of the problem should be looked for. You can't do this without the help of a veterinarian.
If your dog has a health problem that causes it to destroy objects, you should consult a veterinarian
When to go to the clinic
If the owner has taken all measures to stop the pet’s unacceptable behavior, but it again and again causes damage to property, it must be shown to a veterinarian. The specialist will conduct a thorough examination, take samples and take measures to identify the problem.
If during the study it is determined that the dog is completely healthy, the canine specialist will be able to give advice that will help correct its behavior, or advise you to contact a zoopsychologist.
An experienced doctor will conduct an examination, prescribe treatment, and when the disease is eliminated, the dog itself will give up this habit.
What to do if your dog chews everything
Games for dogs
The most important thing you can do to stop your dog from biting or chewing everything is to have plenty of toys specifically designed for chewing. Dogs love to chew. It is easier to teach them to chew their toys rather than chew anything else.
Also have one of the hand games, so if the dog gets the urge to chew on something, you can replace that thing with a fake bone, for example!
Don't punish
No matter how unhappy you may be that your dog chewed your new shoes or table leg, it doesn't matter in this case, don't punish him verbally or in any other way.
In fact, punishing your dog will increase your stress and anxiety levels, which in turn will increase your dog's need to bite and chew. Consequently, punishing the dog does not solve the problem, on the contrary, it strengthens it.
Surveillance and "safe zone"
Let's make one thing clear. If you are unable to control your dog, make sure that you do not leave anything that can be chewed or chewed. If you can't restrict her movements, such as when you're out of the house or you can't control what she does.
For this reason, you will need to create a “safe zone” for him, that is, an area where the dog can feel comfortable and cannot bite anything, since you have previously removed what you want that he did not touch.
This is the area where you will obviously leave your play, which could be chew toys, skin bones, and other things that he can chew on safely without ruining anything.
Positive reinforcement
When you have time for it, or when you are at home and you can control it, leave the dog to roam where he pleases.
When you see your dog about to chew or bite something, pick up a bone and give him the “Come” command instead of the “Sit” command.
When the dog comes to you and takes a bone to chew, you can give it a prize. So you're implying that you should only chew your toys and not anything within your mouth's reach.
Here's a solution for a dog who chews everything.
- If you see your dog chewing or gnawing on something, don't use a "sit" or "down" command to stop the action.
- Lure her with a toy
- Reward her when she picks up a toy and starts chewing (positive reinforcement)
Of course, this will not happen right away. But with patience, dedication and persistence (following these tips) your dog will learn what he can and cannot bite or chew!
Repellent spray
There is such advice - the use of repellent sprays. These sprays have a very unpleasant odor to dogs, so spraying them on surfaces or objects that dogs commonly bite should keep your dog away.
Unlike the method described above, these sprays address short-term problems rather than actually training the dog to understand that it is okay to bite and chew only its toys.
For example, if the spray is sprayed on the legs of a table, the dog will not touch it, but perhaps chew the curtains or your shoes, I think so. If you decide to use a spray, then do not use chemical aerosols, in case your dog finds them “tasty”!
After all, these sprays can only solve the problem for now. It’s better to take your time and patiently teach her to do everything right!
Research, prevention and regulations
One of the reasons why dogs bite is of course their feeling of intrusion, threat or fear. Their instinct tells them to bite to protect themselves.
In order to avoid unpleasant incidents, especially in relation to children, it is necessary to train both the dog (basic commands and communication) and the people with whom it will communicate.
The basic rule is that all family members must have respect for animals.
The second important rule is that every person must know the commands that the dog has learned.
Attention, children!
We are talking separately about very young children who cannot yet understand the teaching and, as a rule, see the dog as an object of their play and believe that anything can be done.
Children often have a tendency to fixate on people or things that are of interest to them. And the same can be done with a dog. For example, a dog looking him in the eyes for a long time can be interpreted by the dog as an attitude of defiance.
Or children may grab or pull on the dog's fur or other parts of the dog's body, which can lead to self-defense biting.
And to teach your children (or children who interact with a dog) well, you must behave yourself by following some fair rules to avoid unpleasant situations.
What methods don't work?
Punishing a pet a few hours after it has ruined something is considered an absolutely futile exercise. A smart dog, knowing that its behavior will not cause approval, tries to hide from its owner, but individuals with low intelligence joyfully rush to meet him, as if nothing had happened. If you punish a dog at such a moment, he will not understand that he is being punished for a spoiled thing, but most likely will believe that this is happening because he is showing his love.
The complete absence of punishment, when the owners let everything take its course, is categorically harmful. The pet must clearly understand that touching the owner’s things is prohibited.
Important! An ill-mannered dog is like a time bomb, because sooner or later furniture and shoes will be replaced by expensive things or, for example, cash or important documentation.
It is also worth considering the physiology of the animal. If your pet is teething, he will chew everything that comes in his way. Punishment in this case is useless; it is better to simply remove all objects.
Physical punishment is also ineffective, especially for small breeds, because it only leads to resentment, fear, and a desire for revenge. In addition, the animal may begin to bite in order to protect itself. Most likely, such a pet will simply destroy objects over and over again out of spite.
Temporarily ignoring the dog is a good way to achieve the desired result.
