Reasons for bad behavior
To understand why a dog chews wallpaper, the owner will have to take into account the age, physiological and emotional state of the animal.
If this is a small puppy, there are two main reasons:
- he gets acquainted with the world around him;
- soothes your gums because your teeth are changing.
The little tomboy has a lot of energy, but the dog is alone at home, he’s bored, so he tastes everything without any fear.
And if the puppy was recently adopted by the family, perhaps he is simply scared in an unfamiliar environment. Rubbing and licking wallpaper is his way of relieving stress.
An adult dog has its own reasons for bad behavior:
- Deficiency of nutrients - this is how the animal tries to replenish the missing elements: vitamins, amino acids and minerals.
- Lack of exercise and activity.
- Dogs start licking and tearing wallpaper due to lack of toys.
- You paid little attention to raising your pet and it developed a habit that was not corrected at an early age.
Regardless of age, the desire to tear up wallpaper can be caused by parasites in the body.
Dog and wallpaper
First of all, it’s worth figuring out why this happens, why a dog can tear the paintings on the wall. There can be several reasons for this behavior, here are the most common:
- The dog has developed a habit during its life, it could do this in childhood, and it still practices it now.
- An empty, unfulfilled life, most of which the dog spends at home alone.
- Stress from loneliness and other psychological disorders.
- The presence of a large amount of unspent energy due to irregular walks.
- Dissatisfaction with you, living conditions and the general situation, expressed in the form of torn walls.
- Lack of vitamins and minerals, poor diet.
- Lack of toys, bones, objects that you can chew and do whatever you want with them.
This is the picture you see when you come home from work.
In most cases, the fact is that from a very young age, dogs, like humans, study the world around them. They, like our children, are interested in tasting everything and touching it with their paws. This is where the main problem lies; you cannot allow the dog to enjoy this activity, so that it does not develop into a habit or hobby.
However, banal punishment will not immediately wean the dog off. Of course, he won’t tear up the wallpaper on the wall in your presence, but when he’s left alone, he’ll certainly continue to turn your wallpaper into dust.
Therefore, to solve the problem, it is worth studying the habits of the animal, understanding why it may form such a habit, and then re-educating the pet.
How to stop a puppy from scratching wallpaper
When the puppy has nothing to chew on, wallpaper is used. By going to any pet store, you can easily correct the situation. Buy toys that your pet will appreciate. They come in latex, solid rubber, in the form of thick ropes, they squeak, whistle, jump, and glow.
After purchase, do not give your dog all toys. Alternate them with each other for a week. This way the puppy will remain interested and you will save money.
If you are unable to redirect your dog's attention, try to gradually develop a negative reflex in him. Washable wallpaper can be smeared with something tasteless, for example, lapis, hot pepper, essential oil or citric acid.
Another “folk” effective remedy is a “paste” of Levomycetin tablets with water (crush 10 tablets into powder, add a glass of water). This is a very bitter mixture that will discourage your dog from spoiling the wallpaper the first time.
If you are wary of such methods, then buy a product at the pet store to prevent damage to objects. Most often these are safe sprays. The sprayed substance is felt only by dogs and has a repulsive effect on them.
If none of the “peaceful” methods work, use punishment. Take the puppy by the withers and shake it slightly. There will be no pain (and there shouldn’t be!), but the dog will understand the warning.
What should I do?
So, if your dog tears up wallpaper, what should you do in such cases? One option is to teach your pet to play with certain toys specifically designed for this purpose. You can buy them in almost every pet store.
Note! You can buy several toys at once, in case one of them gets damaged by your dog while playing.
Also, praising your pet is very important. If the dog behaves calmly and does not chew the wallpaper, it is important to praise it for this. This way it will become clear to her that this is the behavior that is encouraged by the owner.
In cases where you regularly leave home for quite a long time, thus parting with your dog, toys will also help. However, it is better to buy here not something ordinary and familiar. The optimal solution may be a toy with a smell. The fact is that often the familiar smell makes the dog chew the toy. This way, instead of damaging wallpaper, furniture or even flooring, your pet will chew on its favorite toy. The walls will remain intact and intact.
Useful video instructions:
At the same time, you should be careful with old shoes or clothes. The point is that you should not let them chew, because in this case the dog will get used to it, and sooner or later, instead of old and unnecessary clothes and shoes, it will switch to those boots and coats that it finds in the hallway or closet.
We make a suggestion
In addition, it is important to understand when exactly you should, so to speak, give your dog a suggestion, and when you should not do this. So, it’s best to “scold” him immediately at the moment when you caught him damaging the wallpaper, sofa or chair upholstery. This way it will become clear to him what exactly you are unhappy with. If you do this after some time, the dog may perceive this as unreasonable aggression on the part of the owner and harbor a grudge.
How to correct the behavior of an adult dog
Adult dogs also miss their owner. Perhaps you are rarely at home, and when you have free time and the opportunity to spend time with your pets, you devote yourself to other things.
Go for long walks, take toys and treats with you. Keep your dog entertained and tired at the same time so that he doesn't have the energy to damage the walls.
All kinds of repellents that can be applied to the wallpaper are also appropriate.
What's happening
Of course, in some cases there is a way out - to make a small one. However, you won’t be able to keep your pet there all the time. In any case, he will spend a significant part of his time walking around the rooms of the apartment. So, in any case, you will have to find a way to stop your dog from tearing wallpaper. Moreover, this applies not only to adults. But often also small puppies.
By the way, in addition to wallpaper, it is not so rare that other things that are abundant inside any apartment can become the object of a dog’s attention:
- Flooring (laminate, linoleum, parquet, etc.)
- Wires from TV, computer and household appliances.
- Furniture items (tables, chair legs, upholstery and beds).
Be that as it may, the problem with the dog gnawing, tearing or tearing certain furnishings and interior items needs to be solved.
Frequent mistakes of owners
Start shaping your dog's habits from childhood. If you felt sorry for your puppy and were afraid to scold your baby for indecent behavior, then you can’t count on an easy-going temperament in an adult animal.
The dog will have a firmly established understanding that chewing wallpaper is not punishable, which means you can continue to enjoy the process.
The owner of the puppy should pay special attention to the consistency of his prohibitions. If yesterday you scolded your pet for damaging a wall, and today, being in a particularly good mood, you decided to “spare” it, know that this method of education will not give the desired results. Be persistent and patient.
The third common mistake is punishing the dog after the fact. This method will not lead to results. The pet will not understand why the owner treated him so rudely. It is extremely important to punish your dog as soon as you catch him tearing at a wall.
The dog destroys the apartment in the absence of the owner
If your dog tears up wallpaper, rips off floor and wall coverings, and does this when he is alone at home, analyze what provokes this behavior. Maybe you don't spend enough time with your dog? Then try to communicate more with your pet, involve him in joint active games.
When leaving home for a long time, you can lock your dog in a separate room or a special cage, which must be taught to it from early childhood.
- Leave your dog toys and chewing bones. The dog will be busy in the absence of the owner and will not be very bored alone.
- Accustom your dog to loneliness gradually. Leave the house for a short time, gradually increasing the time interval.
- When you return, praise your pet for good behavior, give the dog more time and attention.
- Before leaving, give your dog a good walk and food. Walks should be eventful, interesting and active. A tired and well-fed pet will rest peacefully and will not cause harm to the interior.
Prevention is easier than retraining
If you are just getting ready to get a dog, then you have time to prepare for the arrival of a new family member. Buy toys in advance, set up a corner for your pet so that he can immediately focus on his things.
As soon as a pet appears in the house, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a puppy or an adult animal - make an appointment with a veterinarian, get all the tests done, and immediately clarify the picture of its health condition.
When getting a dog, remember that it needs attention. Do not leave her alone for a long time, especially in a completely unfurnished apartment.
Captivated by communication with its owner, the dog constantly feeling care and warmth will not tear off the wallpaper, because he will have no reason to do so.
Other weaning methods
You can stop your puppy from chewing on walls using the effect of surprise. As soon as the puppy approaches the wallpaper and shows interest in other objects, clap your hands and spray the dog with water from a spray bottle. Sharp sounds will scare away your pet and help develop the necessary reflex.
You can lubricate the walls with pepper, lemon juice, mustard, essential oils, the smell of which dogs do not like, or sprays that are sold in pet stores. But do not overdo it and never use household chemicals, as chemicals will cause poisoning.
If an adult dog spoils things, you can use special devices, such as electric collars, ultrasound collars. Before using them, consult a veterinarian or dog handler.
If the dog is emotional and has a flexible psyche, sedatives and sedatives, which should be prescribed by a veterinarian, will help. Protect your dog from stress, create the most favorable conditions, a comfortable psychological environment.
If no methods help, the dog’s behavior cannot be corrected, contact a dog handler for help. Systematic classes will help instill correct behavioral skills and manners.
Do not put off raising your dog until later, do not allow the puppy to do things that he will not be allowed to do as an adult. Even if you have a representative of a miniature, decorative breed. Little pranks will grow into a destructive force. In addition, weaning adult dogs from improper manners will require more effort, time and patience.
We educate and study problems
Before raising an animal, it is necessary to create normal living conditions for it. This statement includes a normal diet and the mandatory presence of objects that the dog can chew. Buy your dog special toys and bones at the zoological store; they will help divert the animal’s attention from the wallpaper to personal objects. A dog will inevitably chew something, this is his physiology, so it is better for him to chew things specially designed for this.
Provide your dog with items intended for teeth, and let him chew to his heart's content. Show the dog that he is doing everything right and is not breaking any laws. If in the future the dog pays attention to these objects, chews them, tears them, praise the animal, reward it with treats.
A good helper during unplanned repairs
Vitamins and minerals
If you notice that the dog is more interested not in the wallpaper itself, but in the plaster, lime, located under it, then there is a possibility that the food does not have enough nutrients. The dog instinctively senses where it can get the elements it needs in its diet and gets them. Make it easier for her by buying food supplements at the pet store, and don’t forget to show your dog to the veterinarian so you know exactly what vitamins to buy.
Extra energy
If the dog is obviously playing with the wallpaper and continues to tear it up, you can act cunningly, smear the wallpaper with hot mustard, sprinkle with pepper, or use a special colorless composition sold in the same pet store. At the same time, the dog, having run into trouble, will understand that the punishment did not come from you, but from the wallpaper, that you should not touch it, tear it, and then it will not harm it.
But maybe you shouldn’t do this if it seems to you that the animal is simply bored and is playing with the walls out of boredom. Try to be more active on a walk, play with your dog, go for a run, spend more time outside. Having eliminated the sadness, boredom and melancholy from your pet, then he will relax at home and will not cause harm to your interior.
It is advisable to walk your dog twice a day, in the morning and evening, and at a certain time. In this case, the dog will know for sure that he will have the opportunity to spend physical strength on the street, so at home he will behave calmly. At the same time, he will be completely devoted to jumping and running during his walks, spending more energy.
Finding out who's in charge in the house
The fact is that the animal can feel like the master of the house, so it will confidently ignore your calls for order in order to show that it is not permissible for you to command in this situation. These actions are inherent in the genotype of animals. Considering the situation at the level of a pack of dogs, it can be noted that the main individual is allowed to behave as he wishes, despite protests from the rest of the pack.
Little naughty dog
As you probably already guessed, you will have to convince the dog, show him who is really in charge in the house and in this situation. The punishment should be very strict, but not cruel. At the same time, it is important to repeat the punishment in cases of repeated damage to the wallpaper; in this situation, it is important to control yourself and not succumb to anger and violent emotions.
A couple of tips from canine experts:
- You should not let dogs chew their old things, since the animal does not distinguish them from new ones in any way, and if it tears an old shoe today, tomorrow it will tear a new one, since you conditionally allowed it to do this.
- Try to scold the dog during the offense, pointing out the problem, and not after, otherwise the animal simply may not understand why he gets it.
- Praise your dog for good behavior; the animal feels positive emotions very well and will be happy about it.
To summarize, we can say that before punishing an animal for damaging wallpaper, it is worth carefully studying its behavior and understanding the root causes. After that, correcting her behavior will not require excessive efforts from you. Remember that by taking an animal home, you also took responsibility for its fate, so treat this situation calmly, with a little humor.
Note that if you know that your animal is prone to damage to wallpaper, you can immediately choose a vandal-proof wall covering option.
Dogs are often like a hurricane that destroys everything in its path. They chew shoes, upholstery, chair legs or wallpaper. Access to furniture or shoes can be easily limited, but the same cannot be said about walls. It is a common problem that many dogs exhibit destructive behavior. You need to start fighting costly habits by answering the question - for what reasons does the dog do this?
Dog fight wallpaper
