Does your dog chew on things they shouldn’t? You’re not alone. This is a very common issue for pet parents.
Reasons dogs chew
Your dog chews on objects to either handle physical pain or behavioural issues.
Imagine you have a serious toothache; it would be very distracting, right? You’d probably go see your dentist or take medication to ease the pain. Since dogs can’t take themselves to the dentist, they will look for other ways to relieve their pain, which may be caused by dental issues, jaw malformations or arthritis.
Without a proper chew toy to help to relieve their pain, dogs tend to go for furniture or other objects instead.
The best thing you can do for your furry friend is to visit your veterinarian and order a physical exam for your pooch.
Behavioural issues
If a veterinarian assesses your dog and there are no medical or physical issues, it’s time to examine what behavioural issues may be causing their constant chewing.
Dogs experience fear, boredom and anxiety, just like humans do. Whether it’s an unexpected visitor at the door, a thunderstorm or a playful pup looking for something to occupy their day, dogs will look for something to relieve a buildup of tension.
How to stop the chewing
Observe your dog’s routines to identify behavioural patterns associated with their chewing. Try implementing toys and activities with longevity and staying power to keep your furry friend occupied. This will help to relieve their tension on toys, rather than on your furniture.
You may also want to try stuffing a hard rubber toy with peanut butter (xylitol-free), freeze it overnight, and then give it to your dog when you leave for the day. This will keep your furry companion occupied, while also allowing them to work out their physical energy and anxious tension.
Another suggestion is to play with toys that can be controlled remotely via an app on your smartphone, or toys on timers to provide your dog with stimulus throughout the day.
Pet cams are another way to interact with your dog when you can’t be at home. This way, your recognizable voice can be a soothing agent for an anxious pup when a thunderstorm hits or an unexpected visitor knocks on the door.
Distractions are great, too! Treat dispensers, the radio, white noise machines, or downloadable music for animals that match their heartbeat, such as classical music for dogs, or reggae for cats, all might be helpful.
While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for your dog’s destructive chewing habits, there are numerous tricks, toys and devices on the market for you to try for your furry friend.
Visit our blog for more training tips and tricks!
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The post Key tips to stop dogs from destructive chewing appeared first on Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
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