CONTRIBUTOR(S): David Appleby, Vetstream Ltd, Rebecca Macmillan, Fear Free,
Destructiveness and chewing
Destructiveness and chewing
Having a young puppy in the house brings much pleasure, but puppies also bring with them many undesirable behaviors. Early training is important to ensure that your puppy grows up understanding the rules in your house and fits in with your lifestyle. All dogs chew, it is natural canine behavior. It only becomes a problem when they are chewing things that belong to us!
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Why do dogs chew?
Dogs, especially puppies, are extremely playful and investigative. While playing with people and other dogs is an important part of socialization and social development, exploration and object play are important ways for dogs to learn about their environment.
It is normal for puppies to investigate their environment by sniffing, tasting and perhaps chewing on objects in the home. Dogs that chew may also be scavenging for food (as in garbage raiding), playing (as in the dog that chews apart a book or sofa), teething (dogs 3 to 6 months of age), or satisfying a natural urge to chew and gnaw (which may also serve to help keep teeth and gums healthy).
Chewing and destructive behavior may also be a response to anxiety. Dogs that are confined in areas where they are insecure may dig and chew in an attempt to escape. Dogs that are in a state of conflict, arousal or anxiety, such as separation anxiety, may turn to chewing and other forms of destructiveness as an outlet for their stress (see factsheet on “Separation anxiety” for this specific problem).
How can chewing be treated?
In order to control a chewing problem it is necessary to understand why the dog is chewing. If the dog is a puppy or young adult dog that is chewing at a variety of objects in the household, it is likely that play and investigation (and perhaps teething) is the motive. This behavior may naturally decrease in time, provided the chewing is directed to proper outlets.
It is important to carry out positive reinforcement training with your dog. This means praising and encouraging the behaviors that we want to see more of, such as chewing on their toys or treats. You should provide them with plenty of objects that they are allowed to play with and restrict access to the things they aren’t allowed to chew. Tidying away shoes and slippers, keeping precious children’s toys out of reach, and using baby gates to zone areas of your house off from your pet can all help.
If your dog does chew something inappropriate, then you must never punish them. This can cause confusion and inadvertently gives your dog attention, which could reinforce the problem. Instead, calmly remove your dog from the area or re-direct their attention to an appropriate chew item. Praise and reward them when they are playing nicely.
Dogs that are destructive as an outlet for anxiety, will need to have the cause of the anxiety diagnosed, and the problem appropriately treated (see “Separation anxiety” factsheet).
How can proper chewing be encouraged?
Before considering how inappropriate chewing might be discouraged, the real key is to provide some appropriate outlets for your dog’s chewing “needs”. Begin with a few toys with a variety of tastes, odors, and textures to determine what appeals most to the pet.
Coating toys with liver or cheese spread or peanut butter may also increase their desirability. Just ensure that your pet’s toys or chews are not too hard, as this could cause painful tooth fractures. All chosen items should have some ‘give’ when a dog bites down on them.
Numerous other play toys are also available that provide a means for stuffing food or treats inside, so that the dog has to “work” to get its reward. Hollow chew toys can be filled with food, eg a small piece of cheese or liver and then filled tight with biscuits. To ensure that your puppy is encouraged and rewarded for chewing on its toys, and discouraged from chewing on all other objects, it must be supervised at all times. Whenever supervision is not possible, you must prevent access to any object or area that might be chewed.
How else can I entertain my dog?
The needs of most working dogs are usually satisfied with daily work sessions (retrieving, herding, sledding, etc), while non-working house-pets will require alternative forms of activity to meet their requirements for work and play.
Games such as tug, retrieving, catching a ball or Frisbee, jogging, or even long walks are often an acceptable alternative to work, allowing your dog an opportunity to expend unused energy, and provide regular attention periods.
Positive reinforcement manners training, agility classes and simply teaching your dog a few tricks are not only pleasant interactive activities for you and your dog, but they also provide some stimulation and “work” to your pet’s daily schedule.
How can I stop my dog chewing on household objects?
Access to all areas that the dog might chew must be prevented unless the owner is present to supervise. You can use baby or pet gates to zone areas of your house. This way you can keep your dog away from valuable sofas or prevent them from going upstairs when not supervised.
The area that your dog is kept in should be clutter-free. This means storing clothing and shoes out of reach, putting food items away in cupboards, and removing any possessions of value.
Spending plenty of time exercising and playing with your pet when you are home will help to tire them. They will be much happier and more settled when left alone if they have been properly exercised. Increased mental and physical stimulation is key to reducing boredom and destructive behaviors. Leaving your pet on their own for long periods is not recommended.
Spraying household items with bitter-tasting repellants may discourage some dogs, but it is no substitute for appropriate positive reinforcement training.
Remember that punishments don’t work, instead you should teach your dog what they can chew on, encouraging them with praise and fuss.
In most cases, behavioral problems can be easily resolved if they are recognized and treated early. Once the behavior is established, bad habits are much harder to break. Your own veterinary surgeon will be able to offer useful advice on dealing with behavioral issues, but for more challenging cases they may wish to refer you to see a specialist in animal behavior.