Chewing EVERYTHING

[Kara Steinhauer]

I need some advice to get my dog (10 months) to quit chewing things. He's really bad about chewing up clothes and just about anything that has a cord attached to it. He also bites when he wants to play. I have him in obedience classes right now and I have noticed a big improvement in his behaviour. I found out a few months ago that he had come from an abusive home before i got him and the classes have helped getting him to not be so afraid around people but I really need some help with how to stop him from biting and chewing everything. My mom is ready to get rid of him because of all the damage he's causing (tearing a huge hole in our new couch and love seat). Any advice would be great!

[Lesly Stevens]

Supervision and prevention is the answer. Dogs chew, so you'll need to provide him with appropriate chew toys (such as a Kong) under your supervision, and be able to distract, and then redirect him when he appears to go after something inappropriate (like your couch). Dogs are like human toddlers - adorable, but you've got to watch over them! You also need to puppy-proof your house, so he won't get into trouble. Socks can be deadly, so make sure your family members keep them off the floor and out've reach.

My dogs were crate trained, supervised at all times when puppies, provided a structured routine with plenty of physical exercise, along with games to engage the brain (bored dogs get into mischief), taught house manners, and I used baby gates to confine them to a room, or section of the house where they'd be safe, whenever I was busy and couldn't keep my eye on them. One of the best things I ever did was to teach them to "go settle." This involved going to their mat and remaining in a down/stay for 30 min. or so before being released. Every day we did this down/stay. Sure comes in handy!

Hope this helps!

LEsly, Maddy, & Bo

[Suni Brown]

I know it's expensive to go out and buy every type of toy you can find so your dog won't chew on YOUR stuff. Here are some things I have done (and I have a 11 week old lab puppy. They chew everything too).......First, give your dog interesting stuff. I used a shoe box. Put some holes in it, and placed a treat inside. Than I closed the lid. It stimulated her for about 30 minutes. When she managed to get the treat out, she still played with the box. Trying to turn it into a toy. It was great. Messy (pieces of paper everywhere) but she loved it!! It works there minds and helps make training easier.
Another cheap "treat" she has gotten is Ice. She loves Ice!! It's really cold so it stuns her for just a second than it's play time. She puts it in her mouth, spits it out, bats it across the room and chases after it.....
Oh, one more thing you can try. get a bottle of apple bitter and test spray something. Most dogs don't like it (mine licked it up though......)
The biggest thing I can suggest it redirecting your dog. When you notice the dog going for something inappropriate, pick up one of it's toys and trow it across the room to get the dogs attention. Once you make the couch or shoes "boring" your dog will stay away from them.