Training Tips - Destructive Chewing
Training Tips are provided by Dogma Training & Pet Services Inc.
This is a common problem, as it is normal behaviour for dogs. Chewing may satisfy the dog’s natural urge to chew, they may do it because they receive attention (even if it’s negative), they may be playing, scavenging for food or it may be due to anxiety or boredom.
You must first determine why the dog is chewing. Are they chewing because they are raiding the garbage, teething, bored, or feeling stress/anxiety? For the dog that is bored or teething, you will need to direct them to more appealing alternatives, and ensure that they are receiving sufficient exercise. When you see your dog chewing on something inappropriate, simply interrupt them (‘No’, ‘Enough’) and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. It is also important to praise our dogs when we see them chewing on their toys.
If your dog is chewing when it is trying to escape confinement, you must teach them to feel comfortable and secure wherever they are confined, or a new confinement area may have to be chosen. We need them to see this area as a positive place, and should be providing them with some safe toys to play with while we are gone – toys stuffed with treats (ex: Kong) are an excellent alternative for this. If your dog is suffering separation anxiety, please discuss this further with a trainer.
You must supply your dog with appropriate toys as outlets to satisfy their chewing needs. There are many toys available that make the dogs work for a reward. Examples are kongs and treat balls. Things such as smoked bones and beef chews work well too.
If your dog is chewing on certain pieces of furniture or household items, you can make it aversive for the dog when it chews on them. You can either use a commercial taste deterrent such as ‘Bitter Apple’. Or household items such as cayenne pepper mixed with water or oil of citronella can be used. For this to be most effective, the dog will need to be familiar with the deterrent by just putting a small squirt in their mouth so they have a strong initial introduction to it. This prevents the dog from continuing to chew on an item because the deterrent is not strong enough – instead, they will remember the initial introduction.
You can also booby trap the object, by having double-sided tape around the edge, or have cans that will crash to the ground when the dog comes around (i.e.: on the countertop). The easiest way to control chewing problems is to confine your dog while you are not around to supervise. This helps prevent damage to your household items, as well as injury to your dog.