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Destructive Chewing

Chewing objects is a natural dog behavior. Teething, anxiety, boredom, and insufficient exercise may increase your dog's need to chew. Follow these steps to teach your dog to chew only on safe chew toys.

  1. Purchase a few safe chew objects, such as Nylabones, Kong toys, or sterilized bones. Kong toys and sterilized bones can be stuffed with peanut butter or treats to give your dog a challenge. Avoid:
    • All meat and fish bones. They can cause choking and intestinal damage.
    • Toys that contain small hard parts, such as squeakers. Hard pieces are dangerous if swallowed.
    • Old clothing or household items. Your dog can't distinguish new shoes from old ones you've allowed him to chew on.
    • Rawhide bones, especially if your dog gobbles them down. Choking can occur, or digestive problems may result if large pieces are swallowed. To be on the safe side, always supervise your dog when you give her a rawhide bone, and take it away before you leave
  6. Praise your dog for chewing on an appropriate object so she will learn the correct behavior.
  7. When you see your dog pick up or chew an inappropriate object, redirect his attention and offer him an "authorized" chew object. Praise him for taking the authorized object. Do not try to correct or punish your dog for inappropriate chewing.
  8. Teach your dog the "leave it" command. Consult a trainer for instructions.
  9. Confine your dog to a chew-proof area whenever you can't supervise her. Leave her one toy to chew on. A dog crate is the safest place for your dog when you can't be present to supervise, as long as she is not confined to the crate for excessively long periods. If you opt to confine her to a small room, you may need to spray the furniture and cabinets with Bitter Apple. Make sure that electrical cords are unplugged or inaccessible.
  10. Spend more time with your dog. Enroll in a training class to build his confidence. Give him more exercise, especially before leaving him alone. If he's tired, he may sleep instead of chewing.
  11. Try one of the new sustained-release food devices, such as the Buster Cube or the Activity Ball. These are hard plastic toys that you fill with kibble (a portion of your dog's daily ration). The kibble is gradually released as your dog manipulates the toy. This is basically the same concept as the food-laced Kong toy or sterilized bone, only more challenging for the dog. The new Goodie Grippers are also based on this principle.
  12. Give your dog unsupervised freedom gradually. Check on her after 5 or 10 minutes initially. Slowly increase the amount of time she is left alone. If she resumes her destructive chewing, back up. Most puppies aren't trustworthy for the first year, so don't be discouraged.
  13. If you are unable to control your dog's inappropriate chewing by these methods, contact a behaviorist or your veterinarian for advice.

 

© 1998 - Humane Education Committee, Champaign County Humane Society, 1911 East Main, Urbana, IL 61801 USA