One thing that most new pet parents aren’t always ready for when bringing a new puppy into the family is when the puppy starts chewing things. The same is true for people who have a chewing adult dog that they adopted.
When your new furry family member decides to use your shoes, furniture, or other random household things as their own personal chew toys, it can be really frustrating.
So it might be challenging to choose the appropriate tactics without becoming frustrated when trying to stop a puppy from chewing or an adult dog from chewing.
You may assist your dog or puppy in finding acceptable outlets for their chewing by concentrating on removing unsuitable chewing chances, being dependable, and giving suitable dog toys.
Here are eight steps pet owners can take to address uncontrollable dog or puppy biting tendencies.
Be attentive.
Always keep a watch on your puppy or dog to keep him safe from his natural curiosity and urge to put everything in his mouth and chew on it, much like you would with a human infant.
Contain the situation.
It is better to confine your dog if you must leave him unattended. Use a dog crate or, if your puppy is unable to be crated, divide a small space in your home using dog gates. This can be done for a longer period of time or for a little period (such as a trip to the grocery store). This will prevent him from having access to undesirable chewing objects and support his potty training.
Remember that puppies only have so many “hold times.” The amount of time your puppy can be crated depends on his age in months; for example, a three-month-old puppy can hold it for about three hours.
When puppies are alone and bored, they frequently start gnawing on items. An uncontrolled puppy can get into a lot of trouble or even hurt himself because they don’t discriminate when it comes to what they chew.
Except for those puppy chew toys that have been specifically picked for their age appropriateness, the space where you keep your puppy must be free of items that he can gnaw on.
Leave your scent behind.
If you plan to be away from your dog for an extended period of time, rubbing his favorite toy or nylon bone between your hands will help him feel more at ease.
Additionally, you should avoid bidding your puppy farewell in an emotional way to prevent separation anxiety, which can cause whining, barking, and other negative behaviors.
Many puppy owners have also discovered that turning on the radio at a low volume with background music that is calming and soothing can assist to soothe a nervous dog.
Put away anything that a dog can chew on.
All items that your dog can ingest must be stored away. A diligent dog may be able to grasp objects that seem out of reach.
This applies to practically everything, such as shoes, children’s toys (particularly little toys that your puppy could choke on), clothing (especially socks and underwear), plastic bags, trash cans, prescription containers, wallets and handbags, vitamins, and plants.
Never let a dog use the restroom unattended as there are many dangerous items he could accidentally get into, such as cleaning supplies. Additionally, there are items there that you don’t want chewed up and left all over the house. This contains toilet paper rolls as well as anything typically seen in the trash can.
A closed closet, dresser drawer, or cabinet are the best places to keep priceless items like jewelry out of the reach of a dog.
Choose dog toys wisely.
Many plush dog toys contain components that can come loose or get bitten off and provide a choking risk. Many squeaker toys are readily chewed open by dogs, and if they do, they can swallow the squeaker and need to go to the emergency vet.
The advantages of nylon bones are their strength, safety, and lack of tooth damage.
Make sure rubber toys can’t be torn into bits that your dog can ingest. These might become choking hazards or affect your stomach.
Make sure the toy you pick for your passionate chewer is both age-appropriate and long-lasting. And if a toy starts to break apart or gets big enough to swallow, you should always replace it.
Interrupt, then divert.
If you ever catch your dog chewing on something that’s not appropriate, stop him and direct his attention to something that is. Congratulate your dog for chewing on the proper item.
Do not give your dog an old shoe or old socks to chew on.
Unintentionally teaching him that it is okay to chew on socks and shoes will lead to the day when one of your most prized or expensive pairs of shoes becomes a canine chew toy.
You can’t expect your dog to know which chewable objects are for him and which are off limits.
Exercise daily.
Your dog won’t grow bored if you exercise him daily and according to his breed and age. Additionally, it helps him keep some of his energy in check.
One or more of the most frequent causes of destructive puppy chewing activity is boredom and excessive energy.
Why don’t dogs gnaw on things?
Fur Goodness Sake Bitter Apple Spray, another effective product, was formerly offered under the OmegaPet name. If you receive a bottle with the OmegaPet logo, don’t be concerned. The same applies.
This was the only anti-chew spray we examined that specified denatonium benzoate, also known as Bitrex, as the bittering agent. One of the most bitter synthetic substances is this one. It is frequently used to coat small things that children would otherwise swallow because it is non-toxic. This is the coating of Nintendo game cartridges. [7]
Can dogs be stopped from chewing by vinegar?
One of the most popular uses for vinegar is to deter dogs from destroying furniture. In comparison to other ways, vinegar is more effective since, among other things, no one needs to be in the room. The price of and potential presence of dangerous chemicals in store-bought repellents make them unsuitable for use on children or animals. Homemade repellents are simpler to make and frequently contain substances that are already in the house. It is simple to stop some damaging activities, such chewing on furniture, simply applying vinegar.
Spray vinegar from a spray bottle on and around furniture that you want to keep your dog away from. However, avoid reusing an old bottle because the remnant of the prior contents may be left behind and may muddle the vinegar’s aroma, making it ineffective. a very concentrated vinegar and water mixture The ratio of 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water works well to deter dogs. The acidic flavor of vinegar might also keep your dog from chewing. Use white vinegar or any transparent vinegar at all times. Another wonderful choice is lightly tinted apple cider vinegar. When spraying substances, you should use caution at all times.
What should I do to stop my dog from chewing everything he sees?
How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Everything When It’s a Puppy or an Adult
- Pay attention.
- Limit the problem.
- Keep your aroma to yourself.
- Put anything a dog could chew on away.
- Pick dog toys carefully.
- then cut off traffic.
- Never offer your dog a pair of worn-out shoes or socks to chew on.
- Daily exercise
Which homemade dog repellant works the best?
Is your dog ruining the garden or yard? You can help curb his shenanigans by creating a simple, secure repellant. PublicDomain Pictures/Linda Greyling
Although dogs are wonderful companions, man’s best friends can wreck havoc on furniture and gardens. There are numerous dog repellents that are simple to produce at home and inexpensive, regardless of the reasons you want to keep a dog away.
These are all completely safe for both pets and the environment.
- Citrus. The scent of lemon is repulsive to dogs. By scattering pieces of oranges or lemons across the flowerbed, you can defend your garden. Put a glass of lemon water on a nearby table or spray the mixture on your furniture to deter your dog from destroying it.
- cayenne chiles Your dog won’t be harmed by cayenne peppers, but they will irritate his eyes, nose, and throat. Sprinkle your garden with ground black pepper and cayenne pepper to deter your dog from digging in your flowerbeds. Put some cayenne pepper in your potpourri or place a bowl of decorative chilies next to the couch to train your dog to stay away from the upholstery.
- Vinegar. Dogs don’t enjoy the smell of vinegar very much. Spraying vinegar on plants could be harmful, so avoid doing it in your yard. As an alternative, soak biodegradable coffee filters in white vinegar and let them air dry. Cut the filters into thin strips that are approximately a toothpick’s length once they have dried completely. By sprinkling the strips across your yard, you can keep your dog away while promoting the growth of your flowers.
- oil of mustard. Spray some mustard oil around the location you want your dog to avoid since they detest the taste and smell of it, and then watch what happens.
- dog waste. You can guarantee that your dog won’t dig in the same holes again if you try tossing some of his waste into them. He will become disinterested in coming across his own feces if you strategically place it in holes near his preferred digging locations.
- espresso grinds. Dogs also dislike the smell of coffee, and coffee grounds are beneficial to the soil in your garden. Your dog won’t go near them if you simply scatter them on top of the ground.
Important information: Never use ammonia to repel dogs. While the smell of ammonia can deter dogs from practically anything since it bothers their nostrils, if they swallow it, it can harm their throats and stomachs. Before utilizing any chemical or material around your pets, always consult your veterinarian.
Dog Repellent FAQ
The scent of citrus fruits repulses dogs. These include oranges, grapefruit, and lemons. Citrus scents are used in sprays to deter dogs from chewing on things for this reason, among others.
A dog will experience unfavorable effects, both physically and mentally, from any sound beyond 20,000 Hz. If exposed to these frequencies for an extended period of time, dogs may get disturbed and anxious and may flee or hide.
Combine 1.5 cups of cold water with 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 20 drops of any citrus-scented essential oil in a clean spray container. Spray the mixture liberally throughout your house in the areas you wish the dog to avoid.
Some apps emit ultrasonic noises that are meant to deter dogs. These apps can also be used to silence a dog that is growling or attacking. You can find options in the app store on your phone for both Android and iOS.
What age does a dog stop gnawing on things?
When they start teething, puppies chew way too much. All juvenile mammals go through this process, where their baby or milk teeth fall out and their adult teeth erupt. When their adult teeth have fully erupted, usually between 6 and 8 months of age, it will be over.
Despite this, adult dogs still enjoy chewing, and some breeds chew more than others naturally. It should be encouraged and is actually very beneficial for them as long as they don’t use it destructively.
However, a dog’s gums may experience extreme discomfort, irritation, and even pain while they are teething, and the only thing they can do to find relief is to chew. Being so young, they don’t yet know the difference between good and wrong and will attempt to gnaw on literally anything they come across. Try not to get angry about it. Instead, let’s look at how to handle heavy chewers and teething in order to prevent it from turning harmful.
How can I prevent my dog from damaging items while I’m away?
How to Prevent Your Dog From Ruining Your House While You’re Away
- Be tolerant.
- Before you depart, mentally and physically exhaust your dog.
- Disable the customary departure cues.
- Start by gradually lengthening the time your dog is left alone.
- enlist the aid of family, friends, and experts.
- Keep things from getting worse.
Main Reasons Why Dogs Chew:
- The majority of dogs naturally like to chew. It’s enjoyable, it kills time,
- Chewing
- When dogs are not given enough exercise, they frequently use chewing to burn off excess energy.
