As they explore the world, puppies and dogs frequently gnaw on objects. A dog can achieve a variety of goals by chewing. It offers young canines a means of easing pain that potential future teething may bring. It’s nature’s method of keeping aging dogs’ jaws strong and their teeth clean. Additionally, chewing prevents boredom and eases moderate tension or frustration.
Rule Out Problems That Can Cause Destructive Chewing
separation phobia Usually exclusively chewing when left alone or chewing most vigorously when left alone, dogs who chew to ease the tension of separation anxiety. Other separation anxiety symptoms include whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, urinating, and defecating. Please read our article, Separation Anxiety, for more information on separation anxiety and how to address it.
Clothing Sucking Some dogs chew, lick, and suckle on fabrics. According to some specialists, this behavior is a result of the baby being weaned too soon (before seven or eight weeks of age). It’s probable that a dog’s fabric-sucking activity has become compulsive if it persists for extended periods of time and it’s challenging to divert him when he tries to indulge in it. For information on how to locate a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized training and experience in treating compulsive behavior, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help.
Hunger A canine on a calorie-restricted diet may chew and damage items in an effort to find more food sources. Dogs typically chew on things that are connected to food or have a food-like fragrance.
How to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing
dog teething Puppies chew due to their urge to explore new objects and their discomfort from teething. Similar to young children, puppies go through a phase where they lose their baby teeth and feel discomfort as their adult teeth erupt. By six months of age, this phase of increased chewing should be over. Some people advise feeding puppies frozen wet washcloths, frozen dog toys, or ice cubes to chew on to ease teething pain. Despite the fact that puppies must chew on everything, careful training can teach your dog to limit his chewing to acceptable objects, such as his own toys.
Typical Chewing Patterns For dogs of all ages, chewing is a totally typical behavior. Dogs, whether tame or wild, can spend hours gnawing bones. Their teeth stay clean and their jaws stay strong thanks to this activity. Dogs enjoy chewing on sticks, bones, and nearly anything else that is available. They chew for entertainment, stimulation, and anxiety reduction. Although chewing is a common action in dogs, occasionally they chew on undesirable objects. A range of suitable and appealing chew toys should be available for dogs of all ages, including pups. The right chewables alone won’t suffice to stop inappropriate chewing, though. Dogs need to learn what they can and cannot chew. They must be instructed in a kind, patient way.
- “Make your home dog-proof. Put priceless goods away until you’re certain that your dog will only chew on appropriate objects. Keep books on shelves, soiled clothes in a basket, shoes and apparel in a closed closet. Make success for your dog simple.
- Give your dog a ton of his own toys, as well as some inedible chew bones. Pay attention to the toys he enjoys chewing on for extended periods of time and keep providing those. To prevent your dog from being bored with the same old toys, it’s best to rotate or introduce something new into his chew toys every few days. (Take care: Only provide your dog with natural bones that are intended for chewing. Give him raw bones instead, such as leftover t-bones or chicken wings, as they can splinter and do your dog considerable harm. Also keep in mind that some people who chew extremely hard may be able to break tiny pieces off of real bones or even their own teeth. Consult your dog’s veterinarian if you are unsure what is safe to give him.)
- Bully sticks, pig ears, rawhide bones, pig skin rolls, and other natural chews are good options to give your dog. Sometimes, especially if they bite off and swallow big chunks, dogs can choke on edible chews. If your dog has a tendency to do this, make sure he is alone when he chews so he can unwind. (If he is forced to chew in the presence of other dogs, he can feel pressured to outdo them and try to gulp down food quickly.) Whenever your dog is chewing on an edible object, be sure to keep an eye on him so you can step in if he starts to choke.
- Find out when your dog is most inclined to chew and offer him a puzzle toy with some tasty treats during those times. You can put a portion of your dog’s daily food allowance in the toy.
- Spraying chewing deterrents on the improper items will deter chewing. Apply a small bit of the repellent on some cotton wool or tissue before using it. It should be placed gently in your dog’s mouth. Spit it out after letting him taste it. Your dog may toss his head, drool, or retch if the taste offends him. He won’t take the tissue or wool out of his pocket once again. Ideally, he will have discovered the link between the deterrent’s taste and smell, making him more inclined to refrain from chewing things that smell like it. All items that you don’t want your dog to chew should be treated with the deterrent. Every day for the next two to four weeks, reapply the deterrent. Please be aware, though, that more than merely using deterrents will be necessary for the successful treatment of destructive chewing. Both what they can chew and what they shouldn’t chew should be taught to dogs.
- Until you are certain that your dog’s chewing activity is under control, try your best to keep an eye on him during all waking hours. Tell him if you notice him licking or chewing something he shouldn’t be “Oh no, take it out of your dog’s mouth and replace it with something he CAN chew. Then joyfully commend him. Please see our article on finding professional behavior help for information on how to locate a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or Associate CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with experience treating aggression if you have any suspicions that your dog may become aggressive if you remove something from his mouth.
- Your dog needs to be kept from chewing on improper objects when you aren’t there to watch him. For instance, if you work during the day, you are permitted to confine your dog at home for up to six hours. Use a crate or lock the door or a baby gate to a tiny room where you’ve placed your dog. Remove all prohibited items from your dog’s confinement area and provide him with a selection of suitable toys and chew items in their place. If you crate your dog, keep in mind that you’ll need to exercise him frequently and spend time with him when he’s not crated.
- Playtime with you and other dogs is a great way to give your dog physical and mental stimulation (training, social visits, etc.). Make sure your dog has plenty of playtime before you have to leave him alone for longer than a short while.
- It’s vital to refrain from confusing your dog by presenting undesired household items, such as worn-out shoes and discarded cushions, in order to assist him learn the difference between things he should and shouldn’t chew. You cannot reasonably expect your dog to learn which shoes are acceptable to chew on and which ones are not.
- Some young dogs and pups like chewing on soiled underpants. The best way to fix this issue is to consistently place dirty underwear in a closed hamper. Similar to puppies, some dogs enjoy raiding the trash and gnawing on used tampons and sanitary napkins. This carries a significant risk. A sanitary item that a dog eats may expand as it passes through his digestive tract. Put tampons and napkins in a container that your dog cannot access. As they mature, the majority of young canines outgrow these tendencies.
Some dogs merely do not have sufficient mental and physical stimulation. Chewing is one method that bored dogs often use to pass the time. Make sure to give your dog lots of opportunities to engage in mental and physical activity to discourage destructive chewing. Daily walks and outings, off-leash play with other dogs, tug and fetch games, clicker training lessons, dog sports (agility, freestyle, flyball, etc.), and serving meals in food puzzle toys are all excellent ways to do this.
Stress and Disappointment When under stress, a dog may occasionally chew, such as when he is confined in a car with youngsters or is crated next to another animal with whom he does not get along. Try to keep your dog away from stressful or upsetting circumstances to lessen this form of chewing.
Dogs who aren’t allowed to participate in interesting activities occasionally bite, shake, shred, and chew on adjacent things. When visitors pass by their kennels, shelter dogs and puppies may grab and shake blankets or bowls in an attempt to attract their attention. They act destructively out of irritation when they don’t understand. When a dog spots a cat or squirrel running by and wants to chase it but is confined by a fence, the dog may seize and gnaw on the gate. When a dog is in a training session and observes another dog enjoying fun, he could become so enthused that he grabs and chews his leash. (Dogs that compete in agility and flyball are particularly prone to this behavior since they observe other dogs having a wonderful time racing about and want to get in on the fun.) Predicting potential moments of frustration and providing your dog with a suitable toy for shaking and tearing is the best course of action for this issue. Bring a tug or stuffed animal toy to class for your dog to hold and gnaw on. Tie a rope toy to a sturdy object by the gate or barrier if your dog gets frustrated by pets or objects on the other side of a fence or gate at home. Give puppies and dogs in shelters toys and chew bones to keep them entertained. Teach them to go to the front of their kennels and sit quietly to attract attention from onlookers whenever it is possible.
- Do not spank, reprimand, or otherwise punish your dog after the event by pointing out the harm he caused. He is unable to relate his actions from hours or even just minutes ago to the punishment you gave him.
- Use duct tape sparingly if you need to keep your dog’s jaws shut over a chewed object. This is cruel, won’t teach your dog anything, and has even resulted in the death of several pets.
- Never attach a broken object to your dog. This is cruel and will not provide your dog any lessons.
- To stop chewing, avoid keeping your dog in a kennel for extended periods of time (more than six hours).
Why does my dog only destroy things I own?
- He cherishes you more.
- separation phobia
- You make a poor leader.
- You odor better.
- He is envious.
- He is going through the teething process.
- You ignore him
- It bores him.
- He desires your focus.
- You indulge him
- pent-up vigor
- Stress Disorder
- He is delineating his domain.
- He abhors you.
- Medical Problem
- feeding him
The dog breaking things is not your fault. I understand if you’re a little anxious.
There are several explanations for why your dog damages your belongings and nobody else’s. Despite the seriousness of some of the items on this list, it should be regarded as a joke. It was designed as a tool to aid in your diagnosis of the cause of your dog’s attention-seeking behavior.
16 Causes Why Your Dog Only Ruins Your Stuff:
Reason #1 He loves you more
Your dog might be picking on you in the first place because he loves you. His favorite is you.
Your dog expresses himself through unintentionally breaking objects because there is no way he could do so verbally. Doing this makes dogs happy since they miss their owners and enjoy being around their belongings.
They are aware of your scent, and if they are unable to express their affection for you in person, they want to do it by trashing your belongings. I realize it doesn’t make sense.
He wants to prove to you that you are the best person he has ever met. It can come as a big surprise. I’m aware that it’s annoying.
Reason #2 Separation anxiety
Many dogs suffer from the emotional ailment known as separation anxiety. It occurs more frequently in some breeds than others, such as Beagles.
Your dog could feel lonely and anxious when you leave the house. Energy in motion is what emotion is. All of that stress has to go someplace, and regrettably, it frequently manifests itself in damage to our possessions.
When their owners are gone, dogs with separation anxiety may go through severe mental distress. especially with the one with whom they are more closely bonded.
Let’s say you’re going to be away from home for a while. It is advised that a friend or member of your family stay with your dog in those situation. This can ease some of their tension and give them companionship during those trying times.
Spending more time with other people and animals might be beneficial if your dog is ignoring the possessions of other family members and heading straight for yours.
Expand his horizons. Give him some leeway. Are you two overly attached? Some breeds of dogs may struggle with codependence, but people are also involved.
Reason #3 You’re a bad leader
Your dog will notice if you’re not a strong leader, and this could encourage them to assume control.
Your dog needs to take charge. They were made to obey an alpha leader and live in packs.
Don’t worry if you lack these qualities just yet. With practice, they can be honed, but it will take focused effort.
Dogs must be in charge or they may take control. He might not have any problems chewing up your belongings if he perceives you as being weak. He might disregard other people’s belongings if they object to his behavior.
If other family members complain and punish the dog when he steals their possessions, your dog may have learnt to ignore them and chase after you instead.
Do not worry if you are a softy! Aggression has nothing to do with dominating. It’s not a bad attribute, but some people go overboard with it.
Cesar Millan is excellent at showing you the skills necessary to lead your dog’s group. He makes extensive use of dog psychology.
With your dog, practice being a leader. You may be a weak leader right now if you want to. Most people don’t naturally possess leadership qualities. They put forth a lot of effort. Over time, one gains leadership abilities!
Reason #4 He loves your smell
It’s possible that your dog prefers the fragrance of you to that of the other occupants of your house. Everyone smells different. It resembles DNA or a fingerprint in some ways. We are distinguished from one another by it.
According to a study, dogs’ sense of smell is around 100 times more sensitive than humans’, and they can detect odours in concentrations as low as 0.01 parts per trillion.
Sweat reacts with our skin to form our own body odor. It is composed of dead cells, germs, and food.
Everyone’s experience with the smell is unique since it changes depending on what we eat or drink. So even if he can’t always tell who smells like who, your dog may prefer you to other people in the house.
Why then does my dog only wreck my things? Your dog can actually enjoy the scent of your body odor if you frequently consume sweet or fatty foods. This is probably the explanation if he is after your clothing. He enjoys something distinctive about your body odor.
Our odor is transferred to objects, particularly clothing because it can permeate into the fabric.
Think, I It’s fascinating that trained dog sniffers have trouble telling identical twins apart unless they eat quite differently.
Your diet has an impact on how your dog smells. So, if you forget to use deodorant on those humid summer days, good luck!
Reason #5 He’s Jealous
When someone (or anything) interferes with their bond with you and the amount of attention you give them, dogs often experience the emotion of jealousy.
When someone other than the owner enters their space, dogs become more destructive. Therefore, if you recently moved in with your significant other or have a new roommate, they might be venting their jealousy on your possessions.
If they are ignoring the new person’s possessions, you are to blame and not them. which is encouraging!
It’s better for your dog to take out his emotional issues on you than on a new family member!
Reason #6 He’s teething
This is a clear explanation for why a young dog or puppy might chew your belongings. Puppies frequently lack the maturity to specifically target a certain person.
Therefore, it is likely that your puppy is only chewing on you and you alone if he is chewing on your belongings. Probably, you and you are spending more time together. He cherishes you.
Reason #7 You neglect him
Your dog will destroy your belongings if you neglect him for a number of reasons. Dogs need their emotional and social needs to be addressed. They require affection, consideration, and quality time with their owners.
If you don’t give them this, they’ll lash out at your goods out of annoyance. Additionally, they might begin to exhibit behavioral issues including anxiety and sadness. which will result in increased chewing.
Why then does my dog only wreck my things? Your dog might be picking on you because he receives a lot of love and attention from other people when they connect with him.
He might not feel the urge to chew on their belongings if that’s the case. Loving kindness goes a long way. Spend more time with your dog if you’ve been too preoccupied with work, a new pastime, or a new romance.
Make certain your dog is aware of your devotion for him. Just the two of you should go on a walk or to a dog park.
Reason #8 He’s bored
Because they are bored, dogs will trash your belongings. Finding the ideal balance between work, family time, and sleep is a challenge we are all familiar with.
Our dogs start looking for methods to occupy themselves by chewing on items when they don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation.
Giving your dog activities to do while you’re away may be beneficial if you and your dog have a close relationship (or preoccupied at home.)
Giving him some soiled T-shirts to keep around him while you’re busy can be helpful. You can refocus his energies on the proper items to chew and destroy if you offer them to him and let him know they are his.
My last dog would mutilate water bottles made of plastic. He cherished it! He was aware that he could only eliminate those that I had given him authority to do so.
Giving your dog something with your scent on it and letting him chew it could teach him the difference between items you allow him to chew and things that are off-limits.
To ensure that it doesn’t imply that everything you own is fair game, you’d need to be constant in your training.
Your dog will understand the meaning of separation if you can teach him how to be a good pack leader. What is forbidden and what is his to destroy.
Reason #9 He wants your attention and knows how to get it
If you reward your dog every time he misbehaves, he’ll do it on purpose to attract your attention.
There is a legitimate reason your dog is attempting to grab your attention if you are neglecting him and spending less time with him.
When your dog damages your belongings and you respond to him in a frustrated and angry manner, it can be what he wants. He doesn’t do it to annoy you; rather, it’s the only way he can persuade you to spend any time with him.
Even though it’s unfavorable attention, it nonetheless exists. Children who are ignored will behave in the same way. Because dogs are emotional beings like humans, it is important to understand their psychology.
