How to Stop Your Dog’s Inappropriate Chewing

Puppies and adult dogs alike can both develop bad chewing habits that can have negative effects on you and them. While healthy chewing is encouraged for strong oral health, most of the time it is not actually appropriate and needs to be stopped. Learn how to put an end to chewing incessantly!

 Why Dogs Chew Non-Stop

Starting at around 8 weeks, up until your dog is 6 months old, their permanent teeth are starting to erupt. This teething process is painful and uncomfortable for the pups. Chewing on anything they can get their paws on helps alleviate some of the pain associated with this process. Sometimes, your pup can get ahold of something they shouldn’t, forming the habit of chewing on shoes and other household items.

 Save yourself a trip to the shoe store and help your dog get a grip (literally) on appropriate chew toys that won’t cost you a fortune, and are actually better for their oral health.

How to Break the Habit

 Rule out medical issues. Insufficient nutrition and some stomach parasites can cause pica, which causes your dog to incessantly chew on items. Take a visit to your vet to ensure this isn’t the issue before continuing.

Chew-proof your home. 

Take a look at the areas your puppy spends most of their time. If there are items like shoes, remotes or children’s toys within reach, they’ll see no reason not to go after them. Keep these items out of the puppy zone to avoid temptation all together.

Not all chew toys are made equally. 

With household items out of the way, you will need to provide positive choices for your dog to chew on. Beware, not all chew toys are the same. Pet owners should avoid rawhide because they decrease in size and cause a serious choking hazard. Instead, stick with toys that are small enough to be picked up and carried, but not small enough to swallow.

Reinforcement is key.

Keep a close eye on your pup and make sure you’re there to encourage healthy chewing if you start to see signs of restlessness. Help them by putting their favorite chew toy in front of them. Also, prolonging playtime can be an effective way to tire them out so chewing isn’t even on their mind during down times.

 If you have any questions about puppy teething or healthy chewing, make sure you come in to see your vet. Make an appointment online with Laveen Vet Center!