Dog's destructive chewing! How to rid the habit?
One of the most common sources of frustration for dog and puppy owners is dog chewing. It can prove as destructive as your dog chewing the cabinet or new coffee table. However trying to stop dog chewing can be frustrating. Having a dog chewing problem can be corrected but it does require persistence and consistency to ensure the problem doesn't crop up again.

Why does my dog chew on things?

Dogs and puppies chew for a number of natural reasons. Many puppies begin chewing when teeth start to grow. Puppies use chewing to relieve sore gums and loosen teeth similar to what infants do at the same stage. Chewing is a great way for dogs and puppies to relieve stress and anxiety.

Additionally chewing can improve your dog or puppy's dental health. Chewing removes plaque from teeth and gums and keeps the teeth strong. Chewing only becomes a problem when your dog or puppy begins to chew on things that are not intended for chewing. Stopping your dog or puppy from chewing can be very difficult. However many owners have successfully stopped their dog and puppy's chewing by limiting their chewing to specific chewing toys.

Why should I use chew toys or bones?

Chew toys and bones are a great way to channel or l imit your dog or puppy's chewing. Ensure that you have a wide variety of toys and bones for your dog or puppy to chew on. These chew toys or bones should include a range of textures and tastes. Some great options to limit destructive dog behavior include a tennis ball and a knotted rope. Kong balls can be stuffed with yummy treats to encourage appropriate chewing or sterilized bone from the pet store.

What are some techniques I can use to encourage appropriate chewing?

There are some simple steps that you can take to encourage your dog or puppy to chew on appropriate materials. Teach your puppy what is permissible to chew. If you allow chewing unchecked it will be hard to break the habit later. One way to ensure that your puppy or dog does not develop a destructive chewing habit is by crating your puppy or putting him or her in a separate safe area to play whenever you can't provide 100 percent attention. By crating your puppy, you ensure that they are safe even though they are not supervi sed. This is the easiest and most effective of the dog chewing remedies, because you're proactively preventing the problem from even surfacing.

Another technique to discourage your dog or puppy from destructive chewing is to apply Tabasco sauce or apple bitter on items that he or she chews frequently. The taste should be horrible enough to make your dog search for something else to chew. Once you get this done successfully then you can provide permissible alternatives like chew toys or bones.

Another technique is to introduce new chew toys to your dog or puppy by introducing them during game... Play a game of fetch or tug of war to teach your dog that the toys can be chewed. This will also help your puppy associate positive emotions with his toys. This is something that he or she will want to repeat and therefore he will be encouraged to seek the toys to chew.

You can also use positive reinforcement to encourage your dog or puppy to engage in appropriate chewing habits. Whenever you see the dog or puppy chewing on one of their toys offer praise or a small snack. Your puppy will associate the positive reward with chewing on his or her toy and will continue to replicate the behavior in order to obtain the desired reward. Another spin in this technique involves modifying your behavior when you arrive home. Since many dogs will engage in destructive chewing within ½ hour of your arrival because they are excited and need to release energy, train your dog to greet you with a toy in his mouth. You can do this by refusing to address your dog unless he has his toy. You'll need to begin by helping him find his toy, but soon he will associate the toy with your greeting and will proactively seek out the toy when he begins to anticipate your arrival.

There are some steps you should take to ensure that your dog's toys are safe and appropriate. First, discard any broken toys or toys that have sharp edges. They can be a choking hazard and damage your dog's mouth. Avoid purchasing toys that are inappropriate for your dog, such as toys that are too large or small.

If your dog chewing problem is not resolved by any of the above methods, you may want to seek the advice of an expert dog trainer or vet. Your dog or puppy may be experiencing severe anxiety or may have a medical issue that causes destructive chewing. Through consistent redirection and reinforcement you should be able to quickly stop your dog chewing problem.