Destructive Chewing

By Troy Wilson & Rosita Wilson  - Outback Dog Training

 

Chewing is instinctual behaviour for dogs and puppies; they use their mouths to explore the world, it is how they garner information. Puppies also chew to relieve teething pain. Adult dogs use chewing to keep their teeth clean and their jaws strong; this is a natural behaviour. Chewing is also your dog's way of dealing with stress; it is Nature's Prozac. Chewing is also one of the first things a dog will turn to when it is bored, frustrated or stressed.

 

If your puppy or dog seems to be chewing compulsively, have them vet checked; there may be an underlying medical cause.

Problems that Can Lead to Destructive Chewing

Anxiety

For the purposes of this article, anxiety will include basic anxieties, isolation anxiety and separation anxiety.

 

To relieve anxiety puppies and dogs will often turn to chewing; if not properly supervised this chewing will be unwanted and destructive. Anxiety is usually more prevalent when they are left alone. Isolation and separation anxiety always come with other signs and symptoms such as whining, barking, urination, defecation, pacing and general restlessness.

 

Anxiety can be addressed through training, but you may need to seek help from a behaviourist or trainer.

 

Sucking on Fabric

Some dogs suck and chew fabrics. There is a school of thought that argues this is the result of too-early weaning. If your dog is a long-term fabric-sucker and is not easily distracted from this activity, they have formed a habit; in essence, it is an addiction. Fortunately, like many unwanted behaviours, this can be trained out.

 

If this habit has become obsessive, you may need to seek assistance from a behaviourist or trainer.

Hunger Dogs on restricted diets may chew as they seek sources of nutrition. This kind of chewing is usually aimed at objects that look or smell like food. Training and supervision can solve this problem, but if you are at all concerned, have your dog vet-checked to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions and they are getting sufficient nutrition.

 

Stress and Frustration 

Dogs will sometimes chew if they are stressed. Identify the stressors affecting your dog and strategise ways to resolve the issue. These may include removing the stressors or desensitisation training for your dog.

 

Your dog may also be chewing from frustration; wanting to do a particular activity and not being able to. To vent their frustration, they chew; anticipate this and make sure they have an appropriate chew toy when they are likely to be in these situations. Make sure your dog has an appropriate amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Training your dog to be calm is extremely important.

How to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing

Supervise, Supervise, Supervise!

 The best way to supervise your dog and stop unwanted, destructive chewing is to tether train. If you see your dog licking or chewing something they shouldn't be, give a short, sharp correction sound ('ARGHH!') and redirect to something they can chew. If you can't be with your dog, put them in a crate.

 

Teething Puppies

Curiosity and discomfort are the motivating factors for puppies to chew. The chewing due to teething stage begins around four months, and usually ends by six months. You can give your puppy special frozen chew toys, ice-blocks or something similar to chew to ease their pain if you wish. Redirect your puppy to chew appropriate items. Do not give your puppy things like frozen washcloths as these are easily swallowed and can also confuse your puppy as to what is and is not appropriate to chew.

 

Dog-proofing Your Home

• Restrict access by creating off-limit areas. Ensure doors to these areas are closed or use baby gates to contain your puppy/dog.
• Put items you don't want chewed out of range - on higher shelves, benches, in cupboards, drawers or closed-off rooms.
• Cover electrical cords, or make them inaccessible.
• Put plants up out of the dog's reach - some plants are toxic to dogs, so this is crucially important.
• Make sure your dog has plenty of appropriate toys, including chew toys. Rotate your dog's toys so they don't get bored with the same old ones.
• Give your dog a natural bone or something like a 'bully stick' to chew every week or so. Make sure bones are not cooked, as they can splinter and harm your dog and always supervise your dog when they have a natural bone. Do not give your dog rawhide bones, pig's ears or other similar chewables.
• Work out what time of day your dog seems most inclined to chew and give them something else to do; a puzzle toy, some training, a game with you etc.
• Spray items you don't want chewed and cannot remove to safety with chewing deterrents. Spray some deterrent on a rag and let your dog sniff and taste the rag; this will teach him to associate the smell with the bad taste. Re-spray the off-limits objects every day for two to four weeks; by this time your dog should have learned what he is not to chew. It is crucial that you don't just deter your dog from chewing; you need to show them what they can chew, so remain vigilant.
• Spend plenty of time with your dog playing both physically, and more importantly, mentally tiring games. Do not get your dog all revved up, then leave them alone; this increases the risk of chewing.
• Do not confuse your dog. Make sure you give dog-only appropriate toys; do not give your dog old shoes, socks, cushions, or household items to play with. Do not give them dog-appropriate toys that look like everyday items as this will only confuse them and encourage unwanted chewing.
• Teach your dog to be calm. This is crucial as it teaches your dog that doing nothing is ok. A bored, frustrated or over-stimulated dog is a dog who is likely to chew, so teach your dog to be calm.
• Discourage inappropriate chewing. If your dog begins to chew something they shouldn't, correct and redirect. Train your dog not to chew.

Don't

• Verbally or physically punish your dog. This includes showing your dog the damage they have done; they will not know what they have done wrong, or understand why they are being punished. Dogs do not comprehend 'after the fact' punishment. Train your dog not to chew. Be patient and consistent.
• Use your hands, tape or similar to force your dog's mouth closed to prevent chewing; get anger management for yourself and train your dog not to chew. Be patient and consistent.
• Tape a chewed object in your dog's mouth or tie a damaged item to your dog; get anger management for yourself and train your dog not to chew. Be patient and consistent.
• Muzzle your dog to prevent chewing - this is not what muzzles are for. Train your dog not to chew. Be patient and consistent.

In Conclusion

Dogs chew - it is in their nature. But what they chew is up to us - we can teach them to chew appropriately. All it takes is a little time, patience and consistency.

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