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A new pup in your household is nothing short of joyous, filled with affectionate moments that would make anyone’s heart melt. However, when this little bundle of joy begins to chew on your priceless antiques, loving gets a bit harder. Not to worry; this guide will delve into solving these notorious puppy chewing problems while ensuring your loved ones stay safe, and your furnishings stay intact.
Let’s get straight to understanding why puppies chew. Essentially, puppies are like babies, who learn about their world by putting objects in their mouths. Chewing can also provide teething relief or keep their jaws strong. However, excessive chewing can evolve into a destructive behavior, leading to a plethora of problems.
Why Do Puppies Chew?
Multiple reasons trigger chewing in puppies, ranging from natural instincts to behavioral issues.
Teething: Like human babies, puppies also go through a stage of teething. They experience the teething process when they’re between four months to six months old. The process can cause discomfort, leading them to chew for relief.
Exploration: Puppies are curious little creatures. They chew to understand their surroundings better.
Boredom and Anxiety: Puppies that are bored or anxious tend to resort to destructive behavior such as chewing. They chew to keep themselves entertained or to cope with feelings of anxiety.
Attention Seeking: Puppies often chew to raise attention. If you tend to react immediately to your puppy’s chewing, they may learn to associate the act of chewing with getting your attention.
Lack of Training: Puppies aren’t born with the knowledge of what is and isn’t acceptable to chew. Therefore, they might experiment with your furniture or other items.
Puppy-proofing Your House
Preventing your pup from chewing can start with preparing your living space. Keeping household items away from your puppy’s reach is the primary step.
Storage: Make sure you store away small, chewable items that may be harmful to your pup, like shoes, children’s toys, wires, etc.
Secure Spaces: Install baby gates or playpens to restrict your puppy from entering certain areas of the house.
Cover Wires: Consider covering your wires and cables using PVC material or use cable concealer.
Chew Toys and Treats
A direct way to combat chewing on furniture and household objects is through providing chew toys or teething toys. These toys are designed to withstand a puppy’s bite and also provide enrichment, exercising their jaw muscles, and keeping their teeth clean. There’s a staggering variety of chew toys like soft toys, rope toys, puzzle toys, etc. Edible chews and treats like rawhides and dental chews can also work wonders, but note that these can be a potential choking hazard and should be given under supervision.
Training and Commands
Basic command training is essential for puppies to help them understand the does and don’ts.
Teach ‘Leave It’: ‘Leave it’ commands are used to prevent your puppy from putting something in their mouth.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy when they choose a toy over a household item to chew. This enforces positive behavior.
Divert Attention Strategy: When you notice your puppy about to chew an inappropriate object, quickly divert their attention to a chew toy.
Regular Exercise
Make sure your puppy gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Tired puppies are less likely to get into mischief, and keeping them mentally stimulated reduces feelings of boredom and anxiety, which can lead to destructive chewing.
Professional Help
If your puppy’s chewing problem persists despite your attempts, it might be time to seek professional help. Certified dog behavior specialists can provide viable solutions tailored to your puppy and are equipped to tackle deeper behavioral issues that might be leading to the destructive chewing.
Above all, remember that patience is key when dealing with chewing problems in puppies. They are still learning about their world and need your guidance to grow into well-behaved dogs.
Remember, excessive chewing can be a serious, persistent problem that affects not only your sanity but also your puppy’s health. So, tackling it in a consistent, loving, and understanding manner is essential for your puppy’s well-being and your peace of mind.
