Puppies are the greatest! They are adorable, loving and it doesn’t matter how tough a person claims they are, they will still melt at the sight of a puppy. It’s all fun and games until we realize that taking care of a young animal of any kind is a lot of work.

Just like people, puppies need to teeth and that comes with them chewing on anything close to them. It starts as young as 4 weeks and can last all the way until they are around 6 months old.

Even after the initial teething stage most dogs will still feel the need to chew for many reasons, for example, to keep their jaw strong, clean their teeth, relieve anxiety and frustration, and just to satisfy their boredom.

Try these strategies to help your dog understand that chewing is okay if it’s THEIR belongings and not yours.

1. Put everything away

This can seem a bit obvious, but it is a crucial step to the safety of your dog. Even when you think your dog can’t possibly reach something or they won’t care to get into it, they usually find a way. If you are going to leave the house it’s very important to put away anything they can get into, especially dangerous sweets like chocolate, medications, cleaning supplies, etc. This step alone will save you a ton in heartache and vet bills. While this won’t solve your issue if they are chewing on furniture, it will drastically reduce many cases of oopsies.

2. Help reduce anxiety

You have family, friends, acquaintances and your pets. Your dog has you. A dog’s nature is for them to be in packs and when a dog is left behind from the pack, their instinct is to always stay as a pack. You are the center of your dog’s reality so when you are separated it is very normal for it to cause them anxiety.

To reduce this anxiety, you can leave your scent behind. If they are being left alone, they can still smell your scent which gives them a sense that you are returning. If you are in an unfamiliar place that isn’t home, it will help to leave some of your belongings around, so they know you are returning. You can also play calming music, or DogTV to help soothe them and distract them.

If you are going to be gone for an extended period and you are concerned about a high anxiety situation such as thunderstorms or 4^th of July, you can also try either Chamomile or CBD treats to help them stay relaxed. While this can in some cases be an effective solution you do not want to rely on it every day.

A playmate! If you only have 1 dog, then leaving can really stress them out. Having another dog to keep them company is a great solution and gives them a companion to play with. Very effective solution but not everyone can afford to have a second dog.

3. Contain the situation

Depending on your situation, you can also try to give your dog their own personal area where they can be left while you are gone to prevent them from destroying things. You can crate train your dog, if that isn’t something you would like to do, you can try using baby gates to block certain areas of the house where you have valuables or just belongings that you would like to prevent them from damaging.

4. Exercise

Dogs are fountains of energy; some breeds are more hyperactive than others but if you are able to burn off some of that energy, they are far less likely to want to get into stuff. Taking them on walks or hikes is very fun and it is very beneficial for the health and happiness of your dog. Just make sure to bring plenty of water! 

5. Training

When you find your dog chewing on something they are not supposed to there are many dos and don’ts to keep in mind for your dog to properly understand the difference between theirs toys and your things.

Don’t give your dog old shoes or socks to chew on. They will learn that it is ok for them to chew on it. The problem is your dog can’t distinguish the difference between a shoe you like and wear and a shoe you don’t care about.

If you catch your dog while he or she is chewing on something they aren’t supposed to, don’t hit, spank or scold them. They can’t connect the punishment with what they did wrong, instead, you want to simply take away the item they are chewing on and replace it with something else you want them to chew on. This will teach them that the item you give them is acceptable and a far more effective way to teach them.

6. Give them good chew toys

When it comes to the type of toys you give your dog it is important to give them a type of toy that will satisfy their chewing needs. If you dog is teething or is a frequent chewer then offering them a soft plush toy is not always the right solution. The best solution is to give them something they can really sink their teeth into to satisfy their instinctual needs.

For this you have a few options.

Bully sticks or rawhide which is edible, these are a good solution because it allows the dog to chew on it and can keep them busy for a while. The only real drawback to these is you will have to buy them frequently and your dog can get so into the act of chewing it that it can hurt their gums from them chewing on it.

Rubber toys are the best solution as they are best of both worlds. They allow your dog to satisfy their chewing, great for cleaning their teeth and even better if they have a place for dog toothpaste. The health of a dog’s teeth is far more important than one might think. It is best to find one that is nontoxic and durable to ensure your dog doesn’t eat the shards that may fall off the toy.

Don’ts

Very common mistakes many dog owners make is giving their dogs very hard chew toys such as cow hooves, animal bones such as chicken bones, deer antlers, and Nylon toys.

Most vets will not recommend these for dogs and is a very common misconception.

Hard chew toys like nylon bones have been reported to cause teeth fractures and other gum damage. Broken or fractured teeth are extremely painful for your dog and can even be abscessed. An abscessed tooth is a severe infection that can spread throughout your dog’s body and can even cause bone deterioration if left untreated. Animal bones especially cooked bones are very easy for your dog to break apart and eat. Animal bones tend to shard and those shards can cause damage to your dog’s stomach and mouth.

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