Chewin' It Up Any
dog owner can tell you that chewing is a normal canine activity.
It's part of dogs' natural hunting instinct and a way to gather
information about their environment. Chewing can also be brought
on by boredom or a lack of attention. The wise pet owner recognizes
the dog's need to chew and directs the practice to include only
approved items.
With
a puppy, the first line of defense is chew toys. You should offer
your pup several, so when he's finished with one, he can move on
to the next. Vinyl or toys that squeak are a toy box staple. There
are several durable fabric or sheepskin covered chews and these
often become all-time favorites for chewing, cuddling and even naptime.
Rope bones or tugs offer not only hours of good doggy fun, but also
help keep teeth clean and massage sore gums caused by teething.
There are also a wide selection of rawhide chews and treats. One
of the hottest chew toys is the rubber Kong toy. These toys are
extremely durable, provide lots of play "action" because
they bounce, and can be filled with a treat for an added play incentive!
The
next step is to train your puppy to help him determine what items
are okay to chew and which are not. Always reward desirable toy-chewing
with lots of praise and encouragement. If you find him chewing on
an off-limits item, give him a verbal reprimand. Never physically
punish a pet. Physical punishment can result in a pet that is afraid
of you. After verbally expressing your displeasure, encourage your
pet to chew on a proper toy. Be consistent in your discipline, reprimanding
him every time you find him chewing on something he shouldn't have
in his mouth. And, help your new pet stay out of trouble by keeping
him in his "den" (crate) with his favorite toys when you're
not at home.
To
further assist your pet in identifying what's okay and what's not,
consider using a bitter or hot-tasting spray on things you don't
want him to put in his mouth: plants, electric cords, etc. If he
is fixated on shoes, for instance, make sure you keep all shoes
out of his reach. Then, make one shoe that is covered in bad-tasting
spray available to him. Move the sprayed shoe to a new location
daily. In a few days, your pup will get the idea that shoes are
not only off limits, but they generally taste bad!
And,
because chewing is sometimes a way of expressing boredom, be sure
to play with and interact with your pet daily. There's nothing like
a rousing game of fetch to distract your puppy from chewing on your
favorite chair!
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