Dogs That Chew Furniture

Dogs will always chew. Some breeds are more predisposed towards chewing than others - especially breeds that have long been trained to use their mouths such as hunting dogs like Retrievers, spaniels and hounds. But basically, especially for teething pups, chewing is a pastime for pleasure, for subduing boredom, and with teething, for soothing. . .

However, this chewing can become a real annoyance when it starts becoming a destructive behavior ruining household furnishings. Depending on your dog’s taste will determine what a more targeted item is. Some dogs go for items that resemble their natural foodstuffs in the wild (for example, leather shoes and belts) whereas others head straight for the drywall and start gnawing. Here is some tips that will help protect your household furnishings when your dog has the urge to chew.

If your dog is bored, he/she will chew. Give your dog diversions such as mental stimulation with a variety of dog safe toys.

If left to his or her own devise for long periods of time, get a dog sitter or walker to break up that time so he/she doesn’t get bored and start to chew. You may want to consider a doggie day care if you work more hours than you are home.

Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise. That way when he/she is on their downtime, they are too tired to care about chewing.

Limit your dogs free run of the home when not being supervised. But whatever you do, do not lock him/her up in a crate all day. It is hard for them to move around, they have nothing to do to occupy their time, and it can make for a sad, and even sometimes unsociable dog.

Reprimand your dog when caught chewing while in action. Reprimanding after the act, such as when you come home from work and se the leg of your favorite chair chewed to pieces will do no good. He/she will have no idea what he/she is being reprimanded for, only that they are being yelled at.

Make the items you want your dog to chew, such as his toys, much more desirable than the furniture! Spray toys and chews with a small amount of cooking oil and garlic salt, as dogs love those particular tastes. Spray the oil and sprinkle the salt onto his toys before leaving him alone in the house.

On the same token, make the furniture taste bad. Apply foul-tasting substances (non-toxic, of course) to trouble areas: cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce will do (but may stain, so only use on appropriate washable surfaces). There are also anti-chew salves, sprays, and creams that are effective at deterring chewing.

Boredom and loneliness are the two main causes of destructive behavior like chewing, digging, and excess barking. Leave a radio or TV on that is tuned to a station with people talking. It makes the dog feel that others are in the home.


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