LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Nuisance Chewing

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: My dog is Beagle mixed with Chow Chow, and he is one year old. Recently, he has started to chew everything and eat everything he can see. (books, fish food...) Why is my dog behaving this way, and is there anyway to stop him? - Posted by: ngovan_1995@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Van,

Stopping a vorascious chewer is never easy, but you can regain some control over the situation with the following steps.

First, pick up everything that can be put away in a safer place. This eliminates a lot of casual chewing opportunities.
Second, spray bitter apple spray on electrical cords, wooden furniture legs, etc., to make them distasteful to your dog.
Buy about three high quality chewing toys for your dog, and rotate them so he doesn't have a chance to get bored with them. I usually recommend items like Kongs and Nylabones.
When you catch your dog investigating something he shouldn't chew on, pre-empt him with a firm "no" command, and redirect him to one of the chew toys.

It will take some diligence, but you should be able to curb the unwanted behavior.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: A few days ago, we adopted a female Australian cattle Dog that is about 12-18 months old. We have three children and lots of toys everywhere. So far, our new friend has chewed up a few stuffed animals. As an immediate solution, she is in her crate except when we are paying direct attention to her, and we're taking her for long walks twice a day. She probably needs some toys and some training, but I'm not sure where to start. Thanks. - Posted by: dna0929@sbcglobal.net

Answer: Hi Ashlea,

Although it can be useful to crate an untrained dog when you're not available to supervise her, this is not a long term solution. Here are my suggestions.

You need to dog-proof your home. This involves picking up and properly storing the loose items you don't want her to have. Toys are fine to have around when your children are actively playing with them, but they should be put away in the toy box when not in use. You also need to make sure electrical wires are not accessible. Bedroom doors should be kept closed to limit your dog's access.
Provide your dog with several appropriate chew toys that you can rotate to keep them fresh and fun for your dog. I reccommend items like Nylabones, and Kong Dog Toys. These chew toys are safe and sturdy.
Obedience training makes any dog a better pet because it gives you some control over behavior. I would suggest that you check your phone directory for Dog Training Schools in your area and enroll her right away. Many instructors also offer advice on how to correct specific behavior problems in addition to teaching the basic commands. This can help you fine tune your dog's behavior.

The really good news in all of this is that you have chosen a highly intelligent breed, so your dog should learn quickly if you are consistent and clear about the rules.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your new canine companion. I'm sure this situation will work out. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, We have a nearly seven-year-old Yellow Lab. She has been a wonderful dog, very loving and smart, and she has never given us any problems. I took her to obedience training through two courses when she was a puppy and ever since she has been great. I have been able to leave her in the house with the run of the house since she was 1 1/2. We had crated her before, but hasn't been in a crate since she was eighteen months old. Well, about six months ago she began taking things out of the garbage in the living room and chewing them, mainly tissues, soap boxes, etc. More recently she has been going into my children's rooms and chewing their belongings. My son had a silk top hat on his dresser, she was home alone less than 15 minutes, and she chewed a hole right through it. The following day, she took my daughter's Christmas stocking off the top shelf of a bookcase and chewed a hole through that. She also ate some candy that was inside. We have plenty of chewing toys for her that she uses when we are home or not. I am a little at my wit's end because I don't know why she has started doing this. We treat her very well, and she is one of the family. When I have discovered her many destructions, she acts very remorseful. I will bring the chewed item to her, and she won't even look at it. I tell her "no chewing" in a stern voice, and I have used Bitter Apple on her mouth when she does this. She hates the Bitter Apple, but continues to do this destructive behavior. I could understand her going after food, that's what dogs do. It's an innate reflex, but these non-food items I just can't understand. I am puzzled and don't know what to do with her next. Please help! - Posted by: caraellen@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Cara,

Well, at least part of the problem has become evident. Bitter Apple can be a great chewing deterrent when it's used correctly. The problem is that you're using it to punish your dog by spraying it in her mouth. This is not correct. What you are teaching her by doing this is that that particular bottle is connected with an unpleasant taste in her mouth. There is no connection between the spray and the items you want her to stop chewing.

What you need to do is spray the Bitter Apple on items you don't want her to chew, so she begins to associate that bad taste with helping herself to items to chew.

Go ahead and set up a few temptations for her that are coated with the spray, and confine her to a room with them. Do this often enough, and she should relent in choosing her own chew toys. If you can stay to observe and catch her in the act, after she gets a taste of the spray, you can redirect her to one of her own chewing toys for a pleasant experience. Make sense?

It's going to take a while to retrain your dog, but now that you know what you've been doing wrong, you can truly begin to address the indiscriminate chewing.

Good luck! - posted by:Kelly