Great Doggie Tips to Tame the Chewing
Biting and chewing is often a normal part of the behavior of puppies as they strive to learn as much as they can about their environment. As well when puppies are teething they chew because it makes the sore areas of their mouth feel better because of course they are not aware of what is going on in their mouth. Once puppies mature into adult dogs they generally leave the juvenile chewing behavior behind although some do not. Nobody wants to come home to find their favorite pair of slippers or shoes chewed up! Read on for some great doggie tips to tame the chewing.
When dogs chew items in a destructive manner it is often a result of them feeling anxious, bored or a combination thereof. If you come home to find a pillow or the leg of a living room chair destroyed then it is most likely because your dog was trying to find ways to entertain himself and past the time until you returned home. People sometimes go to extremes to amuse themselves and stave off boredom and dogs are no different! When a dog isn’t receiving enough exercise or stimulation from you he or she will often release that “pent-up energy or frustration” on just about anything in sight, be it a book, a shoe, a box or a cushion.
It is important to make exercise a regular part of your dog’s routine. Don’t just put him or her out in the backyard alone. There your dog will simply allow himself to become more stressed and anxious. Instead put on your sneakers and go for a brisk jaunt around your neighborhood and let your dog explore where it is safe to do so. If a dog park is nearby without delay take him or her there to spend some quality time and to run off some of that pent-up energy. Take a ball or Frisbee with you and enjoy a game of catch. Dogs need both mental and physical stimulation and they will not get it unless you supply it to them. As well getting his fair share of exercise and fresh air will give your dog a good workout and make him tired and in need of a nice long nap. A dog that is happy, well adjusted and well stimulated is not interested in chewing things because he has other things to keep him occupied.
Make a trip to a pet supply store and purchase some toys especially meant for chewing. Most pet stores carry a good selection of nylon and rubber toys that are durable enough to withstand the chewing habits of a dog. As well there are hollow sterilized bones for dogs that can be filled with delicious treats that are sure to make your dog happy. Examples of foods you could use include cheese, dry dog food combined with a little wet dog food and peanut butter. Don’t allow your dog to get bored by trying different kinds of food fillers to keep him interested in “the game”. An excellent idea is to wedge a piece of cheese where there is an opening inside the bone and/or toy or perhaps even freeze a small morsel of wet dog food for him to dig out.
Remember that being mentally stimulated goes a long way in keeping your dog happy and busy so buy doggie toys that will engage your dog’s intellect while you are away from home. For example many stores carry doggie puzzles that can occupy a dog’s attention for a long period of time. As well these puzzles often have a spot where you can put a treat into for your dog to fish out (treats such as Buster Cubes or Kongs). Never buy toys that contain small items such as bells, strings or feathers that can come off in a dog’s mouth and be swallowed. Just because it is sold for dogs in a pet store doesn’t mean that it is necessarily safe for your dog!
Vary the kinds of chewing toys you supply your dog with. Keep things interesting by experimenting with a multitude of odors, tastes, textures and even challenges for your pet. Add new things to your dog’s play repertoire as you see fit and take things away that he has lost interest in. Keep in mind that dogs are very fond of cow hooves, Nylabones and frozen carrots. It is a good idea to keep toys for chewing inside the house and also outside in the yard so your dog never has to give into boredom.
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