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I came across a unique request the other day entitled stop chewing dog.  At first I wondered if the person asking that question wanted to learn how to shot chewing on their dog.  What a concept.  Then I realized they were looking for help with getting their dog to stop chewing on everything in the house.  I hope this information will help on your quest to stop your dog from chewing. 

It is natural for puppies to chew when they are teething it helps their teeth break through the gums. However, in older dogs, they chew because they are either bored or anxious.

Dogs get bored because they have pent up energy and have run out of ways to exert that energy, so they find other things to do like chew on something (a shoe, pillow, furniture, etc).  A little exercise can help that situation.  Spend time with your dog.  Maybe take him/her for a walk or play fetch.

Discover more about how to stop your dog from chewing Now!

Some dogs have a problem with being left alone for extended periods of time.  This is known as a "spite chewer." He is upset that you have left him, so he will start chewing on something of yours as soon as you leave.   You could leave him out in the back yard, but they can still destroy property out there.  It has been known that some dogs will chew on yard furniture or anything they can get in their mouths.  Your dog needs a safe place to stay when you’re gone.  A crate is an excellent place to start.  If you leave them in a laundry room or bathroom they could destroy the door trying to get out.  This further increases their anxiety.  

By keeping your dog in a crate when you leave your house, you are not "punishing" him; rather you are keeping him in a safe and comfortable environment. You can place lots of fun chew toys in the crate to keep him occupied while you are away. When you return home let him/her out and praise them.

Prevent Chewing

There are some proactive steps you can take to help eliminate the act of chewing. These steps can be used by puppies and adult dogs.

You need to puppy-proof your home. Even if your dog is older, you still need to take precautions to make potentially-destructive objects out of your dog's reach.  Put items you do not want them to possibly chew on away (shoes, children’s toys, laundry, etc).  Keep counter tops clear of food.  Even small dogs can jump up on a counter if there is a temptation up there.

Make sure your dog has a plentiful selection of chew toys available to him at all times.   Take your dog shopping for a verity of toys.  You can never have too many toys for them to choose from.

When you leave them along it is good to keep a television or radio on. The extra background noise will help your dog feel more at ease.

Remember your dog needs exercise.   Providing your dog with frequent exercise will help him burn off excess energy that he could otherwise use towards items in your home.

Correct Chewing

It is your responsibility to initiate training to correct your dog's chewing problem. Practice this training by placing some inappropriate objects on the floor, such as a book, a shoe, etc. When he/she approaches the inappropriate object give the "leave it" command. Take the object away and replace it with a chew toy or bone. Once the dog starts chewing the chew toy or bone, praise him. Practice this training exercise several times a day with many different inappropriate objects. 

Stop chewing dog really isn't that hard to do.  You just have to know what to do and how to do it.  Just remember not to give up on your dog.  Some dogs learn faster than others, just like people do!

I hope you were looking for help on how to stop your dog from chewing, if not I have one thing to say… Stop Chewing on your Dog!

If you need help with your dog or just want to improve on his/her behavior consider visiting DIY Dog Training.

Don't let a bad habit start!

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