Dog Chewing

Is Your Dog Chewing on Your Belongings? Learn How to Prevent It

The first step towards training your dog to stop chewing is to identify his chewing habit and the reason behind it. Puppies and dogs chew on objects for several reasons and there are many ways to fix these chewing problems. But let’s start by identifying the type of destructive chewing so that you can eliminate the chewing issue.

Most chronic and destructive chewing can be motivated by one of the following factors:
1. Puppy chewers
2. Spiteful chewers
3. Jealousy chewers
4. Boredom chewers

Because puppies are young, they want to explore their new world and soothe their aching gums during their teething stage. These are the two main reasons for puppies to chew on things. Dogs between 6 months to 1 ½ years of age chew for different reasons. The most common motivational factor for these dogs is boredom but boredom can also be a motivator for puppies.

When dogs go through their adolescent stage, most of them have high levels of energy. If they don’t burn up this energy in a useful or purposeful manner, chewing and other behavioral problems can occur. Most dog owners spend a lot of time with their newly acquired pet. As the newness and excitement of the dog’s presence in the home wears off, some people do not pay as much attention to their dogs as they did when he was a new puppy. This is a reason why chewing out of boredom between puppyhood and adulthood usually occurs.

Jealousy can also be a motivating factor for chewing. Although possible with puppies, this mostly occurs in adult dogs. Jealousy can be triggered by a new pet, a new baby or anything else that the family has turned their attention to. This leaves the dog feeling alienated.

Dogs can start to chew on books if they believe that the books are the reason why you no longer spend enough time with them. Does your dog chew on your shoes? Maybe they think that you prefer the shoes to them as you always take the shoes out with you when you leave the house. Your dog wants some attention and he will take his jealousy and frustration out on those shoes whenever he can.

If your dog is jealous and your belongings are suffering, the simplest way to stop the dog from chewing on your things is to spend more time with your dog. If you’re planning on reading for a little while, spend 15 minutes playing with your pet before you open the book. Take your dog out for a walk, brush his coat or pet him before leaving the house. He will be glad to get your attention and that may be enough to prevent him from chewing again.

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