How to stop a dog from chewing on things?
You came home, and a sad picture appeared before your eyes: the apartment resembles a battlefield, where the dog sits as a proud winner in a pile of defeated enemies – gnawed things. Why does a dog chew on things and how to wean it?
Photo: google.by
How to stop a puppy from chewing on things?
If you have ever watched the behavior of puppies, then you know that they study the world just with the help of their teeth. And they study everything that these same teeth can reach. And they are completely unaware that some things are not adapted for contact with puppy teeth.
In addition, when teeth are cut, it creates a feeling of discomfort, and therefore puppies, like small children, put everything in their mouths during this period.
The best thing you can do if you leave a puppy alone at home is to put away all the things that are dear to your heart so that the baby cannot reach them.
Photo Shoot: google.by
If you are at home and can control your pet, you should use the “Rope” method proposed by Sofya Baskina. Tie a string to the puppy’s collar that will drag freely behind the baby (but never leave the string if you leave the house). If the puppy grabs a thing that does not belong to him, say “Fu!”, follow the puppy, step on the end of the rope, pull (do not pull!) the baby to you, take the thing and repeat: “Fu!” Hold the object of dispute in your hand, but do not pull it out of your mouth. Sooner or later the puppy will spit that thing out. Praise the puppy, but keep holding back so that the “bone of contention” lies in front of him. If the pet tries to grab the forbidden item again, say “Fu!” And so on until the puppy turns away from the ill-fated thing. As soon as this happens, praise the puppy, let go and take the thing to its place. If the puppy grabs the object again (and he will grab it at first, don’t hesitate!), the whole procedure is repeated.
This method will not develop a puppy’s fear of the owner (after all, the baby was not frightened, beaten or screamed), but it will give an understanding that there are prohibitions, and they remain unchanged. It will take time for the puppy to learn this, so be patient.
Of course, instead of forbidden things, the puppy should have enough attractive toys, including chewing toys. Moreover, it is better to change the toys (that is, hide those that were yesterday and offer a couple of “new” ones – for example, the day before yesterday) so that the baby does not get bored with them.
How to wean an adult dog to gnaw things?
To wean an adult dog from chewing things, it is important to understand why he does this, and work directly with the cause.
If the dog not only chews on inedible objects, but also swallows them, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible – this may be one of the symptoms diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Another reason why a dog may chew on things is stress. Chewing calms the dog, and it thus relieves the psychological state. If you punish your pet for this behavior, it causes even more distress (“bad” stress), which means the problem gets worse. Vicious circle.
Another possible reason is boredom. Yes, dogs get bored too, especially when they’re alone at home and don’t get enough physical and mental exercise.
Photo: google.by
What to do if the dog gnaws things? First of all, understand that it is necessary to work not with the symptom, but with the cause – only in this case a positive result is possible.
It is necessary to analyze whether the five freedoms of the dog are satisfied. And if not, what needs to be done to provide a four-legged friend with acceptable living conditions.
If you cannot solve the problem yourself, you may need to consult a specialist.
