How To Stop Your Dog Chewing Through Your Possessions

The destructive nature of dogs tends to be more obvious in puppies, but such behavior can happen with older dogs, too.

Although chewing is normal behavior in puppies, particularly when they are teething, it can also be a very effective way for a dog to gain their owner’s attention – so it’s important to tell the difference between these two activities.

Simple measures, such as providing chew toys, can make a big difference, and also save your possessions from harm.

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In the case of puppies, the desire to chew is instinctive, particularly around the age of five months old or so, when their permanent teeth are emerging from their gems, to replace their milk teeth.

This is the stage when damage, not just to items such as trainers, can be anticipated: chair legs and other furniture may soon show the indentations of your dog’s teeth as well.

It’s virtually impossible to predict what will be targeted around the home as young dogs differ in terms of what appeals to them to gnaw, but aim to prevent, or at least limit, any such damage by being aware of areas with precious items or items of particular danger to the puppy.

• Be sure to offer a good choice of chews to a young dog, and encourage him to use them.

• Don’t leave trainers and other footwear accessible to your pet at any stage.

• Most damage is likely to happen when you are out or elsewhere in the home, so do not leave a puppy in a place where he could chew any significant items.

• Be particularly careful to keep electrical flexes out of the pup’s reach, or he might electrocute himself or even start a fire if he gnaws through the cable.

Older dogs that have spent most of their life in kennels are most likely to be destructive around the home, as often they will have learnt to relieve their boredom in these surroundings by gnawing at the actual fabric of the structure.

In the home, sofas and chairs can be damaged too, when a dog is allowed to sleep on them as he is likely to scratch at the covering with his claws when he’s settling down to sleep.

Keeping your dog off the furniture from the outset is the simplest way to prevent this problem.

Destructive chewing behavior in dogs may also be reduced significantly by using kong toys. These are specially designed toys to be packed with food or treats, which he has to gnaw at to get them out. This will keep him occupied for awhile.