I have learned the hard way how to protect my house and its contents from the sharp puppy teeth. While our children can be reasoned with, puppies only understand that they need to chew. This may be difficult for some but it was what saved my household's shoes, clothes and walls.
My Border Collie took to chewing shoes, the corners of the walls, taking quilts, clothes, and sheets off the outside clothes line, and generally making a nuisance of herself. It was my husband who came up with this bright idea after seeing our dog's reaction to spicy leftover food.
On the walls, where she was chewing we applied splashes of Tabasco and chili, on the clothes line we stuffed stockings with rags that had been soaked in Tabasco sauce and chili powder.
On all of our shoes we applied a thin spray of the same solution, the stronger the better. It only smelled for a little while and the results were that we had shoes that lasted more than 5 minutes after we got them home from the store.
She was most unimpressed and only came back a second time to try it again. The walls were the worst as she used to love chewing them. Something about the ingredients in plaster are tasty for dogs apparently.
Amazingly, almost overnight the problem with the items disappearing from the clothes stopped. We only had to put another stocking on the line for her to put her tail between her legs and disappear into her kennel. It really works, unless of course you have a chili loving dog. If that's the case you're in real trouble.
Cheers!
By Bev
I have a German Shepherd that is 6 months old and I have flowers that he ate, solar lights that he chewed up, and rocks and wood everything he sees! So then today he ate my patio screen sliding door, the net.
I don't know what to do. So I give him a little smack on the nose everytime he does anything bad. Is that dangerous?You are creating the possibility of turning your dog aggressive and a biter by smacking them on the nose not to mention making them head shy. Quick loud corrections either by voice or clapping your hands to stop the behavior instantly.
I have a 7 month old female Boxer/Pit mix who is chewing everything. We have 3 other dogs in small and large breeds who do not chew on anything. I have tried crating her as well as giving her toys and correcting her on what not to chew and what is allowed, but she still chews everything she can get a hold of. She only chews on things after we have left the house. For a while she was behaving greatly, not a chewed up thing in sight, but for the last two days she has gone back to her old habits. I really need some help. My parents said that if I don't stop her from chewing then I have to get rid of her and I can't. She is my baby and she is all I have so if anyone has any advice that will help me I would greatly appreciate it.
Your dog may be chewing because of stress.
The breed of dog you have requires an hour walk EVERY day. It can be split up into two half hour walks. This will help remove pent up energy.
The puppy also requires training and discipline. Never allow this type of dog to walk on a flexi-leash. It needs to learn to walk directly beside you, facing forward.
As far as chewing is concerned: You need to learn to claim your things and the family's things. Start by learning "drop it." When your puppy picks up a thing, stand straight up to your full height, point with your arm straight, and say "drop it!" in a firm voice. He'll know if you don't mean it. Once he drops it, take the item. NEVER take something directly from the dog's mouth, even if he lets you.
You're going to have to learn dog training- that means studying. DVDs and books are available. Your dog must learn not to jump up on people, not to chase cats or squirrels on a walk, and many other things. Large breeds can become dangerous when they get older if not properly trained.
Now you have to be very honest with yourself- are you going to be able to do all this? Not just in summer but all year round? If you feel you may not be able to find the time to put in the extra hours per week, the dog would be best rehomed when young. A large breed dog that gets bad habits or isn't trained properly when young is often destroyed as an adult because no one can control him. So be sure you can really commit to this, or find someone with experience with large breeds to adopt your pet.
A part German Shepherd puppy (about 1 year old, he is pretty big) has shown up and decided he lives with us. The only problem is that he is chewing up everything! I can't stay home and watch him 24/7. We live in the country, so he is free to roam. So far his biggest "meals" have been the wicker bench he sleeps on on my front porch, the rugs, and my flowers. I would like to keep him around, but not at the expense of my things. Now he is trying to chew the screen off my patio door. Help!
By Debbie F
Try to get him some chew toys and there is a spray you can buy to make the no-no things taste bad. put some coins or beans in a can & tape it closed when you catch him chewing something he shouldn't shake or throw the can down & say no.
How do I get my Minpin Sugar Bear to stop chewing everything up?
By sharon kramka from Mangum, OK
Hello there. Congratulations on your new addition! You're in for years of lots of love, devotion and, well, yes, a bit of training to do. However the good news is, dogs are very easy to train, especially at such a young age :o) The first thing you want to do with your puppy is remember to that he is just that, a puppy! Be sure to have plenty of appropriate chew things available for him to chew on at all times. And never, ever scold him or hit your puppy when he does anything wrong. I suggest you tell him "No" in a firm and stern voice when he does anything you do not want him to do and then direct him to the appropriate alternative and offer him lots of praise & petting as your puppy is chewing his chew toy. Tell him, in a high voice "Good boy!" and pet him, and give him tons of affection!
My theory is enforce the good behavior & ignore the negative. A great product I used to use when I was training my puppy several years ago, was called 'Bitter Apple', its sold in most any pet center. I sprayed it on the edges of sofa, the edges of the coffee table (I applied it to a paper towel 1st then wiped it along the perimeter of the tables). He really disliked the taste! It doesn't take long for a dog to get "the hint", your puppy wants nothing more than to please you & make you happy!
Good Luck!
I have a 12 week old male, Toy Poodle that chews everything. How do I keep him from chewing things that he should not chew?
By Kelly from AL
When my youngest dog was a pup he used to want to chew on everything too, especially when he was teething. I had tried yelling, swatting, putting nasty tasting stuff where he'd chew, nothing worked. Then I decided to try shock treatment! Not electric but shock as in startle. I gathered up a whole bunch of spray bottles that would spray a stream for as far as I could get them to spray. I filled them all up with water and set them everywhere where they'd be handy for me to grab real quick.
I also put a few milk bones and rawhides next to each bottle so they'd be handy too. Every time I'd catch him chewing, I didn't bother yelling or anything. I simply grabbed the bottle and gave him a good squirt! It startled him enough to get him to back off for a second. I took that second to offer him a milk bone or rawhide to chew on. It didn't take long at all before he was asking for his chew treats instead of chewing on the furniture and shoes, etc.
I have a little silky terrier. He is 8 and still chewing. He has spoiled some of my good rugs. I find when I am on the phone, he does it for attention. I have put some fluffy toys and a blanket in his bed. I always bring it to his attention when he chews. He knows when I say "bad dog." He got my sprinkler connection the other day and chewed it. When I told him off he put it back where he got it from. Be firm and persistent, but always show a lot of love.
New puppies (even some older dogs) like to chew. If you are having this problem, use "Vicks Vapor Rub". Rubbing a small amount on the surface or object you want your pet to avoid will keep them away; therefore breaking the habit.
My Pit Bull puppy is good most of the time, but he likes to destroy things. I try to get him out the habit, but it doesn't work. What do I do?
By nacole from Seattle, WA
All puppies chew ... it's like a baby teething. I mean NO disrespect, but have you given him something like a rawhide bone? I just recently heard of someone that hadn't done that for their pup and was surprised at their pup's chewing. Just do NOT ever give them something of yours to chew! That signals that what smells like you is okay to gnosh on! Good luck!
The operational word is puppy. It does pass, but put up anything you might be upset about being chewed, such as legs of a nice coffee table.
Get large bone now and then, roast it and then give it to him for 1-2 days. They do get nasty. Rawhide chews helped our lab/b.collie mix.
Your "puppy" is teething. Make sure he/she has some chew toys and gets plenty of exercise.
I have a Pit Bull puppy named Ginger. She is nearly 2 months old. When she plays or gets excited she bites. She doesn't sleep when she needs to at night. I will wake up because she is crying or is chewing things she shouldn't like blanket fluff, hair, and pillows.
She has tons of toys and I am not sure how to get her to stop. Can some one please tell me how to fix this?
