If your dog is tearing holes in the settee, chewing up the carpet or leaving ugly teeth marks in the table and chairs, you'll already know that its far too costly a problem to pay no attention to!
Unfortunately, chewing is standard dog behavior and it's impractical to expect them to stop chewing completely. For one thing, chewing is necessary to a puppy's development, helping to relieve teething agony and enable their teeth to come in to place. And, while a dog's drive to chew decreases with age, it might not vanish, so the very best you can aim for is to keep the dog chewing away from your furniture and focussed on other items, like their own chew toys!
A Two-Step Approach to Stop Your Dog Chewing the Furniture
Your initial step is to take rapid action to restrict any more damage, while you come to grips with the second step, which may take a little longer. Step 2 involves observing your dog carefully to identify the reasons why your dog is chewing the furniture, so that you can take the right actions to stop the chewing issues and let you to trust your dog again.
Limit the Damage Caused by Dog Chewing
Begin by taking a few of these practical steps to limit the damage due to your dog's chewing.
- Don't let your dog have unmonitored access to furniture they can chew. This means don't allow them to be in a room without anyone there to keep an eye on them.
- When you go out, limit their access to a room which has nothing in it they can damage, or utilise a dog crate or dog house run.
- Use baby gates to stop your dog accessing areas where you can not trust them, eg the dining room.
- You can try spraying furniture with chewing deterrents like Bitter Apple spray, which must be re-applied continually. Feedback indicates this does not work for all dogs as some don't appear to be worried by the taste. Remember also that it will not actually teach your dog not to chew furniture, just not that bit of furniture!
- Supply your dog with items that are hard enough and safe to chew. Many toys are all to easily gnawed to pieces and can be dangerous if they chew bits off and swallow them, so be careful what you give them.
Get to the Roots of the Dogs Chewing Problem
Your dog's chewing issues can be driven by a number of different factors, so observe your dog thoroughly and attempt to work out what lies behind your dogs chewing, before deciding how you're going to stop it.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
If your dog is only chewing things when you are out, it is possible that your dog is suffering with separation anxiety. The process of chewing will help the dog produce natural endorphins that eases their tension down, (a bit like someone chewing on their nails when nervous).
Dog separation anxiety training is the most recommended way to remove the problem and can be particularly useful when combined with showing your dog that you're the pack leader. With very anxious dogs you might need to think about using some dog separation anxiety medicine, but you should always talk about this with your vet first.
Dog Teething Issues
Puppy dog teething lasts until around 7 months and a puppy's chewing will helps ease agony, remove and loosen puppy teeth and help adult teeth come through, so if your dog is at this point, provide a lot of appropriate chew toys and give them one of these every time you notice them heading for furniture or spot them in the process of chewing your furniture. Praise them for chewing on their own toys.
Chewing for teething reasons can last as long as 1 year, with teen dogs trying to relieve the pain in their gums or jaw until all adult teeth have settled in.
Attention Seeking in Dogs
Some dogs use chewing as a method to get their owner's to pay them attention. For example, if he starts chewing on a chair leg and you react by shouting or maybe chasing him, he's worked out how it's possible to get your attention each time he needs it, and if you chase him he has also got a good game!
To stop this habit, don't pay your dog any attention for this behavior. You could try leaving the room he is in and getting out of his sight line, to show him that not only will he not get your attention but loses you altogether.
If your dog is after your attention, then at that point, he's very likely to stop chewing and follow you. Or you can take your dog by the collar and without speaking to, or looking your dog in the eye, isolate them for a little time in a crate, or room all alone. This also shows them that they stand to lose the pack for this behaviour which is something your dog will not wish to happen and so it can be a powerful motivator.
Picking the Best Approach to Dog Chewing Problems
Once you've worked out the root cause of your dog's chewing problem, it is time to get in to action. Decide what strategy you need and commit some time to it, and be commited to be patient and be determined with your dog.
Do not use punishments as most dog pros agree this approach can be counterproductive, making a dog fear you rather than teaching them what they should do. Instead, by taking a positive approach to training and using lots of positive reinforcement with praise and treats, you should be able to stop your dog chewing the furniture.
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