Chewing
Photo by Keith Cannataro | www.mrhoni-photography.com
Most dogs love to chew but destructive chewing directed towards objects other than chew toys Is often a sign of a deeper problem such as separation anxiety. Chewing is a potent stress reliever and releases pleasurable endorphins into the body, while destructive chewing on doors or window frames can be a sign that a dog is trying to get out of the home. As with any behavioural issue, take your dog for a full medical check up to rule out any medical causes that might be exacerbating the behavior.
How Can I Stop My Dog From Chewing?
- Regardless of the cause, exercise and enrichment are key to modifying the desire to chew. A tired dog is a happy dog and has less energy to indulge in destructive behavior.
- Create a dog-proof room or use baby gates to keep your dog in a safe chew- resistant area when unsupervised. Make sure this room is close to busier areas of the home so your dog does not feel isolated.
- Provide appropriate chew toys for your dog to enjoy but make sure they are durable and able to withstand heavy chewing.
- Find appropriate outlets for your dog’s energy. Physical exercise is important but mental stimulation is crucial. Enrich her life by playing fun games and giving her puzzles and interactive toys to play with.
- Find a sport you and your dog love to do to help release any pent up stress or tension she might be feeling.
- Hire a positive trainer to help if the above suggestions are unsuccessful as the chewing might be related to a deeper anxiety issue.
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Did you end the chewing? I'm currently helping an elderly couple deal with the 8 yr old Beagle the adopted recently. The dog had been in a hunting kennel (she has the notched ears) but was attacked by another do when animal control brought her in. The vet thinks she was severely shaken by the neck since she appears to have spinal cord damage and hind end ataxia causing her to tip over frequently. Now that we have gotten rid of the massive worm load (causing anemia and cough) she is much more active and has started destructive chewing even when her owners are home with her.
She gets several long walks on the beach plus shorter potty walks, has a basket of various dog toys that she spreads throughout the house. But then she will go under the desk and chew computer cords or electrical cords (luckily it was unplugged).
They love her very much but are getting frustrated with her destruction of shoes, books etc. i want to help them keep her. If she went back to the shelter she would be euthanized as the shelter has deemed an older, damaged beagle less adoptable.
Any ideas? I'm getting very frustrated.
I'd bring her to my house to work with her but I have 6 dogs, 2 of which have dog aggression issues.
my dog chews on plastic or anything that she can put in her mouth,she is to skiddish to walk .she came from a hoarders house and I guess she had to do what she had to do to survive.I need some help or I,m going to have get rid of her ,she really is a sweet dog but she is so destructive