Steps you Can Take if you Want to Stop your Dog from Chewing
Inappropriate chewing is a very common issue in younger dogs. It actually stems from the fact that puppies have to use their mouths as a way to explore the world and it is a very normal behaviour. If you are finding that your puppy chewing is becoming more and more of a problem and you are concerned about your property being destroyed, then you have nothing to worry about. You are not alone in this position, but there are things that you can do to try and curb the behaviour.
Rule out Medical Issues
The first thing that you need to do is try and rule out any medical issues. You have to make sure that your dog does not have a nutritional deficiency. it may be that the nutritional deficiency is caused by a bad diet or that they have internal parasites. Gastrointestinal problems can cause a lot of nausea and you may find that your dog is chewing as a coping mechanism. It’s vital that you take the time to make an appointment if you want to stop this from becoming such an issue in the future.
Puppy Proofing
It’s vital that you look around your environment so that you can see if there are any positive dangers that could end up posing as an issue for your puppy. Place any household cleaners or even chemicals out of reach and also make sure that you cover any electrical cords. If you don’t, then you may find that you end up experiencing more issues in the future. Block access to any rooms that might not have been puppy-proofed as well, or think about putting your dog in a crate when you are not around. You need to know though- that crate training will take time. If you intend on crate-training your dog then make sure that they have a nice, comfortable blanket in there. You can find some fun examples on Woof Blankets if you want to find one that reflects your dog’s personality.
Encourage Chewing
This may sound strange, but you do need to encourage them to chew. Your puppy will have a set of teeth erupting and this is very painful for them. You need to give them an outlet so that they can chew the right toys, at the right time. If you live near to a pet shop, then make sure that you take the time to find them toys that are suitable for their size as well as ones that are suitable for their age. A Great Dane puppy will need something much bigger than a Jack Russell puppy. It’s also a good idea for you to keep your puppy supervised if possible, when they are chewing the item. If you don’t then you may find that you end up really putting them in harm’s way. After all, no toy is indestructible and if your pup gets a bit too excited, then they can easily break the toy or cause damage enough to worry you.
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