Puppy Chewing and the Need to Gnaw

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Puppy Chewing and the Need to Gnaw

Puppy chewing is a natural and fundamental behavior that young pups start to do when teething. The need to gnaw brings comfort to the gums and is their way of discovering the many different things that the human lifestyle has to offer.

Bottom line, they need to chew, so let them chew. They will chew a lot for the first year, and occasionally thereafter as they start to mature. The need to chew doesn't end, it simply isn't as intense as when their teething.

The best way to avoid any problems, as I mentioned on my page,"Be Puppy Prepared" is to get a few chew sticks or chew toys before you bring her home.

This way, when she starts teething, she will be happy and content, chewing on the chew toy you picked out for her.

Being prepared, knowing what to expect, and training as soon as you bring her home is the key, because once your puppy has a chew toy to chew on, she shouldn't be looking elsewhere to find something to chew on that is off limits.

Puppy chewing doesn't become a problem until your puppy decides to chew on things you don't want her to chew on.

Some puppies and dogs tend to chew up everything in sight, which can sometimes be dangerous, especially in the common household.

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It is best to hide all electrical cords, or keep them out of reach, and to keep a tidy house. The more things on your floor, the more things your puppy will want to discover, less is best.

Puppies and dogs get bored, due to being left alone too long, and not having enough playtime, and or exercise.

Have some fun when training and mix it up with playtime.

Now, I now for a fact that most of us do not live in a perfect world. You're at home, on your computer, or watching the latest reality show, and you turn your attention to your puppy who is now chewing on your favorite shoe.

First of all, don't get mad, angry, or upset. Remember the need to chew, and how you need to be a responsible dog owner.

Done is done, start paying closer attention to your four-legged wonder, or put your shoes in the closet, and close the door.

Now get up calmly, no fussing, get her chew toy, a treat, go to your puppy, say, "Give", ask nicely, and if she drops it, take it, give her a treat, and replace the shoe with the chew toy.

Simple, no stress on your puppy, she has something to chew, and you get to buy a new pair of shoes, life goes on.

Getting overly excited by running towards her, screaming, pulling it away from her, is not a good training technique, but more like a game of catch me if you can, I want to play.

Don't give up your shoe, a common mistake here is, since your shoe is already ruined, and she is happily chewing, why not let her have it.

Once a puppy gets the idea that it is okay to chew on shoes, they get this addiction of some sort, almost like me needing a cup of coffee every morning, and she will get a liking to the sight, smell and the taste of shoes.

Your puppy will then think that it is okay to chew on shoes.

You may enjoy going to the shoe store at the mall, but chew toys don't cost as much, and you need to think about your family or friends that come over for a visit, puppy chewing could get costly.

If you keep letting her slide, time goes by, she gets older and wiser, and shoes get to be a bore. She may turn her puppy chewing needs to the legs of the dining room chairs, the draperies, the sofa, the carpeting, and you get the picture, you can't throw those in the closet.

It's best to instill a positive behavior in the early stages and train your puppy using chew sticks or chew toys.

Puppy chewing will last awhile. Be attentive, patient, consistent and correct her right away, the right way.

There are a wide variety of chew sticks and chew toys to choose from to aid puppy chewing.

Knotted ropes, soft toys that make noise, ones that can be frozen, and some that can be stuffed with treats, peanut butter, or cheese that can keep them busy for a couple of hours.

Get a few, mix them up, exchange with different ones every few days or so, to avoid boredom. If she has a favorite one, then by all means, let her have it.

Puppy Biting? Ouch, That Hurts!!

Puppy Teeth, and a Teething Scheldule for your dog.

Return from Puppy Chewing to Training a Puppy or a Dog

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