Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Stop the Chewing
If you have a new puppy, you know about chewing, but chewing can be a problem with dogs of all ages. Though owners should be cognizant of a dog’s need to chew, chewing up valuable things should not continue. Chewing is a healthy and natural activity for dogs, and with some proper action owners can minimize the amount of destructive chewing.
First, it is important to know why dogs chew. Though not the only reason, teething is a huge cause of chewing. Between the ages of 3 months and 7 months, dogs chew on various objects to loosen and sooth the gums around the baby teeth. This makes the teeth fall out easier to make room for the new teeth. The next phase of chewing is considered exploratory. Human children use their hands to explore while dogs use their mouths. Beyond these to physiological needs to chew, many dogs continue to chew as a stress reliever. Chewing has a calming affect on dogs and produces a release of endorphins. Simply put, chewing can be a mechanism for reducing anxiety.
Because many owners only see chewing as destructive, the problem can easily intensify. It is important for owners to recognize chewing as a natural occurrence and begin to refocus their pet’s chewing on less destructive objects. Dogs must be taught the difference between what is yours and what is theirs, and there are several methods for establishing these definitions.
Toys should be a special reward for a dog, and they should have only three toys in reach at a time. Too many toys can cause complacency. It is important to play with the dog using these toys on a regular basis, which gives them a positive impression of the toys. A dog will even associate these toys with attention from an owner, and they will often chew on these toys while the owner is away. If sparking a dog’s interest in toys is difficult, there are toys that have treats or smells inside of them that add incentive. Obviously, try to remove any valuable items from the reach of a dog, and praise them lavishly for choosing to play with their toys or chew correct objects. If the dog goes to chew something wrong, immediately give them a firm “NO” and give them something better to chew. Redirecting their attention and giving them positive reinforcement is the best solution.
Positive rewards in the form of treats and praise are the best ways to train a dog for any purpose. When it comes to chewing, this is very true. If a dog is scolded every time they chew but never experience positive chewing, they will be afraid to chew in your presence. This will cause them to chew when the owner is not around. All dogs must chew, but it is up to the owner to decide what it is they choose.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
First, it is important to know why dogs chew. Though not the only reason, teething is a huge cause of chewing. Between the ages of 3 months and 7 months, dogs chew on various objects to loosen and sooth the gums around the baby teeth. This makes the teeth fall out easier to make room for the new teeth. The next phase of chewing is considered exploratory. Human children use their hands to explore while dogs use their mouths. Beyond these to physiological needs to chew, many dogs continue to chew as a stress reliever. Chewing has a calming affect on dogs and produces a release of endorphins. Simply put, chewing can be a mechanism for reducing anxiety.
Because many owners only see chewing as destructive, the problem can easily intensify. It is important for owners to recognize chewing as a natural occurrence and begin to refocus their pet’s chewing on less destructive objects. Dogs must be taught the difference between what is yours and what is theirs, and there are several methods for establishing these definitions.
Toys should be a special reward for a dog, and they should have only three toys in reach at a time. Too many toys can cause complacency. It is important to play with the dog using these toys on a regular basis, which gives them a positive impression of the toys. A dog will even associate these toys with attention from an owner, and they will often chew on these toys while the owner is away. If sparking a dog’s interest in toys is difficult, there are toys that have treats or smells inside of them that add incentive. Obviously, try to remove any valuable items from the reach of a dog, and praise them lavishly for choosing to play with their toys or chew correct objects. If the dog goes to chew something wrong, immediately give them a firm “NO” and give them something better to chew. Redirecting their attention and giving them positive reinforcement is the best solution.
Positive rewards in the form of treats and praise are the best ways to train a dog for any purpose. When it comes to chewing, this is very true. If a dog is scolded every time they chew but never experience positive chewing, they will be afraid to chew in your presence. This will cause them to chew when the owner is not around. All dogs must chew, but it is up to the owner to decide what it is they choose.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dogs for sale, puppies for sale
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]