Puppies in general like to chew on everything they encounter.
Chewing is most likely to occur at the puppy stage. If a grown up adult dog chews it is probably due to boredom.
The highly active breeds may chew at any age to release some of that energy. A friend of mine tied a piece of thick rubber hose to a tree trunk, just high enough for the dog to grab. The dog spends all day swinging off this pipe and the rest of the garden is spared.
Certainly, very young puppies explore the world around them by tasting most of what they find. First of all, as a practical measure, remove anything harmful out of the dog’s way.
Dogs need to do things when they are alone. They also like to do things when they are bored. This is where the dog toys come in handy. Pick out things that the dog cannot swallow or choke on. Also toys that are not poisonous or can make your dog feel sick.
When a dog is left alone for a long time, the dog can get frustrated and bored. Dogs are not meant for a closed environment in the house / yard, so when you restrict the dog from walks or outings you can expect certain behavioural problems like chewing. If your dog likes to chew, give the dog a toy that is indestructible. Most dogs find tennis balls are great toys. Be careful though because I have heard prolonged chewing of tennis balls will wear down teeth rather quickly.
Place the toys away in a toy box every day and play with the animal as often as you can with some other toys that are separate from the toys that dog has during the day. This is very important not to mix the same toys together because you need to have certain objects that relate to different activities between you and your animal. Use old crates or a large plastic container to put the toys in, try using something that the dog is not going to destroy easily. When you leave home for a period of time place all the dog’s toys into the toy box, the idea is that when you are not home the toys will entertain the dog when it looks for something to do. If all of the other objects that the dog normally chooses are well out of the dogs reach the dog will look for other things to play with. Toys that are scattered all around the yard may not interest the dog, because he has walked past the toys and has got “bored” with them.
You may take out one or two of the dog’s toys but try not to take too many out at one time. When you give these toys to the dog it will slow the dog from chewing other things that you do not want it to chew.
Another good way is to place cut dog bones in the freezer and about half an hour before you go out take out the bones from the freezer. This will give the bones a little time to defrost, because it is not a good idea to give your dog bones that are too cold.
When you leave to go to work, go outside and give the dog a few bones, not too many otherwise the dog may bury the excess bones. Chewing bones cleans the dog’s teeth naturally. This will prevent your dog from going to the vet with bad teeth. Also you must make sure that the bones are fresh.
If you have a problem when you have to leave your dog inside and the dog chews your furniture then prevent that animal from being alone in any particular room where it can do damage. If you catch the dog doing any chewing where it should not chew, then correct it with in a harsh word, like No”.
Then remove the dog from the area for a while by locking it in a spare room or laundry. Make sure that the dog is totally isolated. You must also make sure that the dog cannot do anything in these rooms and beware that the dog may scratch at the door. If this happens place the dog where it can be isolated for punishment, and where it cannot do any damage. Leave the dog for about 15 minutes and don’t forget a bowl of water if it is a hot day.
This isolation must correspond with his punishment and must be done immediately. Do not reprimand the animal for something that it has already done, the dog cannot understand what it is getting in trouble for if it has not been caught out, so the dog will continue to have this behavioural problem.
If you have a dog that is very friendly and loves to play, all you need to do is give a slight growl / verbal correction to the dog for being naughty then take away all of the dog’s valuable possessions and toys including its bed for a few hours. This is all the punishment that dogs really need, the dog will know from your body language that you are upset with him and isolating or removing the dogs assets will add to his punishment. There is no need to belt or hit the dog for any reason. If you use aggression with this problem the condition could get considerably worse, by ways of having a submissive dog every time it greets you. You need to remember that prevention is the best way to cure these problems and give your dog plenty of attention and exercise. Dog obedience classes are fantastic ways to solve problems with your dog and a great way of giving your dog attention and exercise.
If you must leave your dog indoors during the day then crate training will definitely be an advantage if none of the above work.
Trouble shooting.
* Remove all objects that you do not want your dog to destroy when correcting this behavioural problem.
* Place a toy box with the dog’s toys in the box out in the yard, which can be at easy reach for the dog.
* Remember to place all the toys except for a few in the toy box before you leave home.
* Remember to pick up all the toys when you arrive home and use different toys that are not in the box for you and the dog to play with.
* Bones can be used to keep a dog occupied for a short period while you go out.
* Crate training (kenneling) or providing a proper kennel run has loads of advantages as long as exercise is given each day.
