Significant chewing occurs in puppies under one year of age.
When dogs are young, usually less than a year old, it is quite normal for them to engage in a lot of chewing. Beyond that age, and typically around six months, puppies can begin to be taught not to chew on everything in sight. This is an important behavior to teach for the safety of all items in the home that people hold dear, and also for the sake of the dog, who may accidentally chew on or choke on dangerous items.
Providing a dog with acceptable chew toys can help reduce bad chewing habits.
Dog chewing can continue long after the first year for a variety of reasons, usually boredom or lack of exercise. Tired dogs don’t chew, so it’s important to make sure they get adequate exercise every day. A few hours of walking or an hour at the dog park can be a great way to reduce chewing behavior, because the dog normally prefers to sleep at home rather than attack a shoe or sofa to relieve boredom and excess Energy.
Getting a dog plenty of exercise will help reduce negative chewing behavior.
The real key to preventing your dog from biting, aside from getting him plenty of exercise, is providing constant supervision. It can be assumed that a dog that walks away from the owner will probably find him something to chew on. Keep the dog on a leash when you’re away and keep an eye on him when you’re home. This gives owners a chance to make a quick fix if the dog starts chewing on something.
Monitoring and correcting the dog for unacceptable chewing can help stop the behavior.
The corrections can be varied. They may include a flick of the eyelash and the word “No!” Alternatively, dogs may hate the sound of coins in a can and the can can be shaken every time it starts to chew. Some people prefer a stream of water directed at the dog. Unacceptable solutions include yelling at the dog or hitting the dog, as this may force the dog to chew more.
A crate is a safe place to keep a dog when the owner is unable to care for it.
The other half of that equation is giving the dog acceptable things to chew on. Have some specific chew toys, which should never be old clothes, shoes, or anything that has belonged to its owner. Whenever a chewing behavior occurs, make the correction, give the dog the designated toy, and if the dog catches it, treat or praise it as well. That way, a dog can quickly learn that there is a difference in the home between acceptable and unacceptable chew items.
It may take a few months for the dog to bite completely, and it’s a good idea to have a space for the dog that is safe when the owner can’t keep an eye on it. Cages are excellent for this purpose and you must also bear in mind that it is dangerous for the dog to be in areas of the house where he can chew on anything that is not safe. Be sure to remove things like electrical wiring from the floor and try not to leave any socks or shoes that the dog might find attractive. Outdoors, make sure chewing plants are non-toxic, as poisoning can be a concern.
In general, with attention, correction, replacement, and exercise, most dogs will end the chewing behavior. If it continues, consider consulting a dog trainer or dog behaviorist for further advice. However, most people can resolve these bad habits with a little time and attention.