How on earth do you get a dog to stop chewing?

[laurasmithuk]

everyone had helped you by suggesting ideas. it seems to me that you need to focus highly on this dogs issues by getting to the root of the problem and providing lots of alternative things for dog to chew on..............

suggesting thta you put the dog down because he has some issues is not really a sensible suggestion...................

 

[laurasmithuk]

before my dog buzz came to live with us he lived in a home where he was locked in a single room 24/7 and when he was there he would chew constantly so the owners suggestion was to lock him in a small cage! he is a german sheppard collie cross that is five years old has has so much energy............ when he first came to us we were told by previous owner that he was a heap of trouble and could not be left alone at all...............

we found this to be 100% untrue due to the fact we spent alot of time training him and making sure he got the loving attention he deserved! i would never dream of saying i would put him down if he misbehaved even if it is as bad as you say it is! just spend lots of time with him and try everything mentioned to stop him chewing..but this will take time

please whatever you do dont put him down, take him to be re-homed if you cant cope!

 

[steppy104]

I'm not the one who'd want to put him down. I'd chose rehoming over killing him anyday.

Just like I said, my dads a freakin bull headed idiot.

I'm not exactly sure what his solution would be other than killing it, but I'm going to say screw what he says and as soon as I can, I will go buy him some toys.

Ya see...He thinks he knows everything about dogs because he's raised a few show dogs and a few hunting dogs.

Not to mention he's a hick, and one of those people who thinks animals are things without feelings.

I'm about as disguisted as anyone about his thoughts.

 

[Isis_Nebthet]

They make bitter, sour, and hot sprays. Depends on what your dog doesn't like they might help.

The better solution is to get the good toy then when you see him chewing tell him no and give him his toy. I would tend toward using the sprays (or what angel lady suggested) on things that are expensive or important (cords ect) as extra insurance that he doesn't destroy them.

 

[Bloo]

They make bitter, sour, and hot sprays. Depends on what your dog doesn't like they might help.

The better solution is to get the good toy then when you see him chewing tell him no and give him his toy. I would tend toward using the sprays (or what angel lady suggested) on things that are expensive or important (cords ect) as extra insurance that he doesn't destroy them.

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The only thing I have against those sprays is that the vast majority are oil based and leave everything sticky and if not, they completely stink the place out and it's really gross

 

[Angel Lady]

I dont think them sprays work anyways. I bought some stuff to keep my cats from scratching up my furniture and to tell you the truth it made them worse. So I took some vinegar and mixed it with some water and sprayed it where I didnt want my cats to be and it worked better than anything I have ever tried. I never thought of this before If it worked that good on a cat then what would be the harm in trying it on a dog..

 

[OohFeeshy]

As above really, get him at least one chew toy and when he starts chewing something, say No, pull him away and give him the chew toy. Or something like that. Or maybe you should try and get something that will take him a while to work out, like one of those balls with the hole in that you put treats in and it has to be rolled for treats to come out, but more dog orientated. If your dad feels that way, when he goes on about it tell him its your dog and you can do what you like with it or something. Or if he doesn't want you buying anything then say you'll use something of his as a chew toy

 

[Mina]

I lived on a ranch in West Texas for most of my life. We actually bred Blue Heelers for a while, trained them, and sold them to other ranchers so I know what I am talking about. I personally have bred, raised and trained over 75 herding dogs. If your dad is refusing to listen to the advise on here he is ignorant, because most of it is accurate. I have never had a problem with any of my dogs chewing on stuff after I did these things.

Always put down bones and rawhide chews for them, dogs need to chew or else they will get seriously bad tartar and tooth decay. Wild dogs always chew and eat the bones of their kills and only in the very old or very ill will you find poor dental hygene. You should have several around to reduce fighting over the treat. The reason dogs fight over 'food like toys' is because they precieve them as a shortage if there is only one or two and instinct is to protect the nutrition that they see.

Do not strike the dog when he is chewing on something, this will cause him to be hand shy and may cause agressive behavior. Instead, talk to him with a sharp "no", a squirt from a water bottle if he dislikes water or one filled with vinegar/water solution because the strong smell stings thier nose, or a loud clap to startle him, do not touch him as this will cause him to associate being in trouble with touch or will make him associate the undesirable behavior with attention. Instead, offer him a toy, treat or chew and then pet and praise him when he plays with that.

If his undesirable behavior continues you may need to take him to a vet as it may be some sign of illness and it is his only way of distracting himself. There could also be some sort of attractant on the things he chews, so wipe cords down with vinegar just in case of there being some sort of yummy residue on there.

The dogs behavior is never his fault, there is always an outside factor causing his stress making him preform this poor behavior, it is your job as a good pet parent to figure out what it is.

I wish you the best of luck and feel free to PM me if you need further advise.

 

[rdd1952]

It sounds like he's just a young dog needing a lot of attention. Even if there are people around, they can still get bored.

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I agree. My son and daughter-in-law have a puppy that is about 9 or 10 months now. He is just a big clumsy puppy and loves to play. He stays in the bathroom during the day while they are at work. At least he did until he pulled up half the linoleum flooring one day (naturally I got to spend the next weekend putting them new flooring down in the bathrom). Now he stays in his cage/pen which they have had to fix because he figured out how to get out of it. Puppies like that are 100% energy. They want to play and will find something to play with even if it means chewing something up. Please don't have him put to sleep. Just give him time to settle down.

 

[steppy104]

Bought him a chew toy, and he loves it.

Thanks for all the tips n stuff guys. I appreciate it.

Blue has been occupied with his new toy nearly all day....In fact it's already almost gone!

Welp, I guess I gotta buy more.

Toodles everyone!

 

[laurasmithuk]

from reading alot of your previous posts regarding dogs it seems as though you may well have a liking to attention seeking! i am a GREAT animal lover and reading posts about puttings dogs to sleep for no reason really upsets and affects me a great deal..........

on more than one occasion you have mentioned putting your dog down as though its something that needs to be done for some un-known reason. my dog also had same prob with ligaments as yours did........... like you we could not afford it but the thought of putting an animal to sleep because it has hurt itself is discusting! the only way this would be in the best interests of the animal is if it could not be treated (AND NOT FOR FINANCIAL REASONS) there are many agencies both in uk and abroad that will help with costs or re-home dog!

in future can you please refrain from being so liberal with the use of the words "putting down" as this maywell upset a great deal of people.....

 

[steppy104]

"on more than one occasion you have mentioned putting your dog down as though its something that needs to be done for some un-known reason. my dog also had same prob with ligaments as yours did........... like you we could not afford it but the thought of putting an animal to sleep because it has hurt itself is discusting! the only way this would be in the best interests of the animal is if it could not be treated (AND NOT FOR FINANCIAL REASONS) there are many agencies both in uk and abroad that will help with costs or re-home dog!"

Yup. Thats right. Not my doing. All my idiotic dad. His solution to everything is to kill it.

in future can you please refrain from being so liberal with the use of the words "putting down" as this maywell upset a great deal of people.....

He threatens to put him down, so I don't know how else to say 'put down'.

And my apologese for barking at ya earlier on. I was a tad upset then.

 

[Angel Lady]

Now I dont want to have to close this topic but I will if this continues. steppy I have read a couple of your post before and you do use the word put it down. These type of words do tend to get some people upset. I dont want any conflict in here. I hope your dog stops it chewing up things. Now lets leave it at that.

 

[steppy104]

Please, point out where I said that I DON'T use it.

Like I said, I'll say it again, my dad threatens to put him down. PUT HIM DOWN. WORD FOR WORD.

Do you want me to alter what my dad says in some other way of saying 'put down' cause thats what he says and thats what I'm telling you.

Euthenize? Is that better? Same thing as put down. I don't know what the heck you want me to say.

"but I will if this continues."

If what continues? Seriously, theres something wrong if you think this is some kind of arguement so bad it needs to be closed down, cause really, there isn't much debate here at all. Definetly not so bad that it would need to be closed.

 

[Angel Lady]

This part of the forum has been runned without any conflict at all and that is the way I want to keep it. All I am saying is some people dont like to use the word put down. All the member in thinks as thier pets as people . And most of them refer to thier pets as babies. I have heard that word used a lot. I am not going to say anymore on the subject. But I want this to remain about the dog that you posted about and nothing else. No conflicts between members in here.