“Tricks & Tips To Help Puppies From Chewing Everything”
Due to their natural inclination, puppies often chew indiscriminately, causing frustration for owners and potential harm to household items. Here are some tricks and tips to help stop your puppy from chewing everything in sight:
- Provide appropriate chew toys: Offer your puppy a variety of chew toys that are safe and durable, and rotate them regularly to keep your puppy interested. Make sure that the toys are appropriate for your puppy’s size and strength.
- Exercise and mental stimulation: Ensure that your puppy gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day, as boredom and pent-up energy can lead to excessive chewing.
- Supervise your puppy: Keep your puppy in a safe, supervised area when you are not able to directly monitor them. This will help prevent them from accessing items they shouldn’t be chewing on.
- Discourage inappropriate chewing: When you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t, interrupt them with a loud noise and redirect their attention to a suitable chew toy. Avoid punishing them, as this may only increase their anxiety and chewing behavior.
- Train “leave it”: Teach your puppy the “leave it” command to discourage them from chewing on inappropriate items. This command can be helpful in situations where your puppy is about to chew on something they shouldn’t.
- Address underlying causes: If your puppy’s chewing behavior is excessive or persistent, consider consulting with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical or behavioral issues.
- Reward good behavior: Reinforce good behavior by giving your puppy plenty of praise and treats when they choose to chew on their toys instead of household items.