If you’re looking for training tips to teach your puppy not to chew, you’re not alone! Every new puppy parent is looking for that answer. Believe me, I was there with you… three times! Here’s the problem: puppies chew. You can’t train them NOT to chew. You can, however, train them not to chew on your shoes, furniture, beloved stuffed animal, etc. Check out some dog training tips to train puppies not to chew everything in sight!
Dog Training Tips: Train Your Puppy Not To Chew
We’ve all been there: on our way home, we found our favorite things shattered by those adorable little teeth. But do not worry ! With the right training techniques and a little patience, you can help your pup get through this chewing phase and create a harmonious living environment for both of you. So, let’s get to some anti-chewing strategies!
Move valuables out of your puppy’s reach
Before you begin the training process, it’s crucial to set your pup up for success by removing all tempting chews from its reach. Think of it as a preventative attack on chewing accidents. Keep shoes, cables, and other valuables tidy and create a puppy-only area with plenty of safe toys and chews.
This is probably the easiest dog training tip to teach your pup not to chew because it wards off temptation. If you don’t want your $500 pair of shoes to become a puppy chew toy, don’t leave them where your pup can get them.
Simple enough, right? If I had a $500 pair of shoes, they’d be locked in a safe, but that’s just me! Seriously, while your pup is chewing, move as many of your valuables out of reach of your mouth. Tell your kids to put their toys away too. It’s a great way to teach your kids to clean up after themselves while training your pup!
Stock up on chew toys
Puppies explore the world through their mouths, so it’s essential to provide them with appropriate outlets for their chewing needs. Anytime a puppy starts chewing on something he’s not supposed to have, you’ll need to replace it with an acceptable item. Stock up on appropriate puppy chew toys.
Here’s the thing though: Until Spot understands the difference between his and yours, don’t give him toys that look like your child’s. Spot doesn’t understand that the purple giraffe is his, but the purple dinosaur is Junior’s. Honestly, Spot can’t even tell the difference between the two. Stick to squeaky toys and ridged “teethers.” Put some peanut butter on the puppy’s treat to help him learn which ones are his. Take a look at 5 Adorable Puppy Chew Toys for some ideas!
Keep your pup active
You know what they say about idle hands, right? Well, unused paws (and teeth) are no different. A bored puppy is a chewing puppy. On the other hand, a tired puppy is a happy puppy! Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential to prevent boredom and excess energy, which can lead to destructive chewing.
In a 2018 study published in Applied science of animal behaviorexperts explain that “Overall, dogs seem to be motivated to chew on edible and inedible objects as part of normal foraging and exploratory behavior, but chewing on objects is also observed during negative emotional states. »
Take walks, play with your pup, and spend time cuddling it. The goal is both to tire him out and to stimulate him. Plus, regular exercise is just plain good for you and your dog.
Monitor or limit freedom
When you’re unable to keep a close eye on your pup, it’s crucial to limit their access to certain areas of your home. Use baby gates or box train allow them to create a safe space where they will not be tempted to indulge in forbidden chewing. Gradually increase their freedom as they demonstrate better chewing habits and self-control.
Immediately address chewing behavior
The perfect time to remedy bad chewing is when you actually see it happening. Remove the object from your dog and replace it with its own toy. Even if you want to explode when you find your couch cushion falling apart after you get home, you just can’t. Your dog doesn’t know why you are screaming.
In fact, yelling NEVER really works anyway because your dog assumes you’re barking at him. You want your dog to equate your arrival home with happiness, not fear. Thus, positive reinforcement is the basis of effective dog training. Whenever you catch your pup chewing on an appropriate object, shower him with compliments, treats, and affection. This way, you associate the act of chewing with positive experiences, thereby reinforcing the desired behavior.
To be coherent
Consistency is vital in any dog training effort. Set clear boundaries and stick to them. If you allow your pup to chew on an old shoe one day, but reprimand him for chewing on a new one the next, it will only confuse him. Establish rules and consistently enforce them to reinforce desired behavior and discourage inappropriate chewing.
Seek help from a pro
If you can’t get your pup to stop chewing or you just don’t have the time to invest in training him yourself, consider going to a professional. Puppy training classes or professional one-on-one trainers can work wonders.
These dog training tips for teaching your pup not to chew require patience, just like any other type of dog training. Hang on. I promise you that one day your dog will stop mistaking your heirloom furniture for a chew toy!