Chewing on objects seems to be a matter of individual preference for dogs: some may chew for the pleasure of it, and others seem to have no need to chew whatsoever unless they’re completely bored.

The phrase “destructive chewing” may sound a bit silly, because all chewing is destructive. Your dog’s jaws are strong  and full of sharp, pointy teeth, so almost anything they chew will be damaged quickly. The type of chewing that I’m  referring to here is inappropriate chewing, when your dog chews on your possessions and household items, instead of on their own chew toys and treats.

Three Reasons Dogs Chew

• Most dogs have a natural desire to chew, because for them it’s fun, it relieves boredom and it’s a self-rewarding, self-reinforcing pastime(for example, if he’s chewing on something that tastes good.)
• Chewing gives a nervous, bored, or lonely dog an outlet for their emotions. For an anxious dog, the repetitive act of chewing is soothing.  It’s the doggie equivalent of comfort food.
• Under exercised dogs sometimes chew to burn up their nervous energy or just for something to do.

How to Prevent Destructive Chewing

Dogs can be taught not to chew, it just takes a little effort from you.

• Take control by keeping your possessions away from  your dog. You should be to dog-proof your home. Even the best-behaved dog in the world will chew in some situations. Why tempt fate by leaving your things within their reach?
• Dog-proofing your home means taking whatever you don’t want chewed, and putting it out of their reach. Think about his size and agility when deciding whether something is out of reach. If he can jump, climb, or stand on his back legs to get the desired object then it is still at risk of being chewed.
• Common items in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small crunchy appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.
• It should go without saying that all food needs to be put securely away. Dogs can be very acrobatic when there’s food at stake. If possible put all food into containers or the pantry. Rinse foods scraps off dirty plates before leaving them on the sink.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Prevent him from discovering the joys of inappropriate chewing. The more often he manages to grab a forbidden object such as  a chair-leg, a pillow, a running shoe,  the more likely he is to try it again in the future. If you can stop him from chewing your things in the first place, it’s much easier to teach him what you expect. This can mean confining him in a dog-proof area until you’re confident that he understands.

Make sure that the items your dog is allowed to chew don’t resemble forbidden items, otherwise you are setting him up for failure. Don’t give your dog cast-off clothes, shoes, or towels to chew and play with. You cannot realistically expect him to tell the difference between your current shoes and the old ones you gave him five minutes ago.

Give him lots of tasty alternatives to your things. If there is nothing appealing for that he is allowed to chew, of course he will start on the most interesting object he can find. Remember, most dogs need to chew; if he’s an adolescent (under three years) or a puppy (under one year), his needs will be even more pronounced. Have a variety of chew toys for him to gnaw on and rotate them every few days to keep things interesting for him.

Supervise your dog or puppy properly so that he can learn what you expect of him. Keeping him penned or crated is not going to solve the problem or create a happy pet. He needs to be able to explore the boundaries so that he can learn what is allowed.

If you do catch him chewing the wrong things, interrupt with a loud noise like clapping your hands or a short, sharp “NO”. Then, immediately replace the object with a dog-appropriate alternative. As soon as he chews on the allowed object, praise him lavishly. There is no better way to make your dog understand that chewing his own toys means praise from you, but everything else equals trouble.

Maintain a Productive Attitude

Above all, remember to keep your expectations realistic. You’re not perfect, and neither is your dog. It’s likely there will be least one incident where a cherished item is damaged by his curiosity.

In the early stages of your relationship, he’s still learning what you expect. It will take some time before he’s completely reliable (and even then, if  he’s left alone for too long or feels neglected, he may still choose your stuff over his to occupy his time and teeth with.) Remember to give him time to learn the rules, and plenty of positive attention to help him learn faster. And remember to take precautions and keep things out of reach until he’s got the idea of the chewing rules!

For more information click here to visit  Secrets to Dog Training.