ADVICE COLUMN
“ What ’ s Up
With My Pup ?”
QUESTION FROM CHEWED OUT : I know that it ’ s normal for a puppy to chew on things around the house , but it has gotten out of control . Today my little guys stole my wife ’ s shoe right off her foot and went to a hiding place to chew it up . How do I stop that behavior ?
ANSWER : You probably won ’ t be surprised to hear that this is one of the most common questions new dog owners have . In no way does that solve the problem , but it does help to understand that the behavior is completely normal and , like a lot of things with dogs , it can be corrected with patience , love , and training .
Here Are Some Things To Consider Adding Or Changing In Your Routine :
Provide Appropriate Chew Toys : Puppies , like children , have short attention spans , so it ’ s important to be sure your puppy has a variety of safe and durable chew toys to redirect their chewing behavior away from inappropriate items like furniture or shoes . Toys that can be filled with treats or that are frozen provide added interest and satisfaction .
Supervise And Manage : Keep a close eye on your puppy , especially during times when they are likely to chew , such as when they ’ re bored or teething . Use baby gates or playpens to restrict access to areas where they might spot some tempting items .
Use Positive Reinforcement : This is one of the most powerful and yet most overlooked forms of training . Look for opportunities to praise your little pup when you catch them doing something right . When they are chomping on their rope toy or that fuzzy pig you bought them , be sure to give them an attaboy or attagirl .
Provide Mental And Physical Stimulation : Be sure your puppy gets enough exercise and mental stimulation through play and training sessions . When in doubt , take them for an extra-long walk . A tired puppy is less likely to engage in destructive chewing out of boredom .
Discourage Inappropriate Chewing : If you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn ’ t , interrupt that behavior with a firm No and redirect their attention to an authorized toy . This positive training method will help your little pup to start distinguishing between what is allowed and what isn ’ t . If you are firm and yet positive , you will reinforce your role as the alpha and they will learn .
Make Inappropriate Items Unattractive : This is not my favorite method , but if you are desperate , you can apply taste deterrents ( available at pet stores ) to items your puppy frequently chews on to make them less appealing . You can also try covering or temporarily removing items until your puppy learns what they ’ re allowed to chew . This method should be short term only as it doesn ’ t really assist in the behavior modification you ’ re looking for .
Address Teething Discomfort : Be aware that puppies may chew more during teething to relieve discomfort . You can provide chilled teething toys for them to chew on or consider consulting your veterinarian for other teething relief options if it becomes too big a problem .
Consistency Is Key : Like all aspects of training you do , be consistent in applying these strategies and be patient with your puppy ’ s progress . It takes time for puppies to learn appropriate chewing behavior , so continue reinforcing positive habits while discouraging unwanted ones .
It won ’ t be too long before your wife gets her shoes back !
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MEET LEN SILVERMAN Len Silverman has lived with animals his whole life . From a young age , there was always a cat on the prowl around the house , but he discovered his true love when his folks brought home their first dog , Poncho , who was a mess . Very lovable but completely untrained . Now with his family in Nashville , Len enjoys having a golden retriever around and finds that they are always ready to show you some love . He has discovered that when dogs understand their role in the family , everyone is a lot happier . In his spare time , Len likes to paint , but he hasn ’ t quite gotten the hang of animal portraits . . . not yet .