Dog Chewing Training Tips 

Sit Stay Fetch is the top solution for stopping your dog from chewing. Learn step-by-step techniques to stop this unwanted behavior quickly and easily. In addition to stopping your dog from chewing, Sit Stay Fetch will cover virtually every behavioral issue you may have as a dog owner. This resource is the ultimate in dog training online. Click here to learn more about Sit Stay Fetch ...

Just like barking, dogs chew. It is as natural for them as tail-wagging. If you have a dog, expect chewing. Understand that they do not chew because they are angry or being spiteful. Dogs do not chew for malicious reasons. They chew just because they are dogs.

There are however, things that may encourage dogs to chew in destructive ways. Dogs that are lonely, bored, frustrated, anxious and restless tend to chew simply because they are trying to help themselves feel better. It's a form of "occupational therapy" dogs may do to relieve stress and release energy.

If you come home and your dog has chewed something to shreds, do not punish the dog. He will then begin to associate you coming home with punishment and a host of additional behavioral problems will be born.

Tips to stop dog chewing:

•  Provide plenty of chew toys. This is especially important with puppies. Puppies will chew anything they can get their teeth on. Puppies explore the world around them by tasting whatever they can find. They also chew to relieve the discomfort of teething. In that vein, if you have a puppy make sure you remove anything harmful from the dog's reach. Put electrical wiring behind furniture, put cleaning supplies out of reach and clean small objects off the floor. If you catch your puppy chewing on something inappropriate, do not scold him, just remove it from his mouth and replace it with one of his chew toys. If he chews on the toy, give him lots of praise. Reinforce the good constantly. If you catch your puppy headed towards chewing a forbidden object, say "No!" and point out his chew toy/bone. Rotate chew toys to keep your puppies/dogs interest.

•  Punishing a dog for inappropriate chewing is seldom successful in correcting the problem. Prevention and praise are much more effective.

•  Exercise. Exercise. Exercise. A relaxed, tired dog is much less likely to have a dog chewing problem.

•  Make sure your dog is getting adequate nutrition. Dogs may sometimes chew on an item in an attempt to replace a missing nutrient form their diet. The most common sign of this is a dog that is fixated on chewing wood and/or paper.

•  Older dogs may chew because of an abscessed tooth or other illness. Have your vet do a thorough exam if you have an older dog that is chewing.

•  Bitter apple, pepper juice or lemon juice sprayed on inappropriate chewing items will deter his urge to chew them. Again, provide him with lots and lots of acceptable chew toys, rotating them often, to keep his interest high.

Remember, dogs are chewers by nature. If you need help controlling your dog's bad chewing habits (like chewing on furniture, etc...), check out the top online dog behavior resource ... Sit Stay Fetch. Click here to learn more about Sit Stay Fetch ...