How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Chewing And Eating Everything

Dogs make wonderful pets. Most dogs get very attached to their human family, and they have no problem showing love and affection. When you adopt a dog, there will always be someone waiting for you to come home. Most dogs get very excited when their human family gets home, which feels great.

Although there are great things about having a dog, there are a few downsides. Your dog will need to go for a few walks every day, even if it is cold or raining outside.

Many dogs love to chew, which is why they love bones and chew toys so much. Some dogs chew more than just their toys, and they chew their human family’s belongings, furniture, and even the walls. If your dog does this, don’t try re-homing him just yet. There are a few things that you can do to keep your dog from chewing up your things, which can save your home, your sanity, and your relationship with your dog.

If you find yourself asking how do I get my dog to stop chewing and eating everything, read on.

 

Tip 1: Pay Attention

The first step in preventing your dog from chewing on your belongings is to pay attention to what he is doing. If you are going to break the habit, it is essential that you catch your dog in the act. If you don’t see what he has done until long after, he won’t remember what he did. This will make yelling at him or punishing him useless and even cruel.

Young dogs need to be watched the same way young children do so that you can see him doing something wrong and stop him.

 

Tip 2: Keep Your Dog Confined

If you leave the house and cannot be home to keep an eye on your dog, it is a good idea to keep him confined while you are gone. If you have a dog crate large enough, you can put him in there until you get home. If you don’t have one or feel bad about keeping your dog confined, you can confine him to one room where he cannot do much damage. If you are going to keep your dog confined in one room, there are a few tips that you can follow to make the time easier on him.

Keep some of his favorite toys in the room to keep him busy while you are gone.

Make sure he has access to food and water.

Rub a blanket between your hands or on your shirt and give it to your dog. Your scent will make him feel less alone while you are away.

Keep a TV or radio on so your dog can hear it. The sound of the TV will make him feel less alone.

If you are leaving him alone at night, leave a lamp on for him. If it is dark in the room, he can feel scared and alone.

 

 

Tip 3: Give Your Dog Appropriate Chew Toys

Giving your dog chew toys will help him stop chewing on things that he shouldn’t. When you choose your dog’s chew toy, you need to choose wisely. It is best to buy toys that are designed for chewing. This will prevent your dog from swallowing or choking on small parts.

Dog toys with squeakers aren’t the best option. If your dog chews the toy to pieces and they swallow the squeaker, you will end up taking a trip to the emergency vet.

If you are going to get your dog a rubber toy, make sure that it is durable enough where he cannot tear it. If he does and he swallows a piece, he could choke, or it can cause intestinal issues.

You should never give your dog old socks or shoes t5o chew on because this will only confuse him. He won’t understand why you are allowing him to chew on one pair of shoes, but you are getting upset when he chews on others. Your dog won’t understand the difference.

Finally, you should always check your dog’s toys. If they look like they are falling apart, it is best to throw the toy away and replace it with a new one. This will prevent choking and intestinal upset.

The best chew toy for dogs of any age is nylon bones. They are very durable, and you won’t need to worry about the toy damaging your dog’s teeth.

 

Tip 4: Put Your Things Away

This tip will keep your dog from chewing on your belongings, and it will also help keep your house clean. If your dog walks into a room and there are shoes, clothes, or toys lying around, your dog will be tempted to chew on them. If you and your family get in the habit of putting your things away, your dog won’t be tempted to chew, and your home will be more organized.

It is even more important that you put hazardous things away, such as medicine bottles and cleaning products. This is essential for the health and safety of your dog.

 

Tip 5: Divert Your Dog’s Attention

If you catch your dog chewing on something that he shouldn’t be, you should first interrupt him and take the object away. Next, give him one of his chew toys. This will show him that he shouldn’t be chewing on your belongings, and there are other objects that are acceptable. When your dog starts chewing on his toy, be sure to praise him. Let him know that he is a good dog when he chews on his own toys. You can even offer your dog a treat as a reward for dropping what he wasn’t supposed to chew on and moving onto his own toys. This is a great way to teach your dog that he cannot chew on anything that he wants to.

 

Tip 6: Make Sure He Gets Plenty Of Exercise

Dogs need plenty of exercise to remain happy and healthy. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, he will become restless. This restlessness can cause your dog to become destructive. Dogs don’t behave this way to punish you for not taking them out enough. They do it as a way to release their frustration, making them feel less restless.

It is important that you take your dog for at least one good walk every day. If you have a larger breed dog, he will need more than one walk to burn off some of his energy and keep him from becoming restless.

 

Tip 7: Yelling and Slapping Won’t Work

Some people believe that tapping a dog on the tip of the nose when they are doing something wrong is an effective way to discipline them. This is not true. Not only will it hurt your dog when you hit his nose, but the violence won’t change his behavior. All this will do is make your dog less trusting of you, and it can break the strong bond you have with him.

Screaming at your dog also won’t work. When you start screaming, your dog won’t know why, but he will get scared. The last thing you want is for your dog to be afraid of you. You are the person your dog will trust the most. If that trust gets broken, he can become timid and even depressed.

As hard as it is not to get upset and yell, it is essential that you contain yourself. Instead, just divert him away from the item he is chewing on and distract him with a toy that he is allowed to have.

 

Tip 8: Be Patient

It will take time for you to get your dog to stop chewing up things that he shouldn’t. While he is learning right from wrong, it is important that you are patient. If you are willing to give him time, your dog will eventually get over his chewing habit on things. Don’t give up on him if he isn’t learning after a couple of weeks. If you remain patient, he will grow out of the habit, and you will have a long and happy life together.

 

Final Thoughts

It is not uncommon for dogs to chew on objects. For most, it is instinct. For some, chewing on objects is a way to relieve anxiety, stress, and restlessness. If you adopt a dog and he starts chewing on your shoes, clothing, and other household items, don’t give up on him. He isn’t chewing on your things to make you mad or to get back at you for skipping his afternoon walk. This is just something that dogs can do, and fortunately, you can help him break the habit with proper training. Your dog can be trained to only chew on bones and toys designed for chewing, and eventually, he will leave your belongings alone.

If you follow the tips listed above and you are patient, there is a good chance that you can break your dog’s chewing habit, saving your home, your belongings, and most of all, your sanity.