Dog Chewing: Tips For A Necessary Habit
Kris Hampton, CTC, CPDT-KA
Tip 1: Teach ‘Yes!’ before ‘No!’
First, keep an untrained dog in a dog-proofed room or crate to break (or prevent) them chewing ‘illegal’ items.
Second, audition ‘legal’ chew items to find a bunch that your dog likes (see Tip 2!) and that you are willing to regularly supply: get your pup hooked on these.
Finally, after rules 1 and 2 have been in place for about three weeks, loosen up your management and interrupt/redirect any illegal chewing.
Tip 2: What to Chew?
Every dog differs in terms of their favourite chew-objects and the frequency with which they want to chew. Below are some fantastic and safe options to get your chew-a-holic dog:
Puzzle Toys
When stuffing kongs/toys, stuff loosely for the first week or two, gradually ramping up the difficulty of unstuffing for your dog.
Kongs, Linkables, Tug-a-Lugs, Twist-N-treats, etc.
We love this stuff-able and durable ball from Homes Alive Pets!
Consumables
Bully Sticks, Yak Chews, Rawhides, Pig Ears, Nylabones, etc.
Pro-Level Stuffing
Use a soft & sticky substance (eg. Peanut Butter) to hold kibble/treat bits in.
Kongsicle: insert filling - freeze until hard (eg kibble + water)
Nested: wrap treats in a towel, knot it closed, place in old tupperware
Treasure Hunt: hide kong or nested kong in more and more difficult places around home
Thought Of The Month: Chewing
I still remember the day my sister’s dog, Milo, destroyed my brand new Birkenstocks like it happened yesterday. “It’s not his fault,” I reminded myself through gritted teeth, “chewing is a natural behavior.”
While it can be frustrating to lose a couch cushion, a shoe, or a book to your dog’s sharp little teeth, chewing is actually a vital and instinctive activity. It’s not about revenge, teething discomfort alone, or a sign of a behavioral problem. Chewing serves important physical and mental needs for your dog and has deep evolutionary roots.
