Monday, January 12, 2009

Eliminate Dog Chewing

Do you have a dog chewing problem ? A dog that loves to chew on anything he sees interesting and you can’t seem to figure out why he has this kind of passion? Have you ever come home from work only to find your most favorite pair of shoes being chewed upon—or worse, almost halfway around the throat of your, cute, sweet and innocent, little dog? If this is a familiar scenario to you, I suggest that you continue to read on.

 

One of the worst habits that any dog can pick up is chewing. Besides it being destructive to your property, a a dog chewing might end up injuring itself by breaking its teeth or swallowing harmful material. Worse, some dogs chew on themselves! This kind of unpleasant habit may cause hair loss and even serious infections to areas of their bodies like their tails, legs, and feet. If you have a problem with dog chewing, instead of dismissing the act as a typical dog behavior, work to immediately correct the situation.

 

It is a fact that puppies chew a lot. However, their choices of what to chew on will be directly dependent upon you . If you are welcoming a new puppy into your home, be sure to supply it with adequate toys to prevent your pooch from destroying your home, car, or wardrobe. Moreover, keep in mind to pick toys that are not mistaken for those “out of bound” objects. To somehow redirect its attention from the new pair they have just bought, many dog owners prefer to grant their pups with cast off shoes but to their surprise the puppy would still chew up on their brand new pair instead. Look for bones and toys that are meant to be used as a chewing toy that will not splinter, break, or split and potentially cause a choking hazard. So that your dog does not become bored and opt to chew on your beloved possessions and furniture as an alternative, give your puppy with several different toys in various areas.

 

Yes, there are simple steps that can help you prevent your dog from chewing up your possessions! For starters, the easiest way to stop this routine is to keep an eye on your dog. Dogs cannot chew up your house and home while you sit watching them. A huge part of dog ownership is VIGILANCE. Furthermore, consider confining your dog to a room or area of your home until you can trust him to have free rein of your abode. In addition to vigilance, cleanliness is a large factor in what a dog has access to chew. Simply put, your dog cannot chew your shoes unless they were left accessible. If you find your dog chewing something, if possible, place it out of his reach. In all likelihood , the dog will continue chewing the same item until it is either removed or completely destroyed.

 

“But what about the larger things like furniture, doors, or appliances that will be hard to move”, you say? For these structures, apply a thin film of Bitter Apple. Like its name suggests, this solution is quite bitter and very unsavory for dogs. Available in a spray or cream, Bitter Apple will not damage the finish of your furniture and can easily be wiped away once the dog learns not the chew. Don’t be alarmed if your dog does ingest the material, it will not make him sick, as the contents of it are non-toxic.

 

Finally, serve as a guardian of your own items. Teach your dog commands like "leave it" and instruct him to cease and desist the gnawing of your items. Use a spray bottle or a shaker device rather than physical punishment, which can sometime cause dogs to become more destructive in protest. If your dog is chewing on himself more than your home, immediately visit your veterinarian. There are a lot of skin conditions, including parasitic infections that can cause a dog to chew on his own skin in order to find relief. Turn to a cooling spray that will provide relief as the area begins to heal. Also, use an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

No comments: