Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time, but it often comes with the challenge of teaching them appropriate chewing behaviors. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and chewing is a natural instinct that helps relieve teething pain. However, it’s crucial to guide them towards acceptable chewing habits to protect your belongings and ensure their safety. This guide provides essential tips for new puppy owners to establish good chewing practices from the start.
Provide Plenty of Safe Toys and Inedible Chew Bones
It’s vital to offer your puppy a variety of safe and appropriate chew options specifically designed for them. Without readily available chew toys, puppies will inevitably turn to household items, potentially leading to destruction and hazards. Look for sturdy toys that match your puppy’s personality and chewing intensity. For power chewers, durable rubber toys or hard plastic chew bones are recommended, while gentler dogs might prefer softer textures. Ensuring a consistent supply of appealing, puppy-safe chew items is the first step in redirecting their natural chewing instinct. Consider exploring options like teething toys or sturdy plastic chew bones to satisfy their need to chew.
Try Frozen Options to Alleviate Teething Pain
Between birth and six months of age, puppies experience discomfort as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge. Just like human babies, this teething process can be painful. Offering cold chew items can provide significant relief to their sore gums. Simple and inexpensive options include ice cubes or frozen wet washcloths. Alternatively, many chew toys are designed to be frozen, offering a long-lasting soothing effect. Even a food-stuffable puppy toy can be filled with kibble, broth, or yogurt and frozen, creating a cold, engaging treat that doubles as a pain reliever.
Ask Your Vet About Safe Chewing Options
Your veterinarian is an invaluable resource for guidance on your puppy’s chewing habits. During your puppy’s initial vet visits, don’t hesitate to ask about appropriate chew items. Your vet can help you select chews that are suitable for your puppy’s breed, size, and chewing style. They can also advise on the safety and suitability of edible chews. For instance, while a softer toy might be fine for a gentle chewer, a more aggressive chewer might benefit from options like bully sticks, which are more durable. Understanding your puppy’s breed characteristics can also inform these decisions, as some breeds are naturally stronger chewers.
Keep Valuables and Dangerous Items Out of Reach
Puppies lack the understanding to differentiate between their toys and your prized possessions. Anything within their reach is fair game for exploration and chewing. Your favorite shoes or a discarded sock might seem particularly appealing due to their scent. It is essential to “puppy-proof” your home by removing or securing all valuable items and potential hazards. This includes electrical cords, toxic plants, and small objects that could be swallowed. By keeping dangerous items out of sight and reach, you significantly reduce the risk of accidental ingestion or injury.
Supervise Your Puppy Closely
Consistent supervision is key to preventing your puppy from chewing inappropriate items. Even in a puppy-proofed environment, there are countless temptations that can lead to destructive chewing. Observing your puppy allows you to intervene the moment they show interest in something they shouldn’t chew and redirect them to an appropriate toy. This active supervision is crucial for establishing good habits and preventing the development of problematic behaviors.
Prevent Chewing with Crating or Secure Areas
Since constant supervision isn’t always possible, providing a safe and secure space for your puppy when you can’t watch them is essential. A crate or a designated dog-proofed area can prevent them from chewing on forbidden items. Ensure this space is comfortable and equipped with several safe chew toys to keep your puppy entertained and engaged. Using food-stuffed chew toys can be particularly effective, as they reward the puppy for chewing appropriate items, reinforcing positive behavior.
Teach a “Leave It” Cue
The “leave it” command is a powerful training tool that can prevent your puppy from chewing on dangerous or forbidden items. This cue teaches your puppy to ignore an item when instructed. Start by teaching them to only take things from your hand with permission, gradually progressing to real-world scenarios. Mastering “leave it” can be a lifesaver, preventing them from ingesting toxic substances or damaging valuable possessions.
Teach a “Drop It” or “Out” Cue
If your puppy has already picked up something inappropriate, the “drop it” or “out” cue is essential. This command teaches your dog to release whatever is in their mouth. The best way to teach this is through a trade-up system: offer your puppy a high-value treat or a favorite toy in exchange for the item they are holding. Avoid chasing your puppy, as this can encourage a game of keep-away. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to teaching this cue effectively. Consider using these toys as an alternative to inappropriate items.
Provide Ample Physical and Mental Exercise
Boredom is a significant driver of destructive chewing behaviors in puppies. Ensuring your puppy receives adequate physical activity and mental stimulation throughout the day can significantly reduce their inclination to chew on inappropriate items. Daily walks, engaging playtime, and interactive training sessions are vital. Puzzle toys and scent games can also provide crucial mental enrichment. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy, and meeting their exercise needs is a proactive approach to preventing chewing problems.
Avoid Punishing After the Fact
Dogs live in the present moment, making post-incident punishment ineffective. If you discover damage hours later, your puppy won’t connect the punishment to their past action. Punishing your puppy after the fact can lead to fear and unpredictability, rather than understanding. Instead, focus on immediate redirection when you catch them in the act. If you find them chewing something they shouldn’t, calmly take the item away and offer an appropriate chew toy. This approach reinforces what they should chew, rather than punishing what they did chew.
The AKC’s GoodDog! Helpline offers valuable support for dog owners facing training challenges. If you need assistance with puppy training or addressing unwanted behaviors, their experts are available to help.
References
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