Is your puppy chewing you out of house and home? It doesn't have to be that way!

Puppies are born to chew! However their desire to chew anything and everything they can get their mouths on can be simply and easily re-directed with a little time, effort and consistency! The re-direction will only work if the puppy is constantly supervised until you're sure he understands completely and has no relapses.

I don't claim to be an expert! But after reading so many posts about destructive dogs, I've come to the conclusion that I must have done something right over the years in regards to teaching my dogs not to chew things they shouldn't. Here's how I trained my dogs to know what they could and couldn't chew...

From the moment the puppy is brought into the household, have several chew toys on hand at all times. Every time the puppy begins to chew on something he shouldn't; tell him, "leave it", as you gently take the article from him and replace it with a chew toy. Some puppies will loose interest in chewing that object and show no interest in the chew toy you offer them.

At this point it's your job to make the new object appealing and fun. During this phase of training I used pre-chewed Nylabones with the chewed ends lightly coated with p-nut butter or bacon grease; a taste puppies can't resist. The moment the puppy took the Nylabone; they were rewarded with enthusiastic praise.

Throughout the day whenever they would begin chewing on the Nylabone on their own, I'd praise them again in a happy voice; usually saying something silly such as: "what have you got; such a good booooy, are you playing with your toy" etc!

This method requires constant supervision and can become frustrating even tiring, as puppies can usually manage to find dozens of strange objects through the course of a day to put in their mouths; and you have to be right there each and every time to make the switch. However the training only takes a short time before the pup learns that he is free to chew on his own toys whenever he wants, but only his own toys.

With this method there are no corrections necessary, you're teaching a new command, "leave it", which could possibly save his life someday if he attempts to pick up something dangerous. And you've taught him the "good habit" of chewing only on permitted items.

If you're 100 percent consistent with this method; the training is usually complete by the time they're past the teething stage.

Great post applesmom! Couldn't have said it better myself!

Thank you sugarbird!

By the way if anyone has anything to add, please do! This post was by no means meant to be the ultimate source for training puppies not to be destructive. As we all know, there are many different situations that can occur and other methods to be used! Probably some I've never even heard of.

Good and informative post, thanks!

I would like to add something too. I am not an expert dog trainer or behaviorist by any means. However, I think that some destructive chewing can be caused by boredom. It seems to me that dogs that get an adequte amount of daily exercise don't seem to do that any destructive behaviors.

Applesmom1, it sound like that you involve your dogs in a lot of field work. I believe that is partially reponsible for you not having any chewing problems. I imagine after a day in the field your dogs are into heavy duty sleeping.

I know my "more exercise" response seems redundant and simplistic. But some extra activity can never hurt and it might help.

I think regular exercise effects a dogs behavior more than people think. After all, A tired dog is a good dog!

lizziedog1, you're right, even the best trained, most loved dog in the world is likely to become destructive without physical and mental exercise.

For many dogs, simply playing with other dogs in the household provides adequate exercise. Other's need to be regularly walked or even allowed to run. The majority of toy dogs get enough exercise just following their owners around all day!

In the case of our dogs, just about the only time they were able to run free in the field was on weekends. Following a full day in the field, they were couch potatoes to say the least!

Through the week their exercise came from their morning training sessions, during which they were almost always on leash or check cord unless we had a fenced area to ourselves or they were fully trained.

Additional exercise came from the wild games of keep-away they played with each other off and on through the day. A game in which they were constantly leaping over one another, engaging in full-out races, twisting turns and sliding stops. Just watching them at play would wear a human out!

Dogs are not much different than humans in their requirements to live long, healthy, happy lives.

Our canine companions also require a healthy diet, shelter, human companionship, self esteem, love and respect, proper exercise, job training and a job to do; preferably a job that suits their capabilities.

Just bumping this up for those who might need information to stop their dogs from chewing.

I don't really have destructive dogs but I know they get bored while I'm at work.

I just bought something called "KongTime" by Dogopolis. It's basically a Kong dispenser (everyone should know what a Kong toy is, right?) for 4 Kongs. It's battery operated. You fill the Kongs with whatever (I'm using some peanut butter then fill with a handful of kibble), load into the machine and set it for 4 or 8 hours, depending on how long you will be gone. It then beeps and a Kong gets dropped out every so often. You can keep it by the edge of a counter or just on the floor if you wish. I am planning to reduce the amt of kibble I feed depending on the amt eaten during the day in the Kongs. For a lower fat treat, try broken up flavored rice cakes or baby carrots. Kong also makes a liver-flavored Kong paste. The idea is the Kong treat lasts longer if they have to lick it out. I think my dogs are going to love this, and it's very easy for me to fill and use!

essmom that sounds great, especially to relieve boredom. Keep us posted on the pro's (and con's}.