Why do puppies chew?
Chewing is a normal part of the development of a dog. Human toddlers often enjoy putting things in their mouths, and puppies are no exception! Puppies chew for a variety of reasons, including:
- Teething
- Understanding textures
- A natural desire to chew/gnaw
Is chewing a problem?
Chewing is only a problem when your puppy chews on inappropriate items, such as your shoes, or when it becomes excessively destructive (often accompanied by anxiety). Chewing is a natural behaviour that should not be discouraged, but your puppy may require assistance in determining what is appropriate to chew on.
Tips for protecting your belongings
Puppy-proof your home. Puppies will chew on anything that looks interesting, smells good, or tastes good. Place any tempting items, such as shoes and children’s toys, in a safe place. Having a puppy is a great motivator to keep your home tidy! Use baby gates, play pens, or shut doors to restrict your puppy’s access to specific areas of the house. This will protect items that cannot be hidden away, such as furniture!
Give your puppy something they can chew. There are numerous chew toys suitable for puppies on the market. Kongs and other similar toys are great because they are made of long-lasting, soft rubber and can be stuffed with food. Offer dental chews with caution, as these are usually not recommended for puppies under 12 months old because they are made of materials that are too hard and may damage puppy teeth. Raw bones (never cooked!) should be fed with caution as well, as they can become lodged in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract.
Praise your puppy for chewing on their toys. Owners frequently report that their puppies ignore their toys in favour of chewing on something else! This is why it is critical to remove other temptations. You may need to provide some encouragement to get your puppy interested in their chew toys. Incorporating chew toys into play sessions or stuffing toys with food may help encourage puppies to engage with their chew toys on their own. Remember to praise your puppy when he or she chews on appropriate toys. Positive reinforcement should never be underestimated!
Teach “swap” to retrieve items from you puppy’s jaws. Training a “swap” cue allows you to easily rescue items that you don’t want your puppy to have if you don’t want your puppy to have if they do happen to get hold of them. Don’t chase your puppy or pull the item out of their mouth because this will quickly become a game!
Remember…
- Chewing is a normal, natural canine behaviour
- Remove temptations
- Give puppy something to chew
- Praise for chewing on the right things
- Teach “swap” to retrieve items
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