Dealing with a Dog Eating Furniture

I was sitting in a nice antique chair chatting with a friend when her rottie walked up and bit a chunk out of the seat cushion. To say we were both shocked is to understate the case. Why did he do it? We have no idea. He lived to be thirteen and never did anything like that again.

Odd events like the one above aside if you have a problem with your dog chewing things that he shouldn't you need to take some steps redirect this chewing energy. Dogs have to chew. It is bred into their bones for a million years and more. Since you can't stop it you need to provide acceptable outlets for the chewing.

Younger dogs have a greater need to chew than older dogs. Most people recognize that puppies need to chew and provide toys and various items so the puppy can chew without getting in trouble.

What many people don't realize is that a dog's need to chew peaks at around eighteen months of age. That is when your cute little poodle destroys every throw pillow you own or your Rottweiller eats your recliner.

To reduce the problem of inappropriate chewing before you bring a new dog home you need to puppy proof your house or apartment. It is a good idea to do this even if you are getting an older dog, because the new and stressful environment might cause it to revert to earlier puppy-like behaviors.

Possibly the most important thing to do, if your dog must stay indoors, is teach your dog to stay in a crate when you aren't at home. Teach your puppy from the very first day home that the crate is its den; the one place it can be absolutely safe from getting into trouble. Even if your puppy drags your wool throw into the crate and chews it into confetti do not scold it. Just remove the debris from the crate and make sure you remove objects from its reach.If your dog is crate trained then you need only worry about its chewing when you are at home.

Folks, please, when you see your dog chewing on something it shouldn't do not yell at it. Get up, go over and remove the object. This is the biggest secret there is to successful dog training, don't just sit there wishing the dog wouldn't do something; get physical. By this I do not mean you should hit or kick your dog. I mean you need to get out of your chair, walk over and claim the object from the dog.

Don't try to pull it out of the dog's mouth. Instead make the dog drop whatever it is and then move away from it. If you tug on it the dog will think it is a game or try to defend its right to the object. A higher ranked dog will always stand over a lower ranked dog and make it yield the bone or whatever. This will keep you from getting bitten.

When you take the object don't do so with your fingers extended; this makes it easy for the dog to bite. If you take the bone or blanket in such a way that the back of your hand is towards the dog it will make it harder for the dog to bite. Notice I don't say the dog can't bite you only that it will be more difficult for it to do so.

Taking things away isn't all there is to solving the problem. You need to give your dog things it can chew. Big knuckle bones, thick ropes with knots in them, or super hard rubber toys the dog can't destroy are all good. Make sure the dog knows these are acceptable to chew on. When you see your dog chewing on an approved object tell her "Good dog." Two or three of these will go further to insure she only chews things allowed than all the "bad dogs" put together.

To keep your dog from eating your house and property remember, have a place for your dog where it can't get into trouble while you are gone. Keep temptation at a minimum. Actively remove things that aren't allowed. Provide things that are acceptable for your dog to chew on. And remember, when your dog makes a mistake and eats the book anyway, well, no one is perfect.