| Chewing is an annoying but natural part of a | | | | that is not correct don't punish them. Simply |
| puppy's development. It is very similar to | | | | say "No" and substitute what you want them to |
| teething in babies and the chewing stages are | | | | chew on. Praise them when they are chewing on |
| necessary to help with teething issues. | | | | the right things. Make sure you say something |
| Expecting a puppy to not chew is not | | | | like "Good boy/girl for chewing on your ball |
| reasonable, but they can be taught to chew | | | | (rope, toy, stick)". This helps the puppy |
| the right thing, rather than your shoes and | | | | learn the word for what he is chewing on. |
| furniture. Adult dogs that chew often are | | | | Later you will be able to say, "Get the ball |
| bored or are suffering from a separation | | | | stick/rope" and the puppy will know what you |
| anxiety disorder. Usually the adult dogs that | | | | mean. |
| chew can be taught to curb their behavior or | | | | |
| chew appropriately relatively easily. Some | | | | Toys to avoid |
| will require professional assistance from a | | | | |
| trainer or dog behavior specialist. | | | | Some toys, even those sold in pet stores, |
| | | | should never be used with a puppy. Toys that |
| Stages of growth | | | | are flimsy or have many parts that can be |
| | | | chewed off pose choking hazards. Toys that |
| Puppies chew when they are teething. This | | | | have long strings or ropes that could become |
| usually occurs sometime before the six-month | | | | wrapped around the puppy's neck are |
| stage, depending on the specific breed of | | | | potentially deadly toys. |
| dog. Some of the larger breeds may continue | | | | |
| chewing past the six-month stage and some | | | | Stuffed animals are appropriate for some |
| breeds are just known for chewing behaviors. | | | | older puppies and dogs but for younger |
| Regardless of the breed up to six months will | | | | puppies that are chewing constantly the |
| be problematic for most puppies. There are | | | | stuffed toy will quickly be shredded. This |
| several steps that owners can take to | | | | leaves parts of cloth and the stuffing |
| minimize the damage that may occur with | | | | material that can be swallowed leading to |
| chewing behaviors: | | | | gastrointestinal blockages and possible |
| | | | choking issues. |
| · Puppy proof your home. This means | | | | |
| removing all hanging wires, electrical cords, | | | | Natural bones, even raw bones, are not |
| curtain pulls and other dangling objects. | | | | generally advised for puppies. They are |
| Hanging plants that touch the ground can also | | | | usually too hard for the puppy teeth and lead |
| be temping to chew on and can also be | | | | to splintering and breakage of the existing |
| poisonous. | | | | teeth. In addition the puppies will be more |
| | | | likely to try to swallow any splinters and |
| · Keep chewable items in drawers or out of | | | | this can result in the bone splinters |
| the puppies reach. For example, toys, shoes, | | | | becoming lodged in the gums or the throat. If |
| remote controls, books, backpacks and | | | | you do wish to allow your puppy to chew on |
| briefcases, telephones and even laptop | | | | bones be sure they are raw beef bones that |
| computers need to put away or kept on tables | | | | are from a joint. Never allow your dog to eat |
| or desks well out of the puppies reach. | | | | pork bones and also never allow raw or cooked |
| | | | poultry bones of any kind. Supervise the |
| · Provide a wide variety of chew toys | | | | puppy while he is chewing the bone and remove |
| while you are gone. This means different | | | | it at any sign of splintering or when the |
| shapes and sizes. Thick pieces of cotton rope | | | | bone becomes small enough that the puppy |
| with knots in the ends are great for chewing | | | | might try to swallow it. |
| on. Heavy rubber balls or Nylabone chew toys | | | | |
| are safe and virtually indestructible. | | | | The chewing phase in puppies, like the |
| | | | teething phase in children, will pass. By |
| · Freezing dog teething rings and leaving | | | | taking a few precautions with your household |
| them in the crate or doggy area of the house | | | | items, supplying lots of alternative chewing |
| provide relieve to the gums and entertainment | | | | toys and teaching your puppy what to chew on |
| as well. | | | | the stage will pass without any problems now |
| | | | or in the future. |
| If you notice the puppy chewing something | | | | |