Pet owners with dogs love them, but sometimes their destructive chewing can prove a real challenge. Short of keeping a dog confined to a kennel whenever watching him or her is difficult, many owners struggle with trying to find dog training techniques that address this issue adequately. However, Lakewood dog owners struggling with their pet’s destructive chewing don’t need to lose hope. Understand why a dog chews, what can be done to stop the destruction, and how to keep a dog occupied so that he or she won’t be as inclined to start with the destructive chewing again.
Why Do Dogs Chew?
Many people with dogs in Golden often wonder why dogs chew, as well as why they often chew objects that are particularly inconvenient. Puppies, for example, explore the world by chewing, and in many cases, they will grow out of the worst of the chewing. However, chewing is an instinctive behavior that will sometimes persist outside of puppyhood. Many people find that their dogs will often continue to chew if they happen to be bored. This is often a reason that dogs spend time in dog daycare. Even though these chewing issues are usually easy to resolve, there are also a few circumstances that require special attention.
A lot of chewing issues begin with separation anxiety. When dogs become anxious when their owners leave, they will often express their anxiety through chewing, digging or other destructive behaviors. Dog boarding facilties also see a lot of dogs in their care that have these separation anxiety issues. Another cause of destructive chewing that also requires attention is when the chewing has its basis in a medical issue. Dogs with GI issues might chew to induce vomiting. Also, dogs that have a nutritional deficiency might be inclined to chew inappropriately.
How to Stop It
Because a lot of destructive dog chewing is instinctive, one thing to avoid doing is correcting the dog after the fact. Dogs can’t understand the idea of being corrected after performing the bad behavior and are likely to become confused and frightened. Also, punishment after the fact does not show the dog why it should not repeat the behavior. Preventing the dog from committing bad behavior by having a training crate or kennel they can stay in when no one is at home is an effective prevention method. It is natural for a dog to have their own space that they view as a den.
Dogs that do better in a small room instead of in a crate should have access to chew toys while they are in this space. If they have access to chew toys that are allowed, this will discourage them from trying to chew the walls or flooring. The owner’s behavior at leaving and returning also helps make a difference. A walk or exercise session before leaving will make a dog less likely to act out over being left alone. After the dog is confined, the owner should leave quietly, without fussing over the dog.
An Active Dog is a Happy Dog
Many dog owners in Lakewood and Golden have busy lifestyles. Solutions like dog daycare might be useful for these dog owners who might otherwise have difficulty finding a solution when they’re at work. Pet Peeves offers care that suits the needs of busy dog owners through play groups. These programs are easy to tailor to each dog’s special needs. The play time is included as part of the dog boarding cost. All of the dogs are supervised, and the indoor areas are climate-controlled.
Dog training with a professional can also prove helpful for owners having difficulty getting their dog to stop chewing. Programs that combine dog daycare or boarding with training can help a dog struggling with behavioral issues to get them turned around. Humane clicker training methods are not only effective for teaching dogs to leave items alone but are also easy for the dog’s owner to learn. The happier the dog, the less likely they are to engage in destructive behavior. Providing opportunities for supervised play as one way to help end the cycle of boredom that affects many dogs and causes them to chew.
Summing It All Up
Although there are some instances where destructive chewing is hard to avoid, most cases ae easy to prevent through a combination of humane confinement and ensuring the dog receives proper exercise. Using the services of a daycare facility for dogs can help owners provide the attention and supervision their dogs need when the owner is away from the house. When coupled with training sessions, this supervision can prove very helpful for busy owners with dogs in need of a lot of attention when the owner is away. Supervised play activities at Pet Peeves can keep a dog much happier and well-adjusted.
