| Dogs and Puppies Love to Chew Puppies chew for a | | | | are all good for your dog to chew. |
| variety of reasons. They do it to play, to explore the | | | | If you have to leave your dog alone, you should put |
| environment, to assuage hunger and to establish | | | | him in a crate or box (or a sealed room with nothing in |
| dominance. Puppies also chew to relieve boredom and | | | | it he can ruin) and provide a chew toy so he has |
| ease teething discomfort. It really comes quite natural | | | | something to do. |
| to them and they will chew whatever they can find | | | | Dogs should never be encouraged to chase or bite. |
| lying around. | | | | Some dogs, for example Corgis, Collies and Shetland |
| A dog or puppy needs items that he can chew on, | | | | Sheepdogs, will try to round up children by nipping at |
| else he is going to go for your slippers, electrical wires | | | | their heels. This is natural herding behavior but you can |
| or furniture. A puppy chewing on electrical wires could | | | | teach the dog that it is not acceptable to do so. |
| injure or even kill your dog. Chewing other things might | | | | Teaching a puppy is much easier than training an adult |
| poison him. | | | | dog what is and is not acceptable but, with patience, it |
| You might have wondered 'why does my puppy | | | | can be done. |
| chew on paper?' Chewing paper results in a huge | | | | You can teach your puppy or dog to chew the |
| mess for you and probably ingestion of the paper for | | | | correct things. If he starts trying to chew something |
| your dog which might give him a serious stomach | | | | other than a chew toy, remove the object and give |
| upset. Dogs like to chew paper because it shreds | | | | him the toy. A stern "no" should be sufficient warning. |
| easily. Mail coming through a mailbox gives him a | | | | You should not hit puppies. It will make them fear you |
| challenge and is exciting. Anything new coming into the | | | | rather than respect you. It is natural for a dog to try to |
| house is a potential challenge for those small but sharp | | | | bite humans or other animals to establish dominance. |
| teeth. You can buy safe and sturdy dog chew toys | | | | Again, a firm "no" should take care of this, quickly |
| from pet stores, a veterinarian or online for only a few | | | | followed by giving him his chew toy. When you hand |
| dollars. Since they are relatively cheap, it is a good idea | | | | the dog a toy, you should say "take it" after a few |
| to get an assortment of chew toys of varying | | | | seconds to discourage grabbing. |
| textures and sizes, so your dog does not get bored | | | | Dog and puppy chewing is normal and all you need to |
| with the one and set his sights on your favorite shoes | | | | do is provide the correct chew toys and to tell the dog |
| again. | | | | off if he tries to chew the remote control, your new |
| Squeaky dog toys are fun to play catch with but not | | | | shoes or anything else which is off limits. After a while, |
| sturdy enough to be toys for chewing. If your dog has | | | | the command becomes natural to him and he'll never |
| only these, he will chew them to pieces in a few hours. | | | | do it again. |
| Knotted ropes, sterilised bones and hard rubber balls | | | | |