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5 Tips for Destructive Chewers

PupBox

July 11, 2017

Your pup will chew on something you don’t want him to. This is a simple, unavoidable fact of puppyhood. It may only be minor, or you may be the lucky one who brings home a dog that almost literally eats you out of your house! #puppyproblems

Chewing goes through two phases.  The first phase of chewing happens because the puppy is teething, and he is compelled to have things in his mouth during this period. It normally ceases when all adult teeth come in so it should be winding down about 5-6 months of age. The second phase of chewing is a development phase that normally begins in late puppyhood around 7-8 months old, and can last up to 2 years. This chewing phase has nothing to do with teething and is motivated entirely by entertainment and boredom.

Adolescent puppies are like teenagers, you have to keep them busy to keep them out of trouble. When a pup chews for entertainment, he finds the activity rewarding. It’s fun! Additionally, dogs have no sense of right or wrong, so he has no idea you don’t want him to eat the tv remote versus his chew bone. It’s all the same to him.

The methods for controlling both forms of chewing are relatively similar, so you can begin your strategies when your puppy is young and continue into his adolescence. Here are some tips for dealing with destructive chewing:

Exercise!

It can’t be stressed enough that a tired puppy is a happy puppy. Every dog has different energy needs, so you have to tailor the exercise and playtime to your individual puppy. If he doesn’t wear himself out each day, he’ll look for other things to do. You will always notice a decrease in destructive chewing with appropriate levels of exercise.

Swapping Puppy Chews

Try rotating toys and chew bones each week so that he doesn’t become bored with them. Best way to do that is by ordering a PupBox ASAP! Anytime you see him with an off limits item in his mouth, swap it out for a toy.

Put Away Your Valuables

If you don’t want him ripping apart your new Dolce pumps, make sure you lock them away. Don’t leave anything lying on the living room floor. By limiting your pup’s access to items, you’re effectively preventing a disaster!

Use A Bitter Spray

Invest in a spray that you can use to lightly spray off limit items. There are several available choices to try. Not all dogs respond to these sprays, but they are very helpful for those that do.

Keep Your Pup From Roaming

If you know your puppy is a destructive chewer, don’t let him loose to roam the house for hours on end when you leave. We recommend crate training or looking into doggie daycare options so you don’t continually come home to a mess. Once he becomes more reliable, then gradually allow him more freedom in the house.


Bringing a new family addition into the home is extremely exciting! Becoming a new puppy parent comes with a ton of new joys, challenges and responsibilities. PupBox was created to help new puppy parents like yourself, by providing all of the toys, treats, accessories and training information you need, when you need it. CLICK HERE to learn more about PupBox.


And remember, puppyhood is fast and is gone before you know it. Make sure to savor the time when your pup is young, and take lots of pictures along the way!


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