You see it everywhere there is a pet dog -- scratch marks on the door, chewed edges of otherwise-perfectly-good rugs, holes dug in lawns (and flower beds!) and holes in furniture covers. All these are signs that the dog is in control of the home. That he's a restive, lively pet who has never learned where the boundaries are. And you can be sure the owner suddenly goes on edge every time their canine friend comes near a well-frayed carpet or sofa cover.
It's a common problem. Can it be stopped?
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Short answer is, Yes! And there are just a few simple steps you can take to prevent all the cost and embarrassment brought on by this destructive behavior.
(1) Realize your dog is doing this because he is unsatisfied.
He is certainly not doing it because he's angry. That's what small children (or immature adults) do. But dogs are different. They scratch, stretch and dig because they are lonely, bored, anxious or restless after being left unattended for hours. Revenge or malice do not enter the canine equation.
Vets think dogs chew as a sort of relief therapy. That they're masticating to relieve tension, or take the edge of a heightened stress level. These emotions will come. They are normal. So, accept that he will tear things up. Just as a cat stretches and digs her claws into the carpet or back of a chair, so a dog will chew and wrestle with things close at hand -- look out if its the furniture!
(2) Give him something to chew.
Be prepared for this and give him toys or small objects to chew on. Then teach your pet that when he wants to chew he must get that toy. Rugs and furniture are off limits!
Following on from what I wrote yesterday, in chapter one, find ways to reward your dog for chewing on the toys you give him. That means, don't give him unsupervised play until he has learned to be responsible with it. Instead, give him an area or a room where he can play, put the chew toys in that area, get down there with him as he plays and reward him (with a click and tiny morsel, perhaps) each time he does his chewing on the right object.
Build a digging pit outside, so the dog learns that he scrapes the earth and forms those wonderful holes there and not on your best bit of lawn.
(3) Know when he is going to chew
It is common for a dog to chew or tear around the house just before a regular event that he enjoys. He will learn to anticipate the time when, for example, you return from work. And as his excitement builds he will start chewing and worrying the furniture. It's pure tension relief. Know about this and find ways to channel that enthusiasm into chewing on the toys -- only.
One way to do this is to teach him to greet your arrival with THAT toy in his mouth. You can do this by refusing to give him a warm greeting, or pat on the head with attention, until he has the chew toy in his teeth. First ask him to "find" the toy and only then greet him. It won't take long for the dog to figure out how to get that attention he so eagerly wants!
And this will help him to divert away from the furniture next time you come through the door.
How To Stop Your Dog Destroying Your Home
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