Dogs use their mouths to understand the world around them, whether it’s investigating a new toy or tasting a new treat. However, excessive chewing in dogs can be a serious problem, it can be destructive or even dangerous.
If your dog is chewing excessively, you’re no doubt feeling stressed and upset. Putting a halt to excessive chewing in dogs involves identifying the root cause before taking steps to modify behaviour. In this guide, we list some of the most common reasons your dog might be chewing excessively and share a few handy tips that could help curb the behaviour. Read on to learn more.
Is Your Dog Teething?
If your dog is a puppy, there could be a simple answer to why they are chewing excessively – teething. Just like humans, dogs develop a set of baby teeth when they are young. These usually fall out at around 12 weeks of age and their adult teeth will have fully developed by around 6-7 months of age.
It’s during this in-between stage that the problems can start. When your puppy’s adult teeth start growing, they can experience pain and discomfort as the developing teeth put pressure on the gums. To relieve this pressure, many dogs will chew anything they can get their mouths on.
Teething is a common cause of excessive chewing in dogs, but thankfully there are some simple solutions. Make sure your puppy has plenty of safe, chewable dog toys to enjoy. This will prevent them from gnawing on your furniture or shoes. You should also take steps to remove anything hazardous or valuable. Keep these items out of reach so your puppy won’t be tempted to have a nibble.
Boredom
Excessive chewing in dogs can also be caused by boredom. Dogs are intelligent animals, and they need lots of stimulation to keep them happy. If your dog finds themselves on their own with nothing to do, they may start chewing things around the house to keep themselves occupied.
One of the most important things you can do to address this issue is to ensure you are not leaving your dog alone for extended periods of time. If they have to be alone while you’re at work, ask a family member to visit or hire a dog walker.
Leaving your dog with a Kong-type chew filled with healthy food like carrots or apples occupies them for a time and gives them something to snack on.
You should also take your dog for plenty of walks and make time to play with them every day. This will keep their mind active and ensure they are too tired to start chewing your belongings!
Anxiety
Another potential and common cause of excessive chewing in dogs is anxiety. This condition isn’t unique to humans, our furry friends can also feel anxious and stressed at times. However, unlike the previous points, anxiety-related chewing can be a little trickier to address.
The first thing you need to do is to identify the cause of your dog’s anxiety. These feelings of stress can be the result of a number of things. For example, your dog could be feeling anxious about being left home alone, or there could be something in the home itself that’s causing them stress.
Only once the cause of the anxiety has been removed or rectified can you move forward and take further steps to address your dog’s excessive chewing. It may take them some time to break the habit, so be patient and make sure they have plenty of safe, chewable toys.
If your dog’s destructive behaviour and chewing are prolonged and excessive due to anxiety you will need to find out the reason. In situations like this, you may need to call in a professional behaviourist. It is not a dog trainer you need but a behaviourist who can identify the reason or reasons behind the anxiety.
Conclusion
Excessive chewing in dogs can be extremely stressful. Not only does it put your dog and your belongings at risk, but it can also strain the relationship between you and your pet and cause frustration for both parties. Use the guide above to identify and address the cause of your dog’s behaviour and remember to seek veterinary care if you believe the problem is a medical one.