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| How to Discourage a Dog From Chewing Furniture
How to Discourage a Dog From Chewing Furniture
by Krissi Maarx
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Overview
A dog chews furniture from boredom, anxiety or lack of anything else to chew. If your dog paces, clings to your side, routinely destroys furniture or frequently barks and whines, he may suffer from canine separation anxiety. Preventive measures and basic dog-training techniques will help you stop your dog from chewing furniture, regardless of his reason for doing it. The most important thing to remember is that a tired dog is a pleasant, well-behaved dog.
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Step 1
Provide aerobic exercise for 30 to 60 minutes each day, as recommended for separation anxiety by Betsy Brevitz, D.V.M. This may include running, jogging or an active game of fetch. All dogs benefit from daily exercise---some may require more than others, depending on breed and level of energy.
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Step 2
Teach her to find her toys, as suggested by PerfectPaws.com, or focus on breed-specific activities. Hide toys throughout your home and encourage her to find them by leading her to them and saying, "Get your toy." Praise her for chewing on appropriate toys when she finds them. Breed-specific activities, such as scent-tracking for a basset hound, provide mental stimulation and decrease boredom.
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Step 3
Claim ownership of your furniture. Forbid your dog from sitting on your bedroom or living-room furniture without your permission. Say "off" when you see him on furniture and direct him to the floor with a gentle tug of the collar.
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Step 4
Supply toys and bones. When you catch your dog chewing on a forbidden object, re-direct her by replacing it with a toy. Dog chewing is an instinctive behavior, so she will need options from which to choose. If you are busy or plan to leave the home for any length of time, offer her a toy that will keep her busy, such as a rubber toy that you can fill with treats or peanut butter, which will keep your dog actively interested in playing.
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Step 5
Block your dog's access to rooms that have furniture when you're unable to supervise him. A baby gate or tall barricade will suffice. If he is still a puppy, train him to stay in a crate for short periods of time.
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- Toys and/or bones
Baby gate, barricade or dog crate
- Toys and/or bones
- Baby gate, barricade or dog crate
- Don't punish your dog if you come home to a shredded couch---he won't make the connection between the punishment and behavior. You must stop him while he is chewing.
- Don't punish your dog if you come home to a shredded couch---he won't make the connection between the punishment and behavior. You must stop him while he is chewing.
