Among pets, dogs are the most social and always love to be in the company of people. However, they are fond of chewing things when left alone. A behavior that other times may seem so disgusting to the house owner since they may cause severe destruction and even stuff getting missing in the place.
Dogs chew stuff when left alone for various reasons, such as the urge to explore the environment and get rid of stress and anxiety, e.t.c. But before you take any form of action, such as punishment, ascertain the reason for making your dog chew.
What are the reasons for this habit of dogs chewing stuff in the household? The following are five possible reasons why a dog is fond of chewing stuff when left alone:
1. Hunger
Dogs can chew stuff with food content or with a delicious food smell when they are hungry or when they are fond of being given the same type of food, also known as a low-calorie diet.
For instance, dogs will engage in chewing plaster or stones if they lack enough calcium in their diet.
2. Anxiety and Stress
Dogs can develop intense stress and anxiety if they encounter something they cannot keep. Also, if provoked, they can develop anxiety, making them uncomfortable. To get over the stress, the dogs may engage in chewing stuff to preoccupy their minds.
3. Boredom
Like humans, dogs can become bored when they go a long time without stimulation, such as exercise or walking. Therefore, they will resort to chewing stuff as a form of amusement.
4. Puppy Teething
It is natural for all dogs to chew anything they get. This chewing habit may be a positive sign of the dog’s development process.
However, the teeth-developing process in puppies comes with some pain. Consequently, the puppies will chew whatever they get in their environment to suppress this pain.
5. To Make Jaws and Teeth Strong for Adult Dogs
Dogs use biting as their defense mechanism. Therefore, they ought to have strong teeth and jaws strong enough to scare or even tear flesh.
Thus, adult dogs will chew to strengthen and harden their jaws and already-grown teeth.
What Might Be the Risks of Dogs Chewing Stuff?
As much as chewing might be of health importance to the dog, not all the time it will be chewing the right things.
The dogs might be subjected to risks like:
1. Damaging Teeth and Other Soft Tissues
Hard substances like bones and stones can damage puppies’ developing teeth if they keep chewing whatever they come across.
Additionally, sharp objects like sticks and needles can harm the tongue and other soft tissues of the digestive tract.
2. Choking
Without a person around it, the dog can get choked with the stuff it is chewing, exposing it to the risk of death.
More so, cooked bones can be dangerous to the dog as they can split into small, sharp pieces with high risks of choking the dog.
3. Stomach Upsets
Since only sometimes will the dog be chewing the right thing, it may be subjected to stomachaches if it gets to chew something unsafe, thereby causing discomfort.
How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Destroying Things When Left Alone?
It is possible to prevent the dog from unnecessarily chewing stuff around the household. Besides providing the appropriate stuff to chew, the dogs can be trained on responsible chewing.
So, how do I train my dog not to chew up everything?
Here are a few things you can do to prevent your dog from destroying things when they are left alone:
1. Providing Dog Toys
When provided with many of their toys, the dog will be restricted to chewing them only when in need and will therefore be protected from chewing dangerous substances.
2. Dog-proof
At times, the chewing behavior of a dog can turn out to be destructive, especially when valuable materials are involved.
To avoid all this destruction, all fragile and valuable things should be removed from the dog’s reach until it is ascertained that the dog’s chewing behavior is directed toward the appropriate materials.
3. Leaving the Dog with Edible Stuff
Hunger is among the reasons why dogs chew stuff around the house. To control their chewing behavior, they should be left with edible substances such as bully sticks and other natural chews to keep them busy and away from hunger.
4. Spraying Items With Chewing Disincentives
Chewing disincentives can be used to control the destructive chewing nature of dogs. First, the dog is acquainted with the disincentive by being made to smell or test it.
Afterward, it will not allow itself to associate with or come across the same scent or taste, and thus will not get to chew items sprayed with the same deterrents.
5. Speaking and Acting
Dogs are one of the pets that are quick to learn to understand human language.
When you realize that the dog is chewing inappropriately, you can tell them no and then remove the material and replace it with edible material such as pig skin rolls, bull sticks, or a chewing toy.
6. Doing Enough Exercise
When leaving the dog behind for a lengthy period, you should ensure that you have had adequate playtime with him. These exercises will enhance mental stimulation, reducing stress and boredom.
Should I Punish My Dog For Destroying Things?
Punishing the dog after destroying items may not be fruitful. And instead of punishing them, training them is the best option.
Nevertheless, you only have to punish the dog when you find him in the act of chewing, or else the dog will not connect the punishment given to the chewing.
So how do I punish a dog who keeps chewing up everything?
1. Locking Him in a Cage
When your dog is fond of chewing stuff around the house, you can lock him in a kennel or a spacious and ventilated basket to keep him away from variable materials.
However, it is not recommended to keep the dog in a locked cage for longer than six hours as a form of punishment.
2. Noise Destruction
Upon realizing your dog is chewing unwanted things, you can shout to make him stop. Moreover, reprimanding a dog gives it some psychological realignment, and it will stop.
After reprimanding him, you will provide the appropriate toy or chew, and when he is redirected there, you will appreciate him. This idea is known as positive reinforcement.
3. Giving Time Out
Negative reinforcement can also be used as a correction strategy. If you realize that after giving the dog playing toys, he is still chewing other things irresponsibly, you can discipline him by keeping the toys away for a short time.
How Long Do Dog Anxiety Chew Last?
Dog anxiety chews last for between four and eight hours. However, the time for anxiety chews to work varies based on the product administered and the dog itself. Most anxiety medications start to take effect after half an hour after being administered.
Anxiety chews comprise natural ingredients like valerian and chamomile, which are significant for dogs undergoing stress. They are purposely meant to maintain calmness when the dog is subjected to a stressful state, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, and car rides.
Notably, the dog anxiety chews come in different packages and different dosages. It is prudent to choose the most appropriate package. Care should be taken to meet the right dosage.