If your furry friend is an enemy to your shoes, pillows and other cherished belongings, chances are the problem may lie in the types of toys they’re playing with!
Have you come home from a long day at work, to see the inside of your favourite throw cushion scattered all over the floor? Or maybe your favourite shoes have been chewed and torn to the point of no return? As much as you might tell yourself, this is all a part of having a dog or perhaps a punishment for leaving them alone all day, it’s not your fault or your dogs! They may have been conditioned to think those materials are also their toys.
When owners bring their new best friends home for the first time, it’s likely that they will spoil them with cute soft toys and with all the fun animal toys on the market right now, why wouldn't you want to? The only problem is that many of these toys resemble household objects. Remember that pretty throw cushion they tore to pieces, it felt just like the stuffed toy you bought them as a puppy. Just like the rubber sole of your favourite runners felt like that “indestructible” rubber toy they tore through in a week.
Owners are shaping their pets habits from the moment they bring them home. So what can you do to ensure negative chewing habits aren’t created?
Get to the root of the problem. What specific destructive behaviour is your dog performing? Different types of chewing may indicate different problems in their lives.
Remember to buy them toys that don’t resemble household or personal objects. This might look like a rubber ball, interactive treat toy or teething ring.
Encourage your dog when they implement appropriate chewing on the appropriate toys.
Stay away from soft fabrics such as stuffed animals, plush squeaky toys and fabric ropes.
Discourage inappropriate chewing by taking the object away, saying “no” and then offering the appropriate chew toy. This introduction of the alternate chew toy will teach your dog what is theirs to gnaw on and what isn’t.
Keep in mind that your dog doesn’t understand or remember when they’ve done something wrong- especially if the act was done hours before you got home. Your furry friend's life revolves around you, so they aren’t chewing your things out of spite.
Canines are intelligent creatures, therefore their actions don’t need to be punished but rather trained to change.
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