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Is your dog chewing up everything in sight?  This is one of the most frustrating dog behavior problems to deal with.  However, with the right dog training advice, you can solve this problem.  Here are seven tips to get you started.

1.  Give Him Lots Of Attention

Your undivided attention is the one thing your dog needs from you the most.  Play fetch with him, take him for long walks, spend time with him.  Lots of exercise will use up the extra energy he has.

2.  Dog-proof Your Home.

Put away things like shoes, cell phones, tv remotes, books, eyeglasses, and whatever other goodies your dog loves to chew on.  Dogs don’t resist temptation well, so don’t tempt him.

3.  Can Your Dog Reach It?

Consider your dog’s size and agility when you’re putting things away.  Can he jump up on the counter to get at something?  Or is he a climber?  Or is he big enough to just stand on his hind legs and reach it?

4.  Don’t Leave Him Tied Up All The Time

Your dog can’t learn what you expect from him if he’s alway left in a dog-proofed area all the time.  He does need to push the boundaries when you’re there, so he can learn which toys are his, and which are off limits.

5.  Keep Lots Of Toys Around

Give your dog two or three at a time, and swap them out every couple of days.  Dogs lose interest in the same old thing, just like we do, so give him lots of variety.  Keeping him occupied is the best way to solve the problem of a chewing dog.

6.  Don’t Blur The Boundaries

Avoid giving your dog old shoes or clothing or towels to chew on. It’s unrealistic to expect him to know the difference between your old shoe and your new designer shoes.  To a dog, a shoe is a shoe.

7.  Catch Him In The Act

Now you have a teachable moment.  If he knows the “drop-it” command, use it.  If he doesn’t, clap your hands or say, “Ah-ah-aaah.  In either case, give him an appropriate chew toy right away.  Praise him as soon as his mouth closes around it.  You’re showing him that chewing on his own toys is fine, but yours are off-limits.

Punishment usually has little effect for stopping dog chewing problems.  If you don’t catch him in the act, he’ll have no idea why he’s in trouble.  And even if you do, he’s liable to just wait until you’re gone to chew on your things.

Many dog behavior problems can be solved more easily than you would think.  For more dog training advice, just click on any link in this article.

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