Puppies will chew everything, even you. It’s their way of exploring, playing, saying hello, and easing their aching teeth that are just starting to grow in, and they don’t know any better! It’s one of the most frustrating things dog owners go through in raising a puppy. You need to let your puppy know what’s his to chew and what’s not.
With these strategies, try three times. If your dog doesn’t get the picture, go on to the next one, because it means he isn’t clear on what you want, or doesn’t want to listen to you.
What to do when the puppy is chewing household objects (furniture, rugs, etc…)
Try these methods in the order given – they’re ordered from mildest to harshest, using the positive reinforcement strategy as much as possible (sometimes it is necessary to vary from the positive reinforcement strategy in the case of an extremely difficult or dominant dog). Use the mildest strategy that gets the message across to your dog.
- When the puppy is chewing an inappropriate object, throw a toy where he can see it, and praise him as soon as he bites the toy.
- Make a short, loud noise. When he looks at you, praise him. Then throw him the toy and praise him as soon as he bites down.
- Gently bump his rump with your hand. When stops and looks at you, or even if he just stops and doesn’t look at you, praise him and throw him a chew toy, and praise when he bites down.
- In a deep voice, say your puppy’s name, as though you’re extremely disappointed. Praise him when he looks at you or stops chewing, or both, and throw him a chew toy, making sure you praise him as soon as he bites down on the toy.
- In an angry voice, say your puppy’s name. Praise him when he stops and looks at you, throw him a chew toy and give praise when he bites down.
- Take your puppy by his collar and give him a toy. Praise him when he bites the toy.
- Take your puppy by the collar and harshly say “No!”, in a deep, growling voice. Give him a chew toy and praise him when he bites down.
- Take him by the scruff of his neck and shake him several times, and in a voice that mimics a bark, say “No!” This should always be the last resort in raising your puppy, but it won’t hurt him. It mimics how a mother dog treats her puppies when they have crossed a line, or are doing something inappropriate. This technique is often used to break dogs of their dominance. It puts your dog in his place and establishes you as the leader instead of the dog.
*Food can always be used to praised your dog, as well as verbal praise and physical praise.
What to do if your dog is chewing on you:
Again, the least harsh strategy that your dog responds to should be used. They are ordered from mildest to harshest.
- If your dog starts biting you, make a loud, high pitched sound, or an exaggerated, “OW!”. When two dogs are playing and one bites too hard, the dog that was bitten yelps to let the other dog know it was too hard. To your dog, the high pitched sound will sound like a yelp.
- Redirect his biting to a chew toy. Praise him when he bites down on the toy.
- Get up, walk away and turn your back, with your arms crossed. When he becomes disinterested, approach him again. If he bites, turn away again.
- Get up and leave the room. Count to 15 and go back into the room and pet him. If he bites again, leave the room again.
- Yell “No!” roughly, and throw him a toy. Praise as usual when he bites it.
- “Yell “No!” roughly, and gently push him off. Praise him when he stop biting.
- If he bites your hand, push your hand into his mouth behind his teeth. Praise him when he lets go.
- If all else fails, you may have to resort to pushing his muzzle closed with your hand. Hold for a five seconds, and let go. Put your hand up to his mouth and praise him if he licks it.
Never use any physical force to control your dog. This will only make him scared of you, which is not the kind of healthy relationship that owners and dogs should have. Worse, using strong, physical force can bring out aggressiveness tendencies, especially in German Shephard, Rottweilers and other dogs that are sometimes used as guard dogs.
