When you have a new puppy, you’ll soon realize that nothing is safe from those tiny piranha teeth. Your puppy chews on everything to relieve sore, teething gums, to explore the world around them, and to relieve boredom.
It can take months for them to learn to distinguish between toys and your personal belongings. In the meantime, you can work on training while you take preventative measures to keep them from chewing you out of house and home.
What To Do When Your Puppy Chews On Everything
When you catch your puppy gnawing on something expensive, you may find it hard to stay calm and collected. Please remember that puppies do not know how expensive something is; they only notice how nice it feels on those aching gums.
Take a deep breath, and without yelling or scolding, trade the forbidden item for something of a similar texture.
For example, if your puppy has a penchant for your leather boots, it can be helpful to have leather dog toys on hand. If they go for your kids’ stuffed animals, make sure they have plenty of their own fuzzy squeaky toys.
To make the toy more enticing, squeak the squeaker and shake it around close to the ground. Using toys to play with your puppy is the easiest way to show them what’s appropriate, and to prove to them that toys are much more fun than boring shoes or furniture.
Toys & Tools To Prevent Destructive Chewing
For your puppy’s safety, they should be crated or confined to a safe room or playpen when you’re not able to supervise them. This includes when you’re not able to give them your undivided attention, such as when you’re cooking, washing dishes, or helping your kids with their homework. You may be surprised at how quickly your little land shark can get into trouble if left to their own devices.
Keep in mind that confinement keeps your puppy safe from getting into cleaning products, toxic plants, and objects that they could choke on, or that may cause an obstruction.
Crate training takes time. You may want to put their crate, full of soft bedding, inside a playpen with the crate door open while your puppy learns to adjust to being alone.
Also, consider updating your storage areas around your home. Shoes that once hung out at the bottom of your closet can be kept safe with an over-the-door shoe rack. Your kids can quickly learn to clean up using a fun new cube storage unit decorated with stickers.
Why Does My Puppy Go Crazy Before Bed?
Though your puppy may, at times, seem like a ball of unbridled energy, they quickly run out of batteries between spurts of mischief.
Puppies need to sleep around 18-20 hours per day. As night falls, your puppy may actually become overtired, even with sporadic naps throughout the day. Like a sleepy toddler, a sleepy puppy produces a shot of cortisol to keep them going, which can send them into an adrenaline-fueled craze.
When your puppy is overtired, no belongings, fingers, or toes are safe. Gentle playtime can help your wired puppy wind down for bedtime. Make sure to use toys as a barrier to protect your fingers from those needlelike milk teeth.
Puppy Training – Start Early To Raise A Smart, Happy Dog!
It’s never too early to start training your puppy.
When you work with a humane, science-based positive trainer like Karen Cohen from Healthy Houndz, you’ll set a foundation of lifelong skills and establish boundaries from the start.
We’ll get you on the fast track to a smart, well-behaved dog that gets compliments everywhere you go.
Learn more about our specialty puppy training programs for families with or without kids. Get in touch today!
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