Dealing with Destructive Chewing Dogs

When kids tell their teachers that their dogs ate their homework, teachers tend to not believe them. But the fact is, some dogs will chew on anything and everything in sight!

I've heard story after story about dogs that chewed up everything from iPhones and remote controls to shoes, furniture and toys. You name it and, at one time or another, a dog has probably chewed on it.

Is your dog a destructive chewer? Has he destroyed things in your home or personal items, like clothes, shoes and electronics?

It's a real problem.

The fact is, dogs LIKE to chew. So, if you don't give your dog his own personal things to chew, he will be forced to satisfy his natural instincts by chewing the things around him ... YOUR things! And trust me, he will find plenty of things that are pleasing to chew.

Destructive chewing can be a very difficult behavior to deal with, but here are some tips that may help:

1. Give your dog a good quality chew toy. Make sure he has plenty of toys and that he knows what is acceptable to chew on and what is not.

2. Rotate your dog's toys so he doesn't get bored with the same toy.

3. If your dog chews up toys, choose durable toys that are nearly indestructible.

4. Make sure there are no removable parts that can be easily torn off and ingested.

5. Avoid toys that are small enough for your dog to swallow or too large for him to play with comfortably.

6. When you first give your dog a new toy, supervise his play to make sure that he plays with it appropriately.

7. Choose washable toys. Between the dirt and drool, your dog's chew toys can become pretty disgusting ... not to mention a natural breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria.

A good chew toy will satisfy your dog's natural urge to chew, help keep his life interesting and keep him contentedly entertained for hours on end. It can also help break your dog of those destructive chewing behaviors.

When you're shopping for a good chew toy, choose wisely. My staff and I are always on the lookout for the best new dog toys, so we've tested plenty of chew toys over the years. Recently, we found a very inventive new chew toy called Bottle Crunchers. The idea behind this toy is very smart ... and dogs just LOVE it!

For some reason, dogs just love the popping/crunching sound the plastic water bottles make when they chew on them. But as your dog chews, the sharp edges from the bottle's broken plastic can create a real health hazard, often slicing your dog's gums and mouth. Bottle Crunchers make the activity safe by protecting your dog's mouth. These brightly colored
protective "sleeves" (designed to look like a cute animal) fit snuggly around the empty water bottle and keep the sharp edges from cutting your dog's mouth. So he can chew to his heart's content.

Bottle Crunchers clean up nicely. Just throw them in the wash to remove all the dirt and drool. And when the water bottle inside wears out, just open the Bottle Crunchers sleeve and insert a new one.

One more comment about destructive chewing before I go. If a dog chews up and ingests items, it can cause serious health problems for your dog . Eating the stuffing in those pillows and sofa cushions can lead to serious gastro-intestinal problems that can require surgery.