let's talk CHEWING

[yorkiediva716]

So im discovering that when I leave sparkle home by herself (no more than 3hrs ) she is now tearing up her wee wee pads and has begun chewing .When I.got home last night looked like there were wood chips everywhere. Where the h.e double hockey sticks did they come from. We haven't been to a park today and I don't use them in my garden. It was the leg on my antique dresser passed down a few generations. I've tried telling her no, she listens when I'm here but when im gone she's acting out (?). I spend all day every day with her we play in my yard after she goes potty (can go in over an hour each time).is this an aggression or separation issue? Is this just a phase? She has plenty toys, squeaky, rope pull toys, chew toys,balls (light up balls and the ones that have bells in them), kong toys, plush ones too... I've tried deterrent so far hasn't worked. What can I do to stop this behavior. Please help us

[Magnus]

The kong toys, are these the type where you put treats inside? Is she food driven? Maybe try leaving the radio/tv on while you're gone. I think it makes them feel less lonely.

If nothing else.. how about leaving her in the x-pen when you're out of the house? Since it's usually no more than 3 hrs, I think maybe that might be your answer.

[maxdog]

Max only chews his toys but Sasha would chew the whole house down if I let her! She has tons of toys and chews them all the time. But she also wants to chew all the wall corners and moldings. She has chewed through the paint and into the drywall on a couple of corners. She does that when we are not there ( could be anxiety or separation) but she also does it right in front of me. I bought some all natural spray that deters the chewing because it tastes horrible. And I can tell you it does taste horrible because I walked around 2 weeks ago to put some on the the spots she chews and somehow some got onto my hand which then somehow made its way to my mouth and I couldn't get that taste out of my all day!

How do we stop them from chewing things other than their toys?

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by maxdog

Max only chews his toys but Sasha would chew the whole house down if I let her! She has tons of toys and chews them all the time. But she also wants to chew all the wall corners and moldings. She has chewed through the paint and into the drywall on a couple of corners. She does that when we are not there ( could be anxiety or separation) but she also does it right in front of me. I bought some all natural spray that deters the chewing because it tastes horrible. And I can tell you it does taste horrible because I walked around 2 weeks ago to put some on the the spots she chews and somehow some got onto my hand which then somehow made its way to my mouth and I couldn't get that taste out of my all day!

How do we stop them from chewing things other than their toys?

ROFL Was it bitter apple? I made the same mistake before also. YUCK!

How old is Sasha? Maybe tether her till she is trained not to chew on other things? Is she teething? How about you make a loud noise to scare her whenever she tries to chew on something she's not supposed to. Like coins in a can. (Really freaks out some dogs so not always a good idea..)

[maxdog]

Originally Posted by Magnus

ROFL Was it bitter apple? I made the same mistake before also. YUCK!

How old is Sasha? Maybe tether her till she is trained not to chew on other things? Is she teething? How about you make a loud noise to scare her whenever she tries to chew on something she's not supposed to. Like coins in a can. (Really freaks out some dogs so not always a good idea..)

It was bitter apple! UGH! I can still taste it! Sasha will be 15 month in 10 days. She is not teething (had her puppy teeth pulled while being spayed). The loud noise sounds good but having it with me all the time could be a problem. She will walk in while I am on the pot and start chewing the wall under the vanity. The loud noise she hears is me yelling "SASHA! UH UH!!". She looks at me with the "stop bothering me" look but she will walk away.

She also loves to chew on tags. The tags on throw, pillows, blankets etc.

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by maxdog

It was bitter apple! UGH! I can still taste it! Sasha will be 15 month in 10 days. She is not teething (had her puppy teeth pulled while being spayed). The loud noise sounds good but having it with me all the time could be a problem. She will walk in while I am on the pot and start chewing the wall under the vanity. The loud noise she hears is me yelling "SASHA! UH UH!!". She looks at me with the "stop bothering me" look but she will walk away.

She also loves to chew on tags. The tags on throw, pillows, blankets etc.

Did the bitter apple work at all? I know some dogs actually like the taste. If your voice isn't deterring her, maybe the coins in can would be better. Maybe keep several can in places like the "pot" (I assume you mean bathroom?), kitchen, etc so you won't have to carry it all over the house.

I usually just cut off the tags on all their toys. Thankfully, they don't chew on anything else other than their chews and treats. Have you tried giving her chews? Like Texas Toothpicks? I give my two odorless bully sticks. Keeps their teeth clean too.

[maxdog]

The bitter apple does work for me. I just have to remember to re-spray or it wears off and she is back at it again.

I like the term "Texas Toothpicks"! Kinda like Colorado oysters!

[oneofakind864]

My dog was doing the same thing and we got the bitter apple stuff and rubbed all the cords we couldn't get up, the moldings and furniture legs. So far so good.

I also have a squirt bottle with a focused spray that can squirt about 8 feet. When she goes for something she isn't supposed to that we couldn't use the bitter apple on ( Like upholstery).."God" mysteriously sends a wet spurt into her backside. ( She HATES it) But since I squirt then look away nonchalantly ( I do everything but whistle! LOL) when she jerks around to see if " I" am the cause of the water...she hasn't made the connection it only happens when I am there. SO far she believes that chewing "No no's" get her wet and even when we aren't right there she has stopped. But it IS pretty funny to see her sniff a no no..then look around to see if water is forthcoming! LOL

[Nancy1999]

Dogs do have a need to chew and I think they should be given specific things to chew on. I have use bully sticks and even real bison back rib bones with my dogs. You might want to ask your vet what he recommends. Also, you might want to consider washable pee pads, they are less likely to chew on those. Petsmart sells some great ones. Top Paw Washable Training Pad | Potty Training | PetSmart. I've literally washed them thousands of times and seriously no signs of wear. They are thin but hold an incredible amount of urine, my son's 20 lb Shih Tzu, used one when he was visiting and no leakage.

I do think part of the problem might be separation anxiety and perhaps this article can be helpful.
Chewing - Why do dogs chew? Stop your Puppy Chewing | Vetwest Animal Hospitals

[maxdog]

Originally Posted by oneofakind864

My dog was doing the same thing and we got the bitter apple stuff and rubbed all the cords we couldn't get up, the moldings and furniture legs. So far so good.

I also have a squirt bottle with a focused spray that can squirt about 8 feet. When she goes for something she isn't supposed to that we couldn't use the bitter apple on ( Like upholstery).."God" mysteriously sends a wet spurt into her backside. ( She HATES it) But since I squirt then look away nonchalantly ( I do everything but whistle! LOL) when she jerks around to see if " I" am the cause of the water...she hasn't made the connection it only happens when I am there. SO far she believes that chewing "No no's" get her wet and even when we aren't right there she has stopped. But it IS pretty funny to see her sniff a no no..then look around to see if water is forthcoming! LOL

Hilarious!

[yorkiediva716]

Originally Posted by Magnus

The kong toys, are these the type where you put treats inside? Is she food driven? Maybe try leaving the radio/tv on while you're gone. I think it makes them feel less lonely.

I usually leave the tv on... She watches cartoons alot lol... She does anything for food so I put treats in her kong but maybe she's bored with it idk.

If nothing else.. how about leaving her in the x-pen when you're out of the house? Since it's usually no more than 3 hrs, I think maybe that might be your answer.

Yeah I'm thinking so. It's big enough for her to poop and play so she'll be ok. She just whines and cries so bad.

[QUOTE=maxdog;4556459]Max only chews his toys but Sasha would chew the whole house down if I let her! She has tons of toys and chews them all the time. But she also wants to chew all the wall corners and moldings. She has chewed through the paint and into the drywall on a couple of corners. She does that when we are not there ( could be anxiety or separation) but she also does it right in front of me. I bought some all natural spray that deters the chewing because it tastes horrible. And I can tell you it does taste horrible because I walked around 2 weeks ago to put some on the the spots she chews and somehow some got onto my hand which then somehow made its way to my mouth and I couldn't get that taste out of my all day!


Ugh I bought that stuff and my mouth tasted like crap all night. Never tried it again lol

[oneofakind864]

[quote=yorkiediva716;4556580]Yeah I'm thinking so. It's big enough for her to poop and play so she'll be ok. She just whines and cries so bad.

Originally Posted by maxdog

Max only chews his toys but Sasha would chew the whole house down if I let her! She has tons of toys and chews them all the time. But she also wants to chew all the wall corners and moldings. She has chewed through the paint and into the drywall on a couple of corners. She does that when we are not there ( could be anxiety or separation) but she also does it right in front of me. I bought some all natural spray that deters the chewing because it tastes horrible. And I can tell you it does taste horrible because I walked around 2 weeks ago to put some on the the spots she chews and somehow some got onto my hand which then somehow made its way to my mouth and I couldn't get that taste out of my all day!


Ugh I bought that stuff and my mouth tasted like crap all night. Never tried it again lol

I have heard that acids like lemon juice or vinegars will get the taste out..but hopefully I will never have to give it a try. YUCK!

[yorkiediva716]

Originally Posted by oneofakind864

My dog was doing the same thing and we got the bitter apple stuff and rubbed all the cords we couldn't get up, the moldings and furniture legs. So far so good.

I also have a squirt bottle with a focused spray that can squirt about 8 feet. When she goes for something she isn't supposed to that we couldn't use the bitter apple on ( Like upholstery).."God" mysteriously sends a wet spurt into her backside. ( She HATES it) But since I squirt then look away nonchalantly ( I do everything but whistle! LOL) when she jerks around to see if " I" am the cause of the water...she hasn't made the connection it only happens when I am there. SO far she believes that chewing "No no's" get her wet and even when we aren't right there she has stopped. But it IS pretty funny to see her sniff a no no..then look around to see if water is forthcoming! LOL

Lol that is awesome. .we gotta put a call in to god for sparkle lol

[mindy10]

My Sammie is a big chewer. He chews balk mulch, rocks, paper and thing he can get his mouth on. That's why I think he hacks all the time because he irritates his throat!! He started to chew my kitchen island and I put soap on it and he never did it again. So you might want to try that.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by mindy10

My Sammie is a big chewer. He chews balk mulch, rocks, paper and thing he can get his mouth on. That's why I think he hacks all the time because he irritates his throat!! He started to chew my kitchen island and I put soap on it and he never did it again. So you might want to try that.

Do you give him appropriate things to chew on?