Bitter Apple Did NOT Work!!!
 

Ok, so Katie Scarlett has a habit of attacking a faux house plant we have and chewing on her leashes. The house plant has one limb stripped bare. We've tried shaking the can of coins at her and that worked for a while. Now she just looks and goes on about her business until we chase her off. I read where so many had raved about bitter apple spray so we got some. I sprayed the plant with it as well as her leashes. All she did was lick the plant even more and then attack. She still continues to chew on her leash. This chewing kept on immediately after I sprayed so I think she likes the stuff. Go figure! LOL

So anyways, I was wondering if there is anything else we could try? I read where you can try a mixture of water and white vinegar. But all I have in the house right now is apple cider vinegar. Would it hurt to try that? I also read where you can mix hot sauce with water to deter chewing, but I am in NO WAY doing that!!!! I just don't know what to do. When she starts chewing we try to direct her to toys, but she will always go back to chewing on what she shouldn't. I caught her chewing at the wall the other day. I know she is still in that puppy chewing stage and will be for quite some time. I am not losing my patience with her or anything, but I wish I could get her to stop chewing on the leash especially. I am willing to remove the faux house plant all together, but obviously I cannot take away the leash. I have to have that for walks, training, etc.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!;)

LOL my rottweiler liked bitter apple too! She used to chew through walls though so not much stopped her. But Kaos didn't chew anything in his life that wasnt his...soo I'm not too much help.

If he had been a chewer and I was in your position, I would probably try a squirt water bottle, followed by a "no" and if she continued I would put her in a short crate time out. When Kaos did something I didn't like thats what I did. He knew if he didn't want to be crated not to do those behaviors, and he picked up on it fast. :)

You know those freezable baby chew toys?? Well i got 1 and put it in the freezer specifically for that. My puppy, Carter, loves the toy now. He will chew on that for a bit until he wants to go chew his chew toys. It comes in handy!

Cailee seems to like bitter apple too. She started to chew on a wicker magazine rack so I tried the bitter apple. Didn't phase her. In the past I've used a water bottle (with a little vinegar ) to squirt Cody when he barks. So I now use that on Cailee when she attempts to chew the wicker with a firm "NO".

P.S. someone at my vet office had suggested the vinegar (I use a small amount of white vinegar just to give a taste) and they said to squirt it in his mouth. It worked -- now all I have to do is pick up the bottle as a warning.

Thanks everyone! I will definitely try these tips out! Y'all are the best!

My Izzy actually liked the taste of that bitter apple stuff:laugh: She used to chew the wooden parts of any furniture she could and it was maddening! Someone here (can't remember who, this was almost 5 years ago) suggested men's deodorant. Yeah, sounds weird and even not so good for them, but the small amount they get really won't harm them, at least it didn't hurt Izzy any. It did, however, END the chewing issue. I just bought a cheapo stick at the dollar store, rubbed it on all the wood, and waited....She went to chew the table leg and made the funniest face and hasn't chewed on anything since (except for a few phone charger cords and some hair clips, grrrr!!!)

Good luck:D!!!

Yep, we had a schnauzer addicted to the stuff! And now Harry's loving the squirty water bottle (sits there with his mouth open. waiting!!! :D) and adores the pennies in the can - thinks it's his new musical toy.

We've never tried the mens deodorant or vinegar but surely worth a try? Sounds like the sharp 'NO' and then bully stick in her crate for 10 minutes time out might be the best solution (so far!). I'm sure you'll get loads more brilliant ideas! :) Sally + Harry x

Yes Harley likes it too... He liked the spot it was on, made a funny face, then started chomping back on the stuff he was chewing.

I would work on teaching a "leave it" command. I find that very useful. Some basic directions are as follows. If you have any questions feel free to PM me, my notifications aren't working right so I don't get emails in a timely matter for all of my post's replies.

Start with your dog in a sit beside you on the floor. Put a treat in your hand. open it, and show the treat, if the dog gets up before you tell them a release command, close your hand and say "leave it" or whatever word you want to use. once they sit quietly you can say "go" or "free" and let them have it. Then put the treat on the floor and cover it, and do the same process, waiting longer and longer before letting them have the treat.

Then you can start to give them a different treat making them still leave that treat. There are two ways this technique can branch from here. One is "leave it" for things they can't have (like the plants) and you give them another treat when they do leave it alone. The other is to work up to putting the treats on their paws, and nose and making them wait to have them (which is cute).

Hope this helps

Deodorant worked for me too! Layla used to chew furniture, carpet, even walls. I put some clear deodorant on the spots she was chewing, and she never did it again!

Thanks guys!