Why mastiffs chew

On the other hand, a tired dog is a good dog, so make sure they get lots of physical and mental activity. The amount of exercise should be based on their age, health and breed characteristics. While daily walks and other outdoor time are crucial to their well-being, letting your dog sniff will be more enriching than trying to power walk two miles without stopping.

For dogs who enjoy the company of other dogs, a well-run doggy daycare can be an excellent choice for high-energy pups. Build toys into your daily routine. Instead of bowls, put their food in a puzzle toy or fill a Kong-type toy with their kibble.

For more advanced chewers, cover the openings of the puzzle toy with canned cheese or peanut butter and freeze overnight before giving it to them. And be sure to keep a rotation of toys—novel items are way more fun for your dog than chewing on the same toy from last year. Keep some toys hidden and bring them out when you need to keep your dog occupied. If you catch your dog chewing on something they shouldn't, trade them for a toy that is appropriate. As your dog catches on to this idea, you can add the command "give" as their cue to release the object in exchange for the treat.

If your puppy is teething, try freezing a rubber toy; the cold rubber will soothe their gums. As always, supervise your puppy so they don't chew and swallow any pieces. Make items unpleasant to your dog. Caution: Supervise your dog when you first try one of these deterrents.

The most important thing you can do to prevent destructive behavior is to give your dog lots of exercise and love! Keeping your dog well-exercised and giving him lots of social stimulation when you're home can go a long way to changing his behavior when you're not home. After all, who isn't ready to settle in for a long, quiet nap after a brisk walk in the neighborhood or a session of backyard fetch?

What you shouldn't do is discipline your dog after the fact. Your dog might act ashamed on your viral video, but really he's reacting to your tone of voice and mannerisms. Correcting your dog when you catch him in the act can help him learn, but telling him "no" hours after the fact won't help him connect the discipline with the destruction.

We know destructive dogs can cause havoc on a home. Consider why your canine pal is acting out, and give him some alternative options to let out his boundless energy.

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie. Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.

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A toy would smell of plastic, which is not necessarily a pleasant smell for a dog, [whereas] the shoe stinks of a human, which is a fantastic smell [for a dog].

They love it. There is no contest. That means that it's up to the human to teach the dog to ditch the smelly shoes in favor of the sterile toy. One way to do this, Tennant said, is to use chasing games to reinforce the relationship between the toy and the dog.

It's part of their nature. The moment you dash over to take an object away from them, they will run off with it — exactly the same way they would if another dog came over. Every time the dog did, the guardian shushed him and gave him a cookie. She was inadvertently rewarding and encouraging the chewing. Did I mention the pooch was a bit portly? These dogs are in a constant state of emotional conflict, heightened arousal, and stress.

For them, the only way out seems to be destructive behaviors. Analyzing a dog chewing problem The first step is to work with your veterinarian to determine what triggers the chewing.

Young pups and early adults are probably investigating and playing. Chewing doorways may be separation or confinement anxiety-related. I also evaluate if the dog is receiving adequate interactive playtime, exercise , and environmental enrichment.

Treating dog chewing Excessive or destructive chewing is normally based on some emotional requirement such as curiosity, boredom or anxiety.

Treatment begins by ensuring the dog is exercising enough, has plenty of social interaction and playtime, and ample opportunity to explore.