Break the Chewing Habit Teach Your Dog Good Manners
The sight of a mischievous puppy shredding a pair of designer shoes or splintering a chair leg is a classic meme and a reminder of the challenges of adopting a pet. Puppies, like babies, tend to explore the world with their mouths. Older dogs can also fall into bad chewing habits because of boredom, stress, anxiety, or a lack of chew toys. Training a pet in appropriate chewing habits is the owner’s responsibility and is best done with positive reinforcement. Here are three techniques that can teach dogs, young and old, what is okay to chew.
colors and textures. And beware of inadvertently turning a chewing offense into a game! If your dog grabs a favorite slipper and takes off, don’t chase them and play tug-of-war! This will only encourage them to start that fun game again. Provide exercise. Your pet will be less tempted to shred your personal items if they get plenty of exercise. If you take your dog for a walk, give them a chance to stop and sniff along the path rather than dragging them along on a power walk.
If you have a teething puppy, freeze a rubber toy and encourage them to chomp down on it to ease their gum pain. Also, avoid punishment. Yelling or yanking an object out of your pet’s mouth can frighten them and lead to behavior problems. Instead, teach your pet to drop a forbidden item by offering to exchange it for a treat. This will be especially handy if you catch your dog chewing something scary, such as a medication bottle. Following these good training practices will protect your pet from forming bad habits, avoid damage to your belongings, and foster some fun play time as well!
Set your dog up for success. If your puppy is teething, chewing on a variety of materials can make their gums feel better. Anticipate their needs by keeping personal items off-limits, such as shoes, favorite stuffed animals, or remote controls. Block their access to closets or other areas with tempting off- limits items. Keep them on a leash with you in the house if necessary, and guide your pet’s attention to items that are okay to chew. Offer fun toys. Provide mental stimulation with puzzle toys or a rubber KONG filled with treats. Choose toys in a variety of
Marty Chartier Shauntaya Trujillo Rance Brady Clients Spreading the Word
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
We Reward Referrals!
WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator