by Melissa A. Bartell

Created on: March 20, 2009

*Puppies and Chewing: A Three-Fold Plan*
Every family who has adopted a puppy has had to go through the chewing stage. While it may seem like puppies chew on things - anything and everything - just to vex their owners, this is an exaggeration. Puppies actually chew for a variety of reasons: to help ease teething discomfort, to explore their environment, to stave off hunger and to keep themselves entertained. Owner vexation, damaged furniture, and destroyed shoes are not the puppy's end goal, merely unfortunate side effects.

Understanding that puppies need to chew is the first step of an active solution. The second step is a three-fold plan to make sure the puppy chews what she is supposed to, rather than whatever she finds. The three parts of the plan, which work together rather than in sequence are:

1. Arrange for your puppy to do the right thing, and reward her when she does.

2. Prevent your puppy from doing the wrong thing, and stop her if she does.

3. Contain your puppy when you can't watch her, so she has no opportunity to make a mistake.

*Doing the Right Thing*

Your job as pet-owner is to make sure your puppy has things she is allowed - and even encouraged - to chew. These items may include rawhide chews, nylon bones, rubber Kong toys, bully sticks, knotted ropes, or any number of other reasonably rugged objects.

When offering a chew toy to your puppy, don't just toss the object in front of her. Instead, play with it, babbling to the puppy about how great it is, waggle it in front of her so she becomes interested in it, and then let her have it. If she already knows "sit" or "down," make her work for the toy. Once she has it, and is happily gnawing away, praise her for doing so.

It's also a good idea to have several chew toys available to your puppy. How many? As many as she thinks she needs. This keeps her from getting bored with one chew toy, and reduces the likelihood that she will run out of appropriate things to chew.

Another way to help your puppy do the right thing, is to make sure you never give her old shoes or slippers, because she doesn't know the difference between a ratty old scuff and a brand new pair of spa slippers. You can give her old socks, but be sure to knot them first, to distinguish them from socks people actually use.

Remember that you can praise the puppy for chewing on something appropriate whenever you come across her doing so. This only reinforces the good behavior.

*Preventing the Wrong Thing*

Noted positive-reinforcement dog trainer

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