When I teach puppy class there are questions about puppies who chew “everything.” Here are a few of my current strategies for my own puppy.
Chewing time!
1) Puppy proof before setting the puppy loose! This wasn’t very much work because I keep a lot of tempting things away from my adult dogs. Look for things that would be of extra interest to a puppy – frayed rugs, wicker, dangling pieces of fabric (curtains, tablecloths), cords. Limit how many opportunities the puppy will have to chew on inappropriate objects.
2) Find out what is interesting to your puppy: When puppies are very young they aren’t as good at using their mouths and so they won’t cause a lot of damage. My puppy tried to chew on many, many different things. I typically did not intervene and I let it happen. Most of the objects he tasted once or twice and then he moved on. If I had given him attention – traded for a toy, called him away, tugged the item out of his mouth – all of those things would likely increase his interest in those objects. There were a few things he showed continual interest in – and I removed those from the area (boots, one specific wooden chair) and other things I blocked off with a gate.
3) Give many, great, varied, appropriate chew items: Talk to your veterinarian and a high end pet store to figure out great, delicious chew items. There are risks with almost any product – we want to minimize those risks. When I last counted, I had 38 bones, rubber toys (Kongs), and other animal parts all on the floor of a fairly small room. Occasionally I try to put them in a bucket so I can clean – and then the dogs enjoy getting them out again. By having so many objects available I can increase the chance he will pick something appropriate. By having a variety, I can increase the chance that there will be something he wants.
A chew object larger than his head!
4) Redirect in a neutral way: Occasionally he started chewing on something not so great (…computer cord – the little velcro tab!). I got up and walked away. He followed to see what would happen. And then when we came back I could put away the object so that he could not access it again. Pulling things away, talking to the puppy and trading objects can all increase interest in the object.
5) Use management: I gated off/closed doors to any areas that I did not want to puppy proof. I know if I gave my puppy too much space it would be harder to supervise him!
This puppy hasn’t been very destructive (yet?) – even though he has tasted almost everything in the house, it’s easy to persuade him what sorts of things are appropriate and delicious chew items.