Chewing is natural, starting from PUP all the way to grown PUP. Dogs think that chewing is so normal that they will chew just about anything they can get their teeth on. That includes clothes, furniture, that brand new pair of shoes, and even the walls in some cases!
This is not just an issue of having to replace valuable items. It is not safe! There are many items that can present choking hazards or contain chemicals that can be harmful when chewed. Correcting issues with chewing is a protection for your PUP.
Encourage appropriate chewing. This can be best accomplished by giving your dog something they would prefer to chew over your Jimmy Choo’s or Air Jordans. Just kidding, we all know it was the Sketchers. Dogs will have their preference, but some favorites could be a tasty dental stick or an elk horn.
Toys are also a great option. Something they can pick up and carry around, but big enough they won’t choke on it. Find one or two things or more that your dog prefers to chew on and you will have no worries redirecting their attention.
If you find your dog chewing on an inappropriate item then correct and scold them immediately. Take the item away. Then replace it with an appropriate item. Your PUP will quickly learn the boundaries of what is important and what is not.
Always remember, a tired dog is well behaved dog! Encourage play time and get your dog out. It works for kids and it works for dogs. Wear them out and they will be too tired to cause any trouble.