Destructive chewing has always been one of the most common complaints of dog owners.
No matter how goodnatured and well trained the dog is there will always be a time when the dog will turn its attention to the carpet, to the furniture or to an expensive shoe.
Chewing, like barking and digging is a natural canine behavior.
You won't see a dog without the propensity to chew very often.
The chewing habit is naturally very annoying, but you should realize that the pet does not know the difference between an expensive designer shoe, the threadbare and a pair of smelly sleepers.
Puppies often start chewing habit when they are teething.
Experts say that chewing eases the discomfort felt by the pup because of growing teeth.
This chewing behavior is however carried by dog even when it matures.
A dog will chew on just about anything their mouth can bite over.
Dogs do not really know the destruction they are creating when they chew.
This action is not done to spite you because you have forgotten to fill the water bowl or because your didn't take the dog for a long enough walk on one particular day.
Naturally there are reasons why the pet indulge in this destructive behavior.
It is important to know these reasons to effectively deal with and stop your dogs chewing habit.
As mentioned, puppies chew when they are teething.
However, mature dog can also develop a habit of chewing when they are lonely, bored and when they are seeking attention.
The dog would be enticed to chew a colorful and attractive object that is lying around and thought of to be a toy by the pet.
Excited dogs are also known to chew.
One of the best ways to stop destructive chewing in dogs is to apply obedience training.
Chewing is a behavioral problem.
The training will instill the fact that you, as the pack leader, must be obeyed.
The dog must be taught to stop chewing when it hears a firm NO! Provide the dog with lots of exercise through walks, runs, play and generally giving it attention and both human and dog to dog contact.
This behavioral problem is oftentimes caused by boredom and loneliness.
Spending time with and exercising will create a closer bond between you and your pet.
Provide the dog with toys it can gnaw on.
A spray bottle filled with cold water can be a handy tool.
Every time the dog starts chewing on an inappropriate objects say NO and spritz its face with the cold water.
After doing this a couple of times merely showing the bottle to the dog is likely to stop the unwanted behaviour.
While a bottle of water certainly is a handy tool.
It is no substitute for exercise, playtime and general obedience training.
Some dogs develop a fondness for a certain objects like the leg of a table or the upholstered sofa.
Tabasco sauce, bitter apple or cayenne pepper slathered on the object will deter the dogs destructive chewing behaviour.