02/01/2023
Why do dogs chew?
Biting and chewing are completely natural behaviours and are an essential part of being a dog. Dogs chew to relieve boredom, loneliness, stress, frustration and anxiety. Chewing releases endorphins and calms and comforts the dog. Dogs that are stressed, for example if they are left alone for long periods, or ones that are bored, will often find relief by chewing, and that can cause conflict. What to you is a piece of furniture, or ornament, to a dog is just something to potentially chew.
What can you do it your dog chews when it is left alone? Firstly make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise, a tired dog is a happy dog. Take them for long walks with plenty of opportunity for running around before leaving them. Chewing can be more to do with boredom than stress, a sleeping dog can't chew anything!
Secondly leave then with things they are allowed to chew, or with toys to entertain them such as snuffle toys or lick mats. There is no guaranty that they will chew what you leave out, but if you don't leave anything they have no choice.
Thirdly introduce your dog to being left along gradually, start by closing the door when you leave the room, don't let them follow you around the house. Then go out for short periods and come back in, slowly increasing how long you are out for. Don't make a big fuss when you leave and return, make going out seem normal and nothing special.
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