It’s happened to all of us. We come home from a long day at work, and our dog is excited to see us. But when we enter the door, we realize that our house has been turned into a disaster zone. Chewed-up furniture, shredded pillows, and god knows what else… It’s enough to make you never want to leave your dog alone again. But don’t worry – there are ways to stop your dog from chewing everything in sight. This post will outline tips and tricks for preventing your pup from ruining your favorite things.

Understand Why Your Dog is Chewing

You’ve likely encountered the problem of your pup chewing on items they shouldn’t. It can be frustrating and dangerous if your dog starts gnawing on furniture, electrical cords, or other objects in your home. But why do dogs chew?

Hunger

If your dog is hungry or on a restrictive diet, it could lead to them chewing on objects that look or smell like food. This is because they are looking for a way to get the necessary nutrients and energy. So, if you see your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, it may be time to reevaluate their diet.

Separation Anxiety

When a dog is left alone, it may experience separation anxiety, and anxiety can lead to behavioral problems like chewing and general destructiveness. If you’re leaving your dog home alone, give them plenty of toys and food to keep them occupied.

Remain Calm

Unleashing your anger on your dog won’t accomplish anything. It can cause further unbalance – and he will seek another object to chew to calm down! Two things you can do is take a deep breath and count to ten. Removing yourself from the situation for a few minutes can help bring peace so you can calmly approach your pup and move forward.

Correct Your Dog

Do not try to grab the object or take the dog away from the thing. Instead, you can use a light touch correction on the neck or hindquarters to get your dog’s attention away from the object.

Train Using Basic Commands

Dogs are amazing creatures that can be taught a variety of basic commands. Teaching these commands to your dog can help make your life together much easier and more enjoyable.

Leave It

When your dog gets curious, and let’s face it, this is bound to happen quite often. Teaching the “leave it” command is essential for safety when their nose or eyes detect something dangerous.

Sit

Usually, the sit command is taught first as it is easier to learn. A dog obeying the most basic instructions is calmer and easier to control.

Come

Teaching your dog to come can keep your pup out of trouble if a door is left open or they get loose from the leash.

Redirect the Behavior

If the correction didn’t get your dog to obey, try something else, such as a treat or another toy. Redirecting a dog is essential for both the dog and the people in its life, and it can help keep the dog safe and prevent it from getting into trouble. There are a few basic steps to redirecting a dog, and with practice, you’ll be able to do it quickly and easily.

• Create a Positive Association
• Work Towards Redirecting Without a Treat
• Learn When it is Appropriate to Use
• Practice Often

Be Consistent

One of the main reasons why consistency is so important when training dogs is because they rely on routine more than anything else. Dogs like knowing what is going on and what is expected of them. If you vary how you train your dog from day to day or from person to person, they will become confused and may not respond as well to training overall. Being consistent teaches your furry friend that there is always a predictable outcome for their actions, which helps them learn faster and reduces frustration on both ends!

Claim the Object

Use your energy and body language to communicate to your dog that the object is yours. It can be helpful to imagine an invisible boundary around you and the object. Another recommendation is to dog-proof your house and put away off-limit things. Encourage your family to put personal belongings away and behind closed doors.

Find Safe Chew Toys

Many dogs use chewing as a way to calm themselves. Puppies who are teething chew to relieve pain. Provide an object they can safely gnaw on, such as a chew toy or a bully stick. One side note, do not give your pup an old shoe or couch pillow to play and gnaw on, as this sends conflicting messages that these types of objects are allowed. Your faithful friend cannot distinguish between your favorite new heels and old worn-out boots.

Supervise Your Dog

Until your dog is consistently chewing on appropriate toys, never leave them unsupervised with a toy. When unsupervised, dogs often chew items they shouldn’t, such as furniture or shoes. In addition, leaving a dog unsupervised with a toy can be dangerous; they may choke on it or swallow it whole. Supervising your dog can ensure they stay safe and only chew on appropriate items.

We understand that not everyone has the luxury of staying home for extended periods to watch and train your furry friend. Try leaving your dog in a small room with a baby gate or door closed for up to six hours. Be careful not to leave items that are dangerous to chew on, but rather leave a variety of safe and appropriate toys. Remember, when you return home from work, you should provide plenty of exercise and physical movement.

Physical Exercise

It is crucial to provide your dog with plenty of physical exercise. If dogs are bored, they will most likely chew something up because that’s one-way dogs entertain themselves when given nothing else! Daily walks and outings to burn off excess energy, tug-of-war games, or fetching items are some ways to get your pup active.

Mental Stimulation

If you’re looking for something to keep your furry friend happy and entertained, you should try giving them some mental stimulation. Puzzles, treat dispensers, and even just hiding their food around the house can help keep your pup’s mind active and healthy.

Seek Professional Help

If your dog still has trouble chewing even after trying all the above tips, it may be time to seek professional help. Enlisting a professional dog trainer can be expensive, but it may be worth it if your dog’s chewing problem persists. Professional trainers can help you determine why your dog is chewing and devise a customized plan to address the issue. In addition, they can provide valuable guidance on preventing future problems. If you decide to go this route, research and find a reputable trainer with experience working with dogs with similar issues.

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Why do they always go straight for the newest pair of shoes? The important document you needed for today’s meeting? The arm of the sofa?

There are many possible causes of destructive chewing. By identifying why your dog is engaging in the behavior, you’ll find it’s much easier to figure out how to stop it.

Reason’s Dogs Chew

Puppyhood

Just like human toddlers like to put things in their mouths, puppies use their mouth to explore and understand the world around them. The good news is that, for many, it’s a stage that they will outgrow over time. So puppy-proof your home in the meantime, and focus on establishing your pack leadership so you can reign in chewing or any other unwanted behaviors over the long-term.

Separation Anxiety

If the behavior occurs when you’re away from home, then it may be a symptom of separation anxiety. To stop chewing when left alone, you’ll need to address this underlying issue. Are you practicing “No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact” when entering and leaving the home? Do you leave the home with your dog in a rested state after a nice walk? Find more tips for addressing separation anxiety here.

Boredom

If your dog has excess energy, she has to direct it somewhere — and that may just be your favorite new pair of shoes. Assess the level of challenge you are providing for your dog. Are you providing regular walks? Are the walks long enough? What about other mental challenges? Are you playing with your dog enough?

Instinct

Even past puppyhood, dogs enjoy chewing. It’s a natural, normal behavior — as long as it isn’t excessive. But that doesn’t mean you have to grin and bear it. Instead, redirect the dog’s chewing instinct towards appropriate objects, such as chew toys. Correct your dog — calmly and immediately — when he is chewing on any other object you want him to avoid.

Medical Issues

Some nutritional deficiencies can lead to pica, which is the instinct to eat non-food items. And also some dogs suffering from gastrointestinal issues may use chewing to trigger vomiting to feel better. Particularly if the behavior started suddenly, it’s worth ruling out medical causes before addressing it as a behavioral issue.

Dog chewing can be overcome with consistency. In addition to the tips above, another important technique is claiming the object, which means using your body language and calm-assertive energy to let the dog know that the object is yours. Try imagining an invisible fence that you’re putting up around the object and yourself.

If you’re struggling to find a solution for the destructive chewing behavior, consider getting an expert to help. You’re doing what’s best for you and your dog, since chewing the wrong object can cause lasting medical harm to your pup. Plus, hopefully, you’ll save your next pair of new shoes.

What was the most expensive item your dog has chewed?

The post The Causes Of Unwanted Chewing — And How To Stop It appeared first on Cesar's Way.

It’s perfectly natural and normal for dogs to occasionally chew on their legs, feet, ears, and tails. This behavior is no different than when you scratch an itch — it provides relief.

However, if you notice that your dog is constantly chewing herself, it may indicate a deeper problem — particularly if the chewed area has become sore, red, inflamed, or furless.

So what is going on? It may be because of one of the following problems:

Dry skin
Your dog may be biting himself in an attempt to relieve the itchiness of dry skin, which could be caused by a number of things, such as dry, cold weather or a lack of fatty acids. You may be able to spot flakes of dandruff and cracked, tough skin.

Fleas and other parasites
Fleas, mites, and ticks alike can cause a lot of discomfort to their canine host and are common culprits behind excessive chewing. Often, these pests can be revealed from a visual check or a good brushing.

Allergies
Mold, pollen, bug bites, and other allergens can make your dog’s skin dry or greasy. Similarly, allergies to certain types of soaps and pesticides can irritate a dog’s skin and set off a scratch session. If the behavior just began, consider what environmental changes occurred recently.

Skin infections
Your dog’s skin can become infected because of imbalances in cortisol or thyroid hormones. You can often identify bacterial infections by tiny, red bumps on your dog’s skin. Fungal infections can result in oily, greasy skin. In both cases, your dog may also have a waxy ear discharge.

Aches, pain, and soreness
There’s always a possibility that your dog has stepped or brushed against something that resulted in pain or irritation, such as a burr, thorn, or sharp piece of glass. In addition, dogs sometimes react to arthritis and other orthopedic problems with chronic chewing, scratching, and licking.

Psychological reasons
As pack animals, dogs require constant companionship, attention, and stimulation. If your dog begins to frequently chew an area of her body, it may be because she is lonely, bored, or restless. Find ways to add more socialization and mental challenges into your dog’s life.

Many causes of leg chewing are fairly easy to identify and treat at home, but if your dog won’t stop biting her leg or any other area of the body, it’s a good idea to take her to the vet for examination. Your vet can determine the root of this behavior and make suggestions for treatment or dietary and lifestyle changes.

Do you wonder about the meaning of an odd behavior that dog displays? Tell us all about it in the comments.

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This is such a common problem that there have been entire shows, such as Nat Geo Wild’s “My Dog Ate What!?!”, dedicated to sharing the stories of what dog owners have discovered that their pets swallowed.

While we strictly recommend an immediate trip to the vet upon finding out that your pup slurped down anything non-edible or deemed hazardous, we figured it would be fun to survey our readers and swap stories. Here are some of the most outrageous responses we received upon asking: “What’s the craziest thing your dog ate?”

“Cooper had a thing for Manola Blahnik and Prada shoes as a puppy. He didn’t go near any shoes under $400! Fortunately he never made it through an entire shoe, he just nibbled at the straps. I resolved the problem by providing him with chew toys. Thank goodness!” — David Eisenhauer, St. Louis, MO

“My old bulldog ate crayons. He picked up a few that my little sisters had left on the floor. I don’t think anyone saw her do it so no one knew until it was time to clean up the yard. Made for some pretty colorful turds in the lawn!” — Rich Thomas, Redondo Beach, CA

“My German shepherd, Lucky, ate an entire tube of toothpaste — squished out all the toothpaste and chewed the tube. Fortunately she was OK and passed it naturally.” — Susan Famousenuff, Scottsdale, AZ

“My best friend’s Chihuahua, Cashew, ate the squeaky part of a Lion chew toy. He spent 3 nights in the vet ER and he cost his mom thousands of dollars. My Lhasa apso, Shakespeare, once ate an entire Thanksgiving turkey. He ate more than his weight in turkey!” — Elyse Haren, Los Angeles, CA

“My neighbor’s dog (a Neapolitan Mastiff) ate two steps of their stairway to the 2nd floor — thru the carpet, thru the pad, thru the wood planks — you could see the basement below. He had to have surgery to remove an extension cord from his belly (a different meal) and the neighbors put this huge dog in t-shirts to keep him from chewing his stitches.” — Kate Cassidy, West Columbia, SC

“My friend’s Cocker Spaniel ate her mom’s wedding ring. By the way, the wedding ring was retrieved several hours later. Don’t worry it was cleaned and sanitized thoroughly before she put it back on her finger.” — Holly Wolfe, Troy, MI

“Once when I was at the vet, with my dog who ate coins and rocks, the vet had x-rays of a dog that ate a rubber ducky!” — Nina Kelly, Albuquerque, NM

“My dog, Lego, ate my glasses a year ago while I was in the shower. I was mad for like a second, then I tried like hell to put the lenses back together like a jigsaw puzzle. I just wanted to make sure he didn’t swallow any sharp pieces. Funny day, went from mad to panicked to very relieved in a 5 minute span!” — Andrew Durkin, Waterford, MI

“When Harley was a puppy, she swallowed a whole Victoria’s Secret thong from the laundry basket of clothes I was folding. We didn’t know she had done so until we had to help pull it out and noticed the pink tag (yuck)! Then, both Harley and Oliver consumed an entire one-pound bag of skittles and yes, they pooped the rainbow for a week! They have also pulled thawing meat off the counter top and ate that too.” — Melissa St. John, Sun Valley, California

“My dog ate both of my children’s umbilical cord stumps after they fell off. Blah!” — Sarah Sauer, Moorpark, CA

“A 1TB Hard Drive” — Benny Hana, Ventura, CA

“Ryker ate a whole check that I really needed and a tube of Neosporin. Thankfully the vet said he was OK. The check was able to be reissued. Phew!” — Jennifer Brody, Hollywood, CA

“Riley ate $180 in cash – all $20 bills. That was more than it cost to adopt her!” — Danielle Carlesimo, Rochester, MI

What is the craziest thing that your dog has ever eaten? Did you have to take him to the vet? Share your story in the comments section below!

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I have a 1-year-old pitbull named Raven. I have followed your methods since day one, and she is well-behaved dog and an awesome ambassador for her breed. But, there’s one problem we are unable to overcome: food obsession.

Raven is walked and or biked twice a day. She’s a low-medium energy dog. I can tucker her out very easily. As far as Discipline goes I use the “touch”, say no, and put the food back (if I can). When I leave the room, I command her to come as well.

Raven gets into trouble when no one is watching her. She’ll eat pretty much anything… you name it, she’s probably tried to get it in her mouth. She’ll try to eat other dogs’ food and there were two incidents that the dog whose food she stole attacked her… and she kept eating!

I don’t want to remove Raven from the “problem” areas because how will she ever overcome this problem if she doesn’t face it? But I can’t leave her alone, or I’m afraid she’ll eat herself to death. Literally! There was ONE incident where I’d left for only SECONDS with a not even half full bag of dog food, she dove into it and almost finished it off, that’s pounds of food. If I hadn’t come out she would have ate it all!

I’d like to get her registered as a Therapy dog but until this is taken care of we can’t pursue that.

-Ashley

Cesar Millan’s answer:
Dear Ashley,

Any powerful breed, especially fighting breeds, will be more likely to have problems with limitations. Just the same way they become so determined to hurt another dog, it will be easier for them to become obsessive. So in this case, your dog needs to practice more activities where patience is required; where food is in front of her and she practices being in front of the food with your supervision. This is a dog that is not ready to be without supervision.

When food is around, the leash should be on. Just put the leash all the way on the top of the neck and pull up gently and slowly block the brain from being excited. So you can help the brain to go back into a different state.

Another thing that might help is not to let her eat with the plate on the ground. If you place the plate a little higher, it causes the dog to slow down while she is eating. Also, you can practice holding the food and gently moving it; lifting the plate up to touch her chin until she relaxes and slows down. You’re using her own body’s mechanics to help her to accomplish a good thing. She will have to turn her head sideways to get the food, and even use her tongue. She will get less food with each bite, and so you are telling her to slow down, chew the food, really FEEL the food. Because when the brain is in a no-limits state of mind, the dog will just go wild and gobble the food down. By forcing her to slow down, youre just sending her brain into a different state.

Another thing you can do is recognize that there are three circles of personal space: the public, social, and intimate circles. It would be ideal if the dog sees the food in the intimate circle. Ask her to wait in your social or public circle, and then slowly bring her in. That is very challenging, and that creates limits by bringing patience into the mind of the dog. Take your time, don’t rush it. Don’t put two or three weeks on the calendar and expect it to get done. Just do it as long as it takes. This is how you are going to feed the body and the mind.

Stay calm and assertive,
Cesar Millan

The post My Dog Eats Everything appeared first on Cesar's Way.

While it can be cute when a tiny puppy tries to do it, it’s an important habit to break because nipping and destructive chewing are two the biggest reasons that adult dogs wind up abandoned in shelters once the cute factor wears off.

Andre Millan dropped in on Dog Psychology Center trainer Todd Langston for some tips and advice on how to stop your puppy’s unwanted nipping and chewing. Watch below!

Have you successfully fixed your puppy’s biting or chewing problem? Let us know what you did in the comments below!

The post How To Stop A Puppy From Biting And Chewing appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Are you wondering why your dog is chewing his paws? You’re not alone!

There are a variety of reasons why dogs might chew their paws. Let’s look at the most common reasons, as well as the signs that might let you know it’s time to take your pup to the vet.

Common Reason’s Dog’s Chew on their Paws

Allergies

Dogs, like people, have allergies, and allergies tend to be the number one cause of paw chewing. Ingredients in their food, environmental factors like pollen and mold, and seasonal changes can trigger a dog’s allergies. Your dog might also develop dermatitis, a skin condition, if she comes into contact with chemicals from soap, pesticides, or other items with harsh chemicals.

Dry Skin

Does the winter weather dry out your skin? Or maybe you live in a dry climate without much humidity. Either way, weather can also cause your dog’s skin to dry out. He also might not be getting enough fatty acids, which aid in keeping his skin protected and moisturized. If he has dry skin, he might try to soothe it by licking, scratching, or chewing.

Anxiety or Depression

When dogs are anxious or depressed, they tend to chew their paws or lick and scratch compulsively. Dogs may react that way due to common separation anxiety, or anxiety caused by lack of proper exercise. Dogs who are ill, generally sad, or depressed will often lick their own paws obsessively.

Pain

If your dog is chewing his paws, you might want to check them to see if he’s hurt or injured. Since a dog’s paws are constantly in contact with the ground and floor, he can easily get a thorn, small rock, sticker, glass shard, burr, or splinter stuck in his foot. He also might have cut his foot when he was galavanting around outside.

If your dog is injured, he will chew his paws to relieve the pain or remove the foreign object. Your dog might also be suffering from an orthopedic issue like arthritis or hip dysplasia, and his response is to chew or lick the area that hurts.

Parasites

Parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites are another big cause of paw chewing in dogs, and your dog’s cure for a parasite infection is to chew it away. While you can usually see ticks, mites are microscopic, and fleas tend to go unnoticed until there are a bunch of them.

So just because you can’t see the pesky culprits doesn’t mean your dog isn’t being attacked by a parasite. Check with your vet to determine if your dog’s chewing is being caused by a parasite if you can’t determine another cause.

Remember, moderate paw chewing may be annoying, but it’s pretty normal. You should bring your dog to the vet, however, if the chewing gets out of hand or if you notice your dog developing “hot spots” on his skin, bleeding, or loss of fur. A vet might have you change your dog’s diet, use a product to eliminate parasites, address anxiety issues, give your dog medication, or help you come up with another solution.

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Have you ever heard the expression “eat like a dog” or “dogs eat anything?” Ever wonder where those stem from? If you own a dog, you know firsthand that from time to time they get curious and occasionally try to ingest something that they shouldn’t.

We’ve all heard horror stories of a dog having to be rushed to the ER to have his stomach pumped, or know of a person whose pup has passed a foreign object and was back to normal immediately after. What should you do if your dog eats something that he shouldn’t? Should you take him to the vet or wait to see if it passes in his stools? Check out our suggestions below.

Signs Your Pet Ate Something Foreign

If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it may mean that he ingested something foreign or toxic:

• Vomiting (usually starts as food and proceeds to water) or gagging
• Painful abdomen
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Changes in typical behavior
• Changes in bowels — diarrhea, constipation

Go to the Vet Immediately

If your dog ingests a foreign object, you should take her to the vet. If your normal vet is unavailable, call a 24-hour emergency animal clinic and describe the situation. According to Shari Brown, DVM, the best measure is to allow the professionals to properly assess the situation.

“Owners should not wait to see if the object will pass on its own. Do not try to induce vomiting without a veterinarian’s okay, as there are some foreign bodies that can cause just as much harm coming back out.”

Treatment Options

If the veterinarian suspects that a foreign object has been ingested, they will order X-rays to determine the appropriate method of treatment. Depending on the severity of the situation, a vet may able to help your dog pass the object by inducing vomiting.

Some objects may need to be removed through endoscopy. If that is the case, the vet will place a long tube down your dog’s throat and will remove the object from her stomach. “This is non-invasive, involves less risks, and the only recovery time is from the anesthesia,” says Brown.

If the object has passed through the stomach and into the intestines, however, a more invasive surgery may be required. “There are less complications if the object can be gotten out of the stomach than out of the intestines. If an intestinal obstruction occurs, there is a risk of having to remove some of the intestines, which increases the chance of complications.”

How to Prevent Your Pet From Eating Foreign Objects

The best way to keep your dog from ingesting foreign objects is to take preventative measures. Brown says that one of the easiest things to do if an owner knows that their dog is prone to eating certain foreign objects is to not allow access to them.

“I personally have had many owners tell me that their dog chews their stuffed toys, swallows the stuffing, etc. If that happens, don’t give your dog stuffed toys anymore. There are other toys that he can be given instead that he hopefully will not ingest.”

She also advises that people “dog-proof” their house to limit access to objects. “I typically tell owners it’s like having a baby. When you have a baby, you have to be diligent about keeping doors closed, things off the floor and out of the baby’s reach.

“When you have a dog (that) likes to consume everything, you need to do the exact same thing. You may need to get baby locks for cabinets and such to keep your dog from opening them, but locks are a whole lot cheaper than a potential three to four thousand dollar emergency surgery.”

The post What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something It Shouldn’t appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Janet Goldman, Tucson, AZ

Congratulations on your recent family addition; it sounds to me as though he has found a loving home. Your little guy’s rock eating is called “pica” and is usually a behavioral problem. However, the fact that he also has terrible diarrhea concerns me. A checkup with your regular veterinarian is in order to make sure he does not have an underlying disorder such as anemia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or a portosystemic shunt that may be causing the compulsive rock eating.

If he gets a clean bill of health then we need to focus on changing his behavior and his motivation for rock-eating. Prior to his adoption, he may have been confined to a barren yard with little environmental stimulation. Since a puppy uses his mouth as an instrument to explore his world, if the only thing he had to chew on were rocks then that might explain his compulsion for them.

The first order of business is a step you have already started working on which is to limit his access to rocks. Fencing off a small grassy area and combing the area with a garden rake should eliminate most if not all of the rocks. You can then use the grassy area as a safe training zone to help change his motivation.

Now the fun part! Take a variety of toys and simply play with him so he learns there are alternatives to rocks. Simple environmental enrichment can sometimes make them forget all about their old habits.

After a couple weeks, we need to see if it will be safe to allow him to have access to places where rocks are available. To do this, add a rock to the grassy area that is too large to pick up or swallow but still has sides where he can mouth it. If he makes a beeline for the rock, make sure he knows this is not acceptable behavior, but reward and praise him whenever he picks up a favorite toy instead. He will gradually lose interest in the rock. If he needs extra encouragement, then spraying the rock with bitter apple or a similar noxious but non-toxic product can also help discourage the behavior during this period.

You are correct that this behavior can make him sick; I have had to perform gastrotomies on dogs that have ingested rocks too big to pass through. Fortunately, with time, patience and plenty of play this behavior can go away.

Dr. Sherry Weaver

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