Puppy Forum and Dog Forums banner

chewing

602 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Bluemoods
Hi I just adopted a 13 month old lab from a rescue. I have had hr for 3 weeks. She was never inside before she was fostered and now that I have adopted her. Training her daily on basics and will get her to obedience school. The one issue I cannot seem to stop is chewing on carpets, furniture corners of walls etc. She has plenty of appropriate chew toys, antlers, nylabones and is getting walks and play at the dog park. Any suggestions? It was recommended I spray "yuck" or bitter apple spray, but not sue I can douse my whole house in the stuff.

Looking for any suggestions on what might work please. Thanks.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
She simply has no concept whatsoever of "appropriate chew" and "inappropriate chew". None. I would be strictly supervising her at all times, and when you can't, she must be crated. When you see her chewing something she shouldn't immediately redirect to an appropriate toy and praise her for using it. Pick everything up in your house. Rugs, shoes, kid's toys, anything that she might decide she should chew. You can try the bitter apple spray on some items, but sometimes the dog is simply not phased by it. A better option might be baby gating off certain areas, or even putting an ex-pen around furniture she repeatedly wants to chew.

You might also try feeding her part of her meal in stuff-able chew toys. This might help encourage her to turn to rubber toys and such for chewing because she has a history of being rewarded by them. I've always liked KONGS, and some nylabones have holes where you can smear peanut butter or stick treats.

Prevention and management will be key here. Preventing her from chewing on your house and only making appropriate chews available will go a long way.
See less See more
A sharp no and immediate redirect to an appropriate chew will go a long way.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top