We have a SERIOUS chewing problem!

[vivandmatt]

Okay, for those of you that have not heard my story. We adopted Loki three weeks ago from a shelter. He is our first pet ever. He will be one in febuary. He is a mixed breed dog that weighs about sixty pounds. He is a GREAT dog. Very calm. Never barks. House training has been great. He hasn't tee teed in the house in over a week! BUT, he is chewing. If he is in the house he chews mainly my toddlers stuff. He has chewed three of her shoes, several of her toys. I am sure she is his least favorite of the family. We have been keeping him outside while we are at work and he chewed his food bowl! I am scared he is going to get sick. Last night he decided to eat the christmas tree skirt. He has a couple of toys. Should I get him a chew bone? Am I not feeding him enough? How do I get him to stop? HELP. My husband is the one who doesn't want him in the house and I do.

 

[makka619]

You can train him "leave it" so he distinguises between what he is allowed to touch and what he isn't.
Though, I will say that leave it is hard when you aren't supervising. You should preferably puppy proof the house and perhaps keep an eye on him as often as possible so that you can prevent him from getting into things he shouldn't be.

Maybe you should get him some of his own toys that he can chew. Get him a variety of toys and try mixing them up and rotating them so that he has a different few each couple of days. This way he won't get bored so quickly. Kong toys have a range of different food dispensing toys that would be good for when he is home alone.

http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

1) use a crate AT ANY TIME when you are not able to watch the dog actively.

2) make him a toy box, and bait it with tiny cookies, and smear a tiny bit of cheez whiz or peanut butter on his toys. Interrupt him each time he focuses on something he is not supposed to chew, and take him to his toy box to find something he likes. The toy box MUST be kept stocked with interesting toys and chew items.

3) you MUST absolutely supervise this dog every second he is loose in your house to get a handle on this problem.

4) get stainless steel bowls and buckets.

5) increase his exercise level

6) get in training class

7) if he's not already, get him neutered.

 

[whatszmatter]

1) use a crate AT ANY TIME when you are not able to watch the dog actively.

2) make him a toy box, and bait it with tiny cookies, and smear a tiny bit of cheez whiz or peanut butter on his toys. Interrupt him each time he focuses on something he is not supposed to chew, and take him to his toy box to find something he likes. The toy box MUST be kept stocked with interesting toys and chew items.

3) you MUST absolutely supervise this dog every second he is loose in your house to get a handle on this problem.

4) get stainless steel bowls and buckets.

5) increase his exercise level

6) get in training class

7) if he's not already, get him neutered.

Great advice, you'd be wise to follow ALL of it to the letter.

 

[smkie]

Bitter apple spray helps too..i use the gel on electrical cords. You can get it at the petstore. EVery time we had a puppy in the house the wooden shoe box came out. It was an old boyscout trunk and when we all took our shoes off in the box they went. With small children toys will be hard, it is a great time for them to learn there is a serious consequence to leaving their toys out! Just like with a toddler you got to keep stuff out of the puppy's way. THe chewing will subside eventually. I have known some grinders in the past.

 

[Bobsk8]

Smokey loves to chew those rope toys and Booda Bimple Bones as well as Nylabones. I have toys all over the living room, but she never chews anything but her toys. You might try getting some toys for her to chew and when you see your dog chewing something, tell the dog no, and give them the chew toy. After awhile, the dog will probably catch on.....

 

[Gempress]

Just to reassure you, chewing is a pretty normal part of getting a new dog. Dogs love to chew, but they don't automatically know what is ok for them to chew and what isn't. It's not the end of the world. From the sound of it, you're doing a very good job with Loki.

Keep Loki under constant supervision. Whenever you see him start to chew on something he's not suppossed to chew on, give him an acceptable chew toy. Praise him when he chews on his toys.

When you can't watch him, either put Loki in a crate or on a dog-proofed room. A laundry room or bathroom can be a good place. Be sure to give him some good chew toys while you're gone, too.

Don't worry, it will go away with patience. But just like a toddler, these things take time. And I'm not so sure about Loki not liking your child. I've noticed dogs tend to chew/take things that carry the scent of people they like. Hence the usual dog obsessions with shoes and socks.

 

[missbeckydee]

Jester loves his Nylabone and won't chew on anything else. Maybe some more chew-friendly toys? Like everyone else on here said, distract him from something he can't have with something he can have. That's how we got Jester to stop eating our shoes.

 

[smkie]

and headphones and telephone cords..and your favorite chair..especially if it is leather WE had one that liked to grind away on logs. Why i have no idea

 

[squirtsmom]

Squirt is a pitbull/boxer mix who is 7 months old. When she was a little younger, she would sleep in the 18 year olds room I told her to make sure her shoes and clothes were put up before she went to bed. She said OK. Well now she is moving upstairs, and suddenly there are 4 pairs of colorful pumps in Squirts toy box. All chewed up. Boy does she love shoes.

 

[Bobsk8]

Squirt is a pitbull/boxer mix who is 7 months old. When she was a little younger, she would sleep in the 18 year olds room I told her to make sure her shoes and clothes were put up before she went to bed. She said OK. Well now she is moving upstairs, and suddenly there are 4 pairs of colorful pumps in Squirts toy box. All chewed up. Boy does she love shoes.

:lol-sign: Sorry, but that is funny when you picture it......