How To Stop Your Puppy From Biting Your Things
Everyone knows that puppies like to bite - but how do you stop it? Rachel Rodgers, Award Winning Animal Behaviourist at Napo Pet Insurance, has shared her top tips for how to protect yours - and your guest’s - prized possessions.
1. Supervise and Limit Access
Management is key! Puppies are keen to explore their new world and surroundings, sadly they don't have thumbs so they y tend to use their mouths to work out what things are and to feel different textures. Allowing them access to only small areas of your home to begin with will not only help them settle in, and help with their toilet training, but help them to prevent making mistakes.
Things like puppy pens and crates are ideal if you need to take your eyes off your new best friend for a few minutes. However, when your puppy is out of their crate or playpen, supervise them closely to prevent unwanted chewing. Use baby gates or close doors to restrict access to areas with tempting furniture until they have learned appropriate chewing habits.
2. Provide Appropriate Chew Toys
Puppies chew to relieve teething discomfort. Offer a variety of safe and engaging chew toys and enrichment items to redirect their behaviour. Rotate toys regularly to keep their interest, and praise or reward your puppy when they choose a toy instead of furniture.
It can help to not leave these toys lying around on the floor or in the toy box as they can easily become "boring" so keep them out of pup's reach until you need to use them. You can even create a chew enrichment routine.
3. Create a Stimulating Environment
Puppies often chew out of boredom or excess energy - even older dogs chew as a way to relieve stress. We know that Christmas can be a particularly stressful time for dogs with bright lights, strange toys and items around as well loud noises. Ensure they have plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation, such as walks - if they're old enough and have had their second vaccinations, playtime, and puzzle toys, to tire them out can reduce the urge to chew.
4. Reward Good Behaviour
Whenever you catch your puppy chewing their toys or engaging in appropriate behaviours such as being calm around your favourite sofa rather than destroying it, reward them with a marker word such as "YES!" and give them a small tasty treat, or play a quick game of tug with them.
Positive reinforcement helps them associate chewing toys (not furniture) with good outcomes which means they will be more likely to do it again in the future.
5. Redirect Unwanted Chewing
If you catch your puppy chewing furniture, gently interrupt them and redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. Offer the toy enthusiastically, wriggling it round on the floor and focusing your attention on it, pups are nosey they will want to come and see what you're playing with, then praise them when they switch to chewing it instead. Keep playing with them for a short time afterwards rather than stopping instantly or they will likely go straight back to your furniture.
Shouting at them and telling them off isn't the answer here. Pups will simply learn to chew your furniture when you're not there, or worse - see you as the scary Grinch and not feel safe and loved by you.
