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Pets

2002-09-01 10:07:00

She’s chewing up everything... what can we do?

:  We have a one-year-old, female, part Lab and part Golden Retriever who was spayed some time ago. Our problem is that she chews on everything… mostly floor mats, carpet, pillows, etc. What do you suggest?

Jennifer Campbell Question:  We have a one-year-old, female, part Lab and part Golden Retriever who was spayed some time ago. Our problem is that she chews on everything… mostly floor mats, carpet, pillows, etc. What do you suggest?Answer:  Whenever an animal begins a new unwanted behavior, the first thing you should do is check for any physical distress or aliments. Your dog may be in pain and is expressing her discomfort through chewing. If you notice any unusual growths, discolorations, lesions, etc., anywhere on your dog, take her to your veterinarian for a thorough examination. A dog younger than a year old should be checked for any missing or loose teeth. She may be "teething", losing childhood teeth as her adult teeth come in. And, just like a human child whose is teething, chewing on items relieves her pain. Give her plenty of rawhides or durable rubber toys to chew on. Some dogs find relief by chewing on ice cubes. At around a year old, most dogs have a full set of adult teeth and the chewing should slow down. If your dog has all her adult teeth and no physical problems, her chewing may signify a behavior issue-either her's or your's. For some dogs, particularly sporting and herding breeds that crave "jobs", chewing is a way to relieve boredom and excess energy. Check the food you're feeding her. If she's eating high energy performance dog food, snack bones and other treats all the time but isn't getting enough exercise to use it up, she'll find inappropriate ways to burn off her energy. Talk with your vet about which dog food is appropriate for your pet's lifestyle. You have to have the right expectations of your dog. At one year old, your Lab/Golden mix still a pup and hasn't learned what and what isn't appropriate to chew on. It will take time for her to learn and mature. Is she chewing when you're home? Show her what's okay for her to chew on by playing with her and the appropriate toys. Spritz her with a water gun when she chews on the wrong thing. Spray Bitter Apple® or other non-toxic products on the items she tends to gravitate towards. It will make the items taste bad and discourage chewing. Does she have free run of the home when you're away? Try crating her while you're gone and giving her a chew to gnaw on. Other dogs' chewing behavior may be an indication that they are lonely. Remember that dogs are pack animals and your dog looks to you as its leader. If you're gone 8 - 10 hours a day and then collapse in front of the tv when you get home, giving your dog a pat on its head, your dog may end up feeling alone, unwanted and not part of the pack. And, if the only way to get active interaction with you (as the pack leader) is to chew on your shoes or the side of the house, she'll do it every time because, for most companion dogs, any attention is better than no attention.The solution? Spend time with your canine. Go to obedience school or other training classes. Pay more attention to her. Take her on long walks every day. Play with her in the morning before you head to the office. Give her chew toys or kongs to keep her occupied while you're gone. Enroll her in a dog day care or set a play date with a friend and his dog. Spend part of your weekend doing dog stuff like walking, running, swimming, rolling around with her in the yard, or playing fetch. Take her with you while you water the plants, go through a fast food drive through, or just sit on the porch in the evening. Be patient, work with her, and you'll be thrilled as she grows into a mature "chew-free" adult. However, if none of these solutions help or you notice a marked increase in chewing, please consult your veterinarian or animal behaviorist for further assistance.