It is common for dogs to bite, as they use their snouts, tongues, and teeth to pick things up off the ground, play, recognize objects around them, and eat. Therefore, as the owner you must set the limits so that it bites only the allowed objects and does not damage valuables.
A good idea is to offer the dog another alternative, an object that he can bite when he feels the urge to do so, this will help control the chaos that can be generated by having a dog that bites everything at home. But why do dogs bite everything? The main reasons are described below.
Puppy behavior
Puppies are more likely to feel the urge to chew on everything, animal behavior specialists say, while adult dogs are less likely to chew on everything in their path.
Now, dogs bite for many reasons and the most common is to release excess energy , which often accumulates due to lack of physical activity or from spending a long time without going outdoors.
Some puppies feel stress when they find themselves in a new home, with the arrival of another pet or another member of the family. When these types of situations arise, the dog discovers that he feels better when chewing, it is pleasant and it relaxes him.
If it is a young dog, he may experience teething discomfort in a similar way to children, so biting relieves these symptoms.
Do you feel lonely
Loneliness can be a common reason why dogs of all ages are motivated to bite.
If the pet is alone for a long time, it will feel sad and will find a way to keep itself entertained while the hours go by, relieving boredom by biting things. In fact, you will often notice that they are things that smell like their master.
In many cases, it is just a phase where dogs are exploring and experiencing the different textures that objects have, in the same way that humans touch things to recognize them later.
What can I do to stop my dog from chewing everything?
There are a few options you can use to try to prevent dogs from leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Here are some tips that can guide you to educate your pet :
Toys
It is very important that the dog has toys to entertain himself , release his anxiety and bite whenever he feels the urge to do so. Do not let your pet play with objects for which you will later reprimand him. For example, don’t give him an old shoe to chew on, as your pet doesn’t know the difference between an old item and an expensive new one.
Currently, there are many models of toys, although it does not need to be expensive for the dog to become attached and ready to bite it. A dog developing a taste for a particular toy can be used as a reward for good behavior.
There are some important aspects when it comes to toys. First, you want to make sure its texture doesn’t weaken your pet’s own tooth enamel.
Another very important thing is that it does not break into pieces that the animal can swallow, as this can cause serious health problems.
Tips to avoid excessive bites
Dogs need to exercise. If you can, take him for a brisk walk , that will calm anxiety, keep him healthy and fit.
If you have no choice but to leave him home alone, you should provide him with toys to keep him busy while you’re away. If he’s bored for a long time , he’ll most likely chew on everything available, including shoes, clothes, furniture, and pillows, among other things.
To help with training, try to always have a chew toy handy. If you find that he has taken something inappropriate, you should reprimand him and reinforce the positive behavior , for example with a fun game session.
The most important thing is to be patient and firm in helping him learn which objects he can and cannot chew.
If the family is large, everyone must participate in the education of the pet, in a conscious and consistent way in training. If some make the dog follow the rules and others don’t, the pet will get confused and continue to have the habit.
Adult dogs
When it comes to an adult dog that after a certain time bites compulsively again, you must look for the reason that this bad habit has returned.
One reason may be that the dog is trying to get something out of its teeth or that this is its natural way of dealing with tartar, according to specialists. These reasons can be ruled out by taking your pet to the vet so that he can observe his teeth.
Another of the most frequent causes is boredom or a way of attracting attention, because they feel abandoned. Sometimes, older dogs no longer lead such an active life, so they go back to biting objects as if it were just another game.
In this case, you should carefully plan the game schedules, practicing exercises that allow him to feel energetic and happy. You can’t imagine how easy it is to get a dog to behave appropriately with care and attention.