(spicy rhythmic music)
- [Narrator] Every dog needs to chew.
While most dogs will chew their whole lives,
puppies and dogs under the age of two chew
because they're teething, curious about new objects,
looking for something fun to do,
or because they simply need more exercise.
Most people don't realize that dogs have
the reasoning ability of a toddler,
so it's unfair to expect your dog to know
the difference between acceptable chew toys
and the numerous items in your home
that you don't want him to chew on.
So it's up to you to put your valuable items
out of your dog's reach and dog-proof
all the areas he'll have access to.
You also need to limit your dog's freedom
by closing off doors to unoccupied rooms
and blocking off areas of your home
where you can't supervise them.
Also, put your dog in his crate or dog-safe area
when you can't keep an eye on him.
This way, you can leave the house or go to bed
without worrying about him destroying
the items in your house.
Now that you've taken steps to prevent your dog
from chewing on the wrong things,
you're ready to teach him what you do want him to chew on.
Start by making sure your dog has a variety
of safe and durable chew toys.
Some dogs will immediately be interested in new toys,
but others may need to be trained to enjoy
chewing on their toys over other items.
Stuffing a durable rubber toy or hollow bone
with yummy treats is a great way to get your dog interested
in his toys and keep him occupied.
Now here's the most important part of this training.
Dogs thrive on attention, so always praise your dog
when he's chewing on the right thing.
Try to never miss an opportunity to let your dog know
that he's doing something right.
So, what do you do when your dog is
chewing something he shouldn't have?
Well, chasing your dog to try to get the item back
can be a really fun game for him.
Instead of chasing him, approach your dog calmly
to try to trade out the item for something more valuable,
like one of his favorite toys or a treat.
As he drops the item, be sure to praise and reward him.
This way he'll learn that giving up items
can still be rewarding.
Also, when you see your dog about to pick something up
that he shouldn't have, call him over to you
and give him one of his toys instead.
With these simple steps, your dog's chewing
can be a rewarding pastime for the both of you.