Six Tips To Stop Your Puppy's Destructive Chewing

Chewing is a natural activity for puppies. Just as babies explore the world through their mouths, puppies explore and learn by chewing. Trying to get your puppy to stop chewing is a losing battle. Instead, focus on redirecting your puppy. Here are six tips to stop that destructive chewing once and for all:

* Puppy proof your house

* Exercise your puppy

* Teach your puppy to be calm

* Don't make a big deal about comings and goings

* Stay calm yourself

* Give your puppy appropriate chewing alternatives

Just as you would baby proof your house, you also need to puppy proof your house. Keep any valuables that you don't want chewed up safely out of reach. Make sure your puppy has an appropriate alternative to chew on -- like a commercially available chew toy from the pet store.

Chewing is a way for your puppy to work off excitement and relieve frustration. As difficult as you may find this to believe, your puppy really isn't chewing your belongings out of some deep desire to get at you. I know it may seem like he has a vindictive streak when he chews up your most prized possessions, but he really isn't carrying out a personal vendetta.

Make sure your puppy gets plenty of exericse and playtime, but also teach your puppy to be calm and easygoing. It's best to not play games like tug-of-war. I know it's fun to hear her growl and see her tug, but games that teach your dog to bite and chew will only confuse your puppy when later on you don't want her to chew.

It is especially important to keep your puppy calm when you leave the house for an extended period of time. Resist the temptation to show a lot of emotion about leaving or returning. Even though you are excited to see him, and want to rush up and play, this will just build up emotional stress which will likely result in destructive chewing during your absence.

In fact, it's best to completely ignore your puppy for several minutes before you leave home, while you are physically leaving, and when you come home again. Don't make a big deal about it. As difficult as it may be, try to ignore your puppy at first. This will then make your comings and goings seem like a normal part of every day instead of making your puppy anxious to see you go, or excited when you return.

If your puppy has gone on a destructive binge, don't let her know you are upset when you get home. Whatever you do, stay calm, and clean up the mess when your puppy isn't in the room. Again, if you make a big deal about it, it will just reinforce the behavior.

Scolding and punishing your puppy will just make things worse. You will take charge with your puppy if you are calm and dependable, not if you are emotional. He is looking to you for calm, steady leadership. Don't let him down!

When choosing chew treats and toys for your puppy, keep these tips in mind:

* You shouldn't give your puppy anything that is small enough to swallow. (Unless, of course, it's food!)

* Don't give a dog of any age bones to chew on. Bones will splinter and can cause internal damage to your puppy or adult dog.

* Rawhide, pigs ears, and other chews aren't a good idea either. These can be broken off into large pieces and swallowed and can cause obstructions to your puppy and adult dog.

For your free dog training report, be sure to click on the link in my resource box below.