Please can you help?
I’m at my wits’ end trying to combat my
four-month-old puppy from chewing everything in sight, including my hands! We
puppy-proofed our house before bringing him home – everything that needs to be
is up high, and electric cables have extra cabling around them – it’s like
having a toddler in the house again!
I’d prefer it if he stopped chewing my
furniture! I’m around all day, so it’s not an anxiety thing I don’t think as I
only leave him to go to the supermarket etc and he chews when I’m there. I do
remember past pups chewing, but not this much!
Hope you can help!
Mrs Baker, by email
I hesitate to comment as so many professionals give advice, but this is what worked for me: My Stafford pup constantly bit my hands & ankles & anything that moved. I tried saying NO sharply & turning away, ignoring her, but that made no difference. So I put her in a "time out" place, which was just a sectioned off area under the carport. She had no visual stimulation under there so calmed down very quickly. I only ever had to put her in there a handful of times, for just a few minutes & she stopped the behaviour. I made sure I picked her up & put her in there without a word & removed her only when she was silent. This may not work for all pups, it may not be the recommended way, but it worked for me.
ReplyDeleteDo you have plenty of appropriate chew items for your puppy? Does he like them? Have you tried various options and stayed with *his* favourite, rather than the easiest for you?
ReplyDeleteIf he has nothing "legal" to chew, then everything is fair game; if he has "legal" chew items, then simply, and without any fuss or talking, redirect any "wrong" chewing to the "right" item. Also quietly praise him for choosing a "legal"chew toy.
Another option would be a crate and/or playpen - leave him crated with several things he is allowed to chew and don't give him the opportunity to continue his "bad" habits.
I often advise a crate or bed inside a decent quality child's metal playpen. This provides a safe place for your puppy to be in when you are popping out, a visitor arrives or you simply need some relaxation time yourself!
ReplyDeleteFor play-biting often the best thing is to ignore it. Remove your hands calmly. End the game and end your attention ('no eye contact, no touch and no verbals'). After about sixty seconds you can carry on as usual. If this is not possible then a full Time Out can be very effective. The second that the puppy is inappropriate, leave the room with any humans who are also in the room. Shut the door and quietly wait for between thirty seconds and two minutes. This method is a better 'Time Out' as you do not have to remove the puppy which is then giving the puppy attention, which the puppy maybe craving. A good Tome Out is all about withdrawing your attention the second the unwanted behaviour occurs.
Ignoring and Time Outs usually have to be frequently repeated before the behaviour starts to lessen so be consistent.
Wood is a favorite article for puppies to chew, so perhaps keep those wooden furniture legs away from the puppy for a few months.
As mentioned earlier, also have appropriate chew articles available and when the puppy is chewing those, apply attention and calmly praise. After all, chewing for a puppy is natural behaviour particularly during the painful teething phase.
Be consistent and best of luck.
***SORRY...Can you delete my previous post and add this newly edited post. Thanks :) ***
ReplyDeleteI often advise a crate or bed inside a decent quality child's metal playpen. This provides a safe place for your puppy to be in when you are popping out, a visitor arrives, mealtimes or you simply need some relaxation time yourself!
For play-biting, often the best thing is to ignore it. Remove your hands calmly. End the game and end your attention ('no eye contact, no touch and no verbals'). After about sixty seconds you can carry on as usual. If this is not possible then a full Time Out can be very effective. The second that the puppy is inappropriate, leave the room with any humans who are also in the room. Shut the door and quietly wait for between thirty seconds and two minutes. This method is a better 'Time Out' as you do not have to remove the puppy, which is then giving the puppy attention that the puppy maybe craving. A good Time Out is all about withdrawing your attention the second the unwanted behaviour occurs. A puppy is more likely to repeat the behaviour if he finds it rewarding...any kind of attention could be rewarding.
Ignoring and Time Outs usually have to be frequently repeated before the behaviour starts to lessen so be consistent.
Wood is a favorite article for puppies to chew, so perhaps keep those wooden furniture legs away from the puppy for a few months.
As mentioned earlier, also have appropriate chew articles available and when the puppy is chewing those, apply attention and calmly praise. After all, chewing for a puppy is natural behaviour particularly during the painful teething phase.
Be consistent and best of luck.