Reasons behind a dog’s chewing behaviour
All dogs are known to bark, to dig, to roll in mud, to scratch and to chew. Owners really do love their dog. It would not be surprising given the significant influence these animals made on the quality of humans lives. On the other hand, an owner that highly values the affectionate and loyal temperament of the pet can’t help but be annoyed by the destructive behavior of the pet. A dog’s chewing habit that has become destructive would naturally be a cause for concern. No pet owner would want to constantly replace the things destroyed by the dog’s indiscriminate chewing habit.
It is natural for dogs to chew. Three month old puppies are commonly seen starting to exercise the gums and teeth by chewing . Puppies, unlike humans, have no hands thus the mouth and the teeth are used to investigate their environment . These lovable fur balls are forever curious and gnawing at things is their way of learning about the environment . The propensity to chew worsens when the puppies start to teeth. Babies are usually given teethers to ease teething pains and to strengthen the gums. Puppies would manage their own teething pains by gnawing the brand new rug or the leg of antique furniture. This destructive chewing has other repercussions. A life threatening blockage can be an outcome of the dog’s indiscriminate chewing habit. The chewing habit of puppies can be managed as it would be an easy matter to confine a small dog and provide it with harmless chew toys. The excessive chewing habit is noticed to gradually decrease as the puppy matures.
An issue that concerns most pet owners is when a mature well behaved dog develops a destructive chewing habit. The dog’s unwanted behavior can be due to an underlying reason. Boredom, loneliness, inactivity are the most common causes of destructive chewing. Finding out what makes your dog chew is only the beginning. You must also know what to do when it chews. Dogs are one of the animals that crave interaction. A cat can satisfactorily exist lying around and being idle all day but not a dog. It is necessary for a dog to have someone to interact with. Naturally, dogs would not know the value of things. A dog pining for its master would be enticed by the shoe that has the master’s scent. A dog would require opportunities where it can expend its excess energies. Confining the dog inside the home without toys or playmates would not be a good idea as the pet would find its own source of enjoyment.
