Your retriever mix Duke is a canine thrill seeker. This energetic four-year-old pooch enjoys romping with his dog park buddies, and he loves soaking up the smells on those invigorating hiking trips. However, your fidgety four-legged housemate has recently discovered an activity that satisfies him more than anything else. For three days, he has been methodically destroying your upholstered living room set, gnawing your couch and loveseat into colored fabric and white stuffing. Although Duke’s activities help to scrub his choppers, chewing on your furniture is unacceptable. Tomorrow, your Marietta vet will give your dog a dose of behavioral counseling.
No Crime Scene Access
Keep your misbehaving canine away from the living room. Close the room’s door if possible; or install a temporary barrier, such as a baby gate or other object. However, remember that your determined seventy-pound instigator probably won’t consider that obstacle a challenge.
Since your ravenous dog might enjoy dessert, place your magazines and books on higher shelves or in another room. If he’s eyeing your shoe collection, keep your footwear safely behind the closet door.
Leaving a Bad Taste
Give your dog a thoroughly distasteful dining experience. Purchase a vet-approved chewing deterrent, and spritz this nasty-tasting liquid on or around your pooch’s current targets. Spray more deterrent on a paper towel, and convince your inquisitive dog to take several licks. He’ll probably become revolted by his tasting experience. When he next attacks the furniture, he’ll connect those two awful sensations.
More Desirable Targets
Next, give Duke some more desirable gnawing objects. Challenge his formidable jaws with several “indestructible” chew toys. If his diet includes daily snacks, stuff a treat puzzle with scrumptious peanut butter or vet-approved kibbles. If he’d rather engage in a vigorous tug-of-war game, buy him a hardy pull toy and join him for a high-energy playtime session.
Exercise and Discipline
Giving your canine delinquent more exercise should distract him, and might make him too tired to chomp on the furniture. With your vet’s approval, increase the intensity and/or duration of his daily workouts. Teach him discipline by booking him into an obedience class. If his skills need reinforcement, enroll him in a refresher course.
Your Marietta vet can provide advice on halting Duke’s chewing behavior when he’s home alone. If your dog won’t stop attacking the furniture, contact us for expert assistance.
