Have you recently adopted a puppy? If so, that’s great! While we love dogs of all ages, there really is something special about the love and joy that baby dogs bring to our lives. However, little Fido’s childhood can be a trying time. Chewing is one issue you may find yourself facing as your pet’s chewing teeth come in. A Carolina Forest, SC vet offers some tips on how to manage chewing in puppies below.
Don’t Confuse The Pooch
One mistake many people make is giving their pups things like old shoes. Don’t do this: it may just confuse little Fido. He won’t differentiate between a busted flip-flop and your brand-new sneakers.
Offer Suitable Toys
Make sure to provide your canine pal with lots of suitable chew toys. Kong toys are great for this! Ask your vet to recommend more things you can give your pooch.
Cleaning
Dogs often like to chew on dirty clothes and, in some cases, sanitary napkins. Keep laundry in hampers, and use trashcans with secure lids. You’ll also want to keep personal items, such as shoes, phones, books, purses, and wallets, out of paws’ reach.
Petproofing
You’ll need to do some petproofing to make your home safe for your canine buddy. Little Fido could get very sick if he were to eat or chew something that isn’t safe for him! Toxic plants are one concern. The ASPCA has a list of both toxic and nontoxic plants at their website here . Other potential hazards include chemicals, medicine, plastic bags and ties, and anything small or sharp.
Taste Deterrents
You won’t be able to keep everything you may need put away. You can use taste deterrents on things you can’t really get out of the way, such as cords. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to reapply them daily for a while, usually 2 or 3 weeks.
Training
Chewing is a natural behavior in dogs, and isn’t something that little Fido should be punished for. However, you can-and should-reprimand your furry buddy verbally if you see him gnawing on something that isn’t safe. Use the same phrasing each time, to make the message clearer. It’s also equally important for you to reward your pooch for chewing his toys instead of your newspaper. Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Carolina Forest, SC veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!
