If you’ve ever dealt with an older dog chewing suddenly then you’ll know how frustrating it can be. Especially when the chewing is directed towards things you’d rather they avoid like shoes or furniture.
But here’s the thing…
Chewing is how dogs explore the world, relieve anxiety, and keep their teeth clean and strong. So the idea that this behavior should stop completely is not the purpose of this post.
The idea, however, is to train your dog to chew on the right items like bones, chew toys, and any other safe chewable treats that will avoid them destroying other things around the house that you’d rather keep off-limits.
And while there’s more than one way to accomplish this (for instance, chewing deterrents), you’ll find that learning how to engage your dog on a mental level can often be the best course of action to stopping unwanted chewing once and for all.
See, the reason dogs can often resort to chewing isn’t necessarily because they’re bad, it’s because they simply lack the mental stimulation needed to eliminate unwanted behavior.
This is why before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend checking out Brain Training For Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli. (see link below)
Now, the reason Adrienne’s program works so well is that the simple techniques she reveals teach you how to engage your dog on a mental level.
Engage your dog mentally and the need for persistent chewing (among other bad behaviors) often slips by the waist side without any further training on your part.
And as well as learning how to stop your dog’s obsessive chewing habit, you’ll also find your dog becoming noticeably smarter as a result.
So check out the program, apply what Adrienne teaches, and you’ll see a marked improvement in your dog’s obsessive chewing (or lack of it) before you know it.
Anyway, here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dogs Obsessive, Frustrating Chewing Habit And Create The Well Behaved Obedient Dog Of Your Dreams… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
Why Is My Older Dog Chewing Suddenly?
Now before you even think about solving the problem, you must first understand why the problem started to begin with.
And since it’s never been the norm for your dog to chew, we need to first establish any possible causes that could have started this unpredictable behavior to start with.
So below are some of the more common reasons dogs chew…
Separation Anxiety
Dogs mostly stay with their owners, and in some cases, this could have started from when your dog was a young pup.
As a result, there is now an emotional bond created between both you and your beloved canine.
If however one day your circumstances happen to change, taking up precious time you used to spend with your lovable pal, then it’s not uncommon for him to experience some form of separation anxiety.
As a side effect, your dog could start chewing on anything and everything it can put its teeth on, some of which could be destructive.
It sounds simple but sometimes just sticking to the basics such as regular exercising, playtime, and regular walks are more than enough to deter your dog from exhibiting this nuisance behavior.
It leaves the canine in a more relaxed state where it is able to stay calm until you come back.
Leaving the house hurriedly and without giving it the attention it needs could result in sudden chewing.
Even spending as little as 5 minutes with him before you leave the house can be enough to turn the whole situation around giving you a calm, happy, and more importantly, chew-free dog.
Boredom
Excessively energetic dogs usually need an excessively energetic person or another dog to play with it.
Even as your dog gets older, chances are they still require a lot of walking, running, and regular playtime otherwise they will just get bored.
You can notice an energetic dog by observing their behavior around you, other people, or even when you leave them alone.
So pay attention because the moment you stop providing this much-needed playtime.
If you’ve been unknowingly neglectful lately your dog could just be looking for an outlet and has resorted to chewing.
Remember, the moment dogs do not get someone to interact with, they’re likely to start chewing on anything and everything they can get their paws on it.
And in worst cases, this can often be combined with tearing away at things using their claws.
So take note, your dog needs to have some way of venting out any excess energy.
And if you can’t provide this, then you’re gonna have problems.
Instincts
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
Dogs naturally chew from a young age.
It’s what they do.
And even when your dog gets older, he will still likely chew on anything he finds because that’s it’s in their doggy nature.
Since this is not something you can prevent, the idea here is to redirect your dog’s attention to chew on things that he cannot damage, instead of anything and everything he can sink his teeth into.
So again, dog bones and chew toys are your best friend in this scenario.
Medical Related Problems
In some cases, the problem could well be beyond your control or even beyond your dog’s control.
Medical issues only identified by a vet could be the reason your dog has started chewing suddenly.
Make it a routine to take it there even if it is not ailing just to confirm that he’s fit and healthy.
Problems like nutritional deficiencies which occur over time are easily identified by a vet, and are also a major cause of unwanted chewing on non-food items as your dog could just be trying to acquire the lacking minerals in his body.
Additionally, problems like gastrointestinal ailments could result in your dog chewing on anything to trigger vomiting in a bid to ease the discomfort.
So if at any moment you catch your dog chewing and then suddenly throwing up, then you know it is time for a vet visit.
The easiest way to identify a medical problem even before the signs become too apparent is that the dog suddenly starts chewing on things that were previously of no interest.
Is Training The Answer?
Training is key is a dog’s proper development and should start as early as when it is still a puppy.
This could be done by a local dog trainer or better still, learning the basics by taking a look at the Brain Training For Dogs Program I mentioned earlier.
And if you haven’t yet trained your dog, chances that you are going to have to deal with his uncontrollable chewing habits for a lot longer than you should.
But just remember, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks…
How To Stop An Older Dog Chewing Suddenly
So, now you know the many reasons that could be ailing your favorite pet, it’s time to kick things into gear actually solve the problem.
The thing most people don’t realize is that it’s really quite easy to incorporate simple things into your daily activities that make relentless chewing a thing of the past.
Here are my top tips…
Keep Things Out Of Reach
If you are bringing a dog to your home for the first time, the first thing you need to do is ensure that any potentially chewable item is kept out of reach.
In essence, what we’re doing is dog proofing your house, the same way you would if you had a young child running around.
And even if chewing isn’t a major problem, it soon could be if your dog spends most of his time in an environment where are plenty of loose items lying around
Things like shoes, books, containers, children toys, and even clothing should all be kept away in closed places, closed containers or in high shelves where your dog simply can’t reach.
Alternatively, keep all your valuable non-chewable items all in one room, where your dog is not allowed to enter.
Provide Chew Toys
Since dogs naturally chew, then the best thing would be to provide them with appropriate things to chew.
There are plenty of toys available created specifically for dogs that love to chew.
Additionally, bones can provide a useful outlet for your dog as well as they will not only keep him busy but as a bonus, will also help him maintain strong, healthy teeth.
Confinement & Crating
Now in some cases, if your dog becomes too notorious, confinement could be a temporary solution whenever you’re not around.
Now I don’t mean punishing your dog by locking him up for hours on end.
That would just be cruel and get you nowhere.
What I’m suggesting a small room in your home where your dog can retreat to where there are no obvious chewable items within reach.
I also highly recommend crate training for just this scenario as not only will your dog have a comfy, confined place to relax, but he’ll also be out of reach of any expensive chewable items.
And hey! you could always leave a few chewable toys a bone in the crate so he can still get his daily fix.
Exercise Is Key
Exercise ensures that your dog is busy throughout the day and that it does not get the opportunity to mess around the housing chewing on your favorite stuff.
As you dog tires, his primary concern becomes less about “what can I chew on next”, and more about
“Damn I’m tired, let’s get some rest”
Never underestimate what a healthy dose of can do for both the mind and body.
It’s not only great for humans but it can work wonders for stress, anxiety, and obviously boredom. All of which are key contributors to bad dog behavior.
Chewing Deterrents
If you realize that there is something your dog likes to chew on more than others, chewing deterrents can be a great quick fix.
Now you’re not going to get to the root cause of the problem by using this method, but anything that saves the legs of your expensive tables and chair has got to be worth a shot right?
Chewing deterrents are basically non-toxic chemical sprays that leave a very bitter, but non-harmful taste in your dog’s mouth that will make him think twice before chewing on that tasty looking chair leg.
For this to work simply spray the deterrent on anything and everything that you don’t want your dog to chew.
In time, and when he realizes that the taste has become consistent, he’ll eventually stop chewing said item and go about his day.
Chewing Is Natural
At times you have to be understanding and be realistic.
Dogs are naturally playful and are likely to chew on things from time to time, not because they are necessarily bad dogs, but because it’s in their nature.
At the end of the day, occasional chewing shouldn’t be anything to worry about as long it’s not excessive.
So if your dog seems happy and well it’s sometimes a good idea to just toss him a chew toy and let him be.
Dog Chewing Everything In Sight? Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dogs Obsessive, Frustrating Chewing Habit And Create The Well Behaved Obedient Dog Of Your Dreams… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why your dog would want to chew on different items in the house or even outside.
Some are natural and some are not, and some may even require professional help.
There are times when you should ignore the behavior and times when it gets out of hand.
But at the end of the day, you know your dog better than anyone else so you must determine where to draw the line on what is acceptable and what is not.
