If you frequently come home from work to find a mass of shredded newspaper and a broken remote control, you cannot blame your miniature schnauzer because you left the items out. Providing him with a variety of toys and exercise with alleviate this troublesome chewing.
Step 1
Pick up all chewable items around the house and place them out of reach of your miniature schnauzer. Place items on tall shelves where he cannot climb to or reach them.
Step 2
Designate a “toy box” for your mini schnauzer to hold his toys, such as a small, soft pet bed without foam filling. Consider that the toy box will more than likely be chewed also. Choosing a fabric bed allows you to wash it occasionally.
Step 3
Fill the toy box with dog toys, bones, rope toys, hollow chew toys and nylon bones. Choose a variety of toys with different textures and thicknesses to allow his exploring mouth a smorgasbord of learning.
Step 4
Place peanut butter in a hollow chew toy and hide it in the bottom of his toy box. Rummage through the toys with him and allow him to find the toy and enjoy the peanut butter treat while giving him a lot of praise.
Step 5
Play with the allowable dog toys with your pooch. It instills positive behavior if he knows that you will play with the items with him.
Step 6
Remove a non-allowable item from his mouth if he happens to find one. Replace it with a toy that he can play with and then praise him for his positive actions.
Step 7
Tell him “No chew” if he decides the table legs need some customization from his sharp teeth. Then either lead him to his toy box for a good toy or offer one to him. As soon as he accepts the toy, give him lots of praise and possibly a dog treat.
References
Tips
- If you are training a new pet not to chew, place him in a puppy-proof room with only his toys, food and water while you leave the house. Remove any now-chew items to promote positive behavior. Praise him when you come home for being a good boy.
- Place some toys in a closet or other area that your pooch cannot reach. Change out his toys every few days to give him something “new” to play with.
Warnings
- Do not scold your dog after he chews something that he shouldn’t while you are away. Scold yourself instead for not putting the item out of his reach.
- Do not choose a wooden toy box for a dog. He can chew the wood, swallow it and suffer digestive problems.
- Give your dog only appropriate chew toys—never an old slipper or pair of socks, or anything similar to what you don't want him to chew.
Writer Bio
Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. She loves writing about careers for busy families as well as family oriented planning, meals and activities for all ages.