Teeth marks on your favorite stilettos or bare wires popping from your phone charger can leave you exasperated. Whether your pup is 3 months or 9 months old, dogs love to chew. Stop a 9-month-old puppy from chewing everything with exercise, supervision and alternate choices.
Step 1
Determine why your dog is chewing everything. A 9-month-old puppy is unlikely teething. However, he may be bored, lonely, have separation anxiety or need more exercise.
Step 2
Give your puppy plenty of exercise. Walk him daily. If your schedule allows it, walk him twice a day. If you can't walk him, hire someone to walk him. A tired dog is less likely to gnaw on your favorite shoes.
Step 3
Provide your puppy with lots of acceptable items to chew, such as hard rubber balls, nylon bones, squeaky toys and toys with hidden treats. Don't give him an old pair of socks or an old shoe to chew. He will become confused because they are too much like your favorite articles. Pups need variety so switch the items periodically.
Step 4
Train him to not chew your favorite items. If you catch him chewing on your shoes, say "uh-oh" or "no.” Replace the item with one of the chew toys. Don't scold him.
Step 5
Train your dog to a crate when you are not home. Do not crate him for long periods. He's still a puppy and needs to have frequent housebreaks for potty time.
Step 6
Block off an area where he can see you, but he is unable to destroy valuable items as well as furniture. This allows you to supervise him until he learns not to destroy things.
Step 7
Keep your valuables out of his reach. Close closet doors. Put the shoes in the closet. Put the clothes in drawers or in the hamper.
References
Resources
Tips
- Bitter apple spray is a deterrent to stop your dog from chewing on surfaces. You can find it at your pet store.
- If you have to leave for a while, play with your pup or walk him to tire him beforehand.
- If you supervise him consistently, he will eventually learn to leave your items and surfaces alone.
Warnings
- Don't chase after him if he has an unacceptable item. He will think it's a game.
- Never scold or punish pets after the fact. He won't remember, and it will create anxiety in your pooch.
Writer Bio
Pauline Gill is a retired teacher with more than 25 years of experience teaching English to high school students. She holds a bachelor's degree in language arts and a Master of Education degree. Gill is also an award-winning fiction author.