Dealing With a Dog's Destructive Chewing

It is one of life's greatest joys to know the love and companionship of a dog. They follow you around with deep admiration in their eyes. They get excited when you come home. A lick on the face and the wagging of their tail confirms that you are everything good in the world to them. Such a simple and complete love.

At times, however, living with a dog can also be one of life's greatest frustrations. Dogs chew. It's instinctive to their nature, and until you teach them otherwise, they see no difference between your couch and a chew toy. To them, it all looks like fair game for a chew session.

There are several reasons a dog will chew. You have to understand first why he's chewing before you can determine how best to handle it. A young dog will chew to relieve the pain caused by incoming teeth. This teething phase is usually complete by the age of six months.

But your dog's chewing behavior will not necessarily end once your dog passes the age of six months. A dog's mouth and whiskers are, for all intents and purposes, his hands and fingers. He will use them to explore and understand the world around him. He must have some way to find out what tastes good, what stings, and what bites back.

Grannick's Bitter Apple

You can use deterrent sprays on objects you do not want your dog to chew, but it cannot be your sole means of addressing destructive chewing. Your dog will also need to learn what it is okay to chew. When you catch him chewing something he is not allowed to chew, intervene with a sharp "no" and give him a bone, rawhide or toy that he is allowed to chew. Then praise him. Eventually, he will make the connection that it is okay to choose some things, but not others.

Adult dogs instinctively chew to keep their teeth clean and jaws strong. But sometimes, chewing can become excessive. Some of the top reasons for excessive chewing in dogs are:

Boredom

Lack of exercise

Separation anxiety

Many dogs will chew excessively when they are bored or have pent-up energy. The quickest and most effective defense against chewing from boredom is to give them plenty of exercise. Get outside and take long walks. Let them enjoy playtime with other dogs. Keep your dog's mind engaged through training exercises. Playing fetch and tug with him will help burn off excess energy.

Chewing can be a sign of separation anxiety. One of the best ways to help deal with it is to make sure your dog has plenty of chew toys, bones or rawhide available to him whenever you must leave him. 

We might wish otherwise, but sometimes we must leave our dogs at home for extended periods of time. At least until you get his destructive chewing under control, use a crate or confine him to a small area like a bedroom when you leave. The laundry room is not recommended because there are too many tempting smells to try to taste in there.

Whether he's home alone or you are with him, make sure any shoes and clothing are put away. Shut the closet and bathroom doors. And, most importantly, give him things that he is allowed to chew. You can find many great toys and treats online. By reading buyer reviews, you can determine which toys stand up to aggressive chewing.

Do not give your dog cooked bones or any bones from fowl, such as chicken. These bones are dangerous. They have a tendency to splinter, which can cause harm to your dog's mouth, throat and entire digestive system.

If your dog is eating strange things and nothing you do works to divert his behavior, see your vet. He may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency or a gastrointestinal issue.

If you take care of your dog by giving him lots of exercise and long-lasting, durable toys to chew, you will spend many more of your days enjoying his love and adoration rather than suffering through the frustration of inappropriate chewing.

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Why Is Dog Training The Best Thing We Can Do For Our Dogs?

We're always told how important it is to train our dogs, but what exactly is dog training and why is it so important anyway?

The following list explains why it is absolutely vital that we provide proper socialization and training to our canine friends.

Please read these 5 undeniable reasons why we owe it to our dogs to train them:

1. Dog training helps to build and strengthen a healthy and productive relationship with your dog.

• Dog training opens up the lines of communication between you and your dog. A real form of two-way communication is established through positive non-violent dog training. You and your dog will learn to interact with each other in a mutually respectful manner, based on co-operation and understanding.

• A well socialized and trained dog will become a fantastic life-long companion, workmate and friend. An untrained dog can quickly become a burden and an endless source of frustration. Instead of having a lopsided relationship where you are continually yelling at or reprimanding your untrained dog, why not set your dog up to succeed by providing some leadership and clear guidelines for him/her to follow?

• A trained dog is a well respected and trusted member of society who is welcomed almost anywhere. This has to be a positive thing for your relationship, doesn't it?

2. Training prevents many common "dog problems" from ever arising.

• A whole range of common dog behavior problems can be prevented through some obedience training. Dogs are creatures of habit so why not use this to your advantage by helping your dog to develop good behavior habits from an early age? If you are proactive and set up some simple guidelines and routines for your puppy to follow you may never have to deal with destructive behaviors such as digging, chewing, excessive barking and even separation anxiety.
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• When a so-called behavior problem does arise you and your trained dog will be well equipped to work through it. You will be able to clearly communicate with your dog that the behavior is unacceptable. You may even choose to get your dog to perform an alternate behavior in place of the existing problem. An example of this would be if your dog was up surfing your countertops for food scraps you could get him/her to "go to your spot" instead.

•  The vast majority of "bad dogs" or dogs with behavior problems eventuate because the dog has never been taught any better. A dog does not chew your expensive shoes to get back at you or because he/she is evil. They do it simply because you left the shoe lying around with a bored and stressed dog. Most probably if you provided a tasty chew toy and did some chew toy training then your dog would be more than happy to chew on the toy only.

• A trained dog is also a pleasure to take for a walk (no pulling!) and trips to your Vet or Dog Groomer are never a problem.

3. Training your dog is a necessary safety measure for you, your dog and everything that comes into contact with your dog.

• Having your dog under voice control in any situation is a very reassuring position to be in - it may even save your dog's life one day. If your dog is about to bolt out onto a busy road or pick up something dangerous it is great to be able to immediately intervene and change their behavior with an obedience training command such as "no", "come" or "leave it".

• A properly socialized and trained dog is a much safer proposition around other dogs and animals. Dog training plays a crucial role in educating your dog how to act appropriately around yourself, your children and visitors to your home.

4. A trained dog is confident, secure and comfortable with his/her place in your household.

• A well-trained dog appreciates the guidance, structure, and boundaries you provide through training. It's far better than having a nervous, anxious and confused dog who is continually being yelled at for things he/she doesn't even understand. Training relieves much of the frustration and stress that exists between you and your dog.

• Training sets up proper household etiquette for your dog to follow. It addresses such issues as bolting out the front door, chewing, jumping up on guests and excessive barking.

• Dog training provides a brilliant release or outlet for all of your dog's pent-up energy. This energy has to come out in one way or another so why not channel it into something productive like obedience training?

5. A trained dog's life takes a far different path to that of an untrained dog.

• Most dogs that end up in animal shelters arrive there because they have at least one behavior problem - many of these problems can be easily controlled through some basic obedience training. Untrained dogs often become a pest and are pushed further and further away from the family. This of course only compounds the existing problems. Behaviors such as jumping up, mouthing and cheeky barking which you considered to be cute in your young puppy suddenly become a real problem as the dog grows up.

• When we bring a new dog into our lives we are bringing a different species into a world that is completely foreign to them - our human world. We owe it to our dogs to help them fit into our way of life by clearly showing them what is expected of them and what is acceptable behavior - this is what dog training provides.

So there they are, the 5 reasons I believe every dog deserves at least some basic training - for everybody's benefit.

For just a second forget about all of the benefits listed above that obedience training provides. Would you still train your dog even if all of the benefits listed did not apply? I would, because training your dog is one of the real joys of owning a dog, it is great fun. Time spent training your dog is time well spent - for all involved.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Is-Dog-Training-The-Best-Thing-We-Can-Do-For-Our-Dogs?&id=710933

Dog's Dental Care - Dogs Need Teeth For A Bite!

Not many people understand the importance of dental care in maintaining the general health and well being of dogs. Just like humans, dogs need regular dental care. It is the responsibility of owners to make sure that they get it. A responsible dog owner takes care of their dog's teeth.

Food residue can accumulate on your dog's teeth just as it does on your own teeth. It quickly leads to tartar and plaque build-up causing tooth decay and gum disease. All the things you know about dental care in humans applies to your dog too.

If you neglect your dog's dental care it can lead to pain for the dog. The pain will stop them eating and their health will suffer as a result. An even more serious result of tooth decay are diseases and ulcerated gums that can cause blood poisoning if left untreated.

Ulcerated Gums

Even if you avoid giving your dog sweet treats they are at risk of dental decay. So it is important to pay attention to dental hygiene when caring for your dog. Dental care is vital to maintaining your dog's health.

Brushing is essential. A small soft brush is best. You can get a specially designed canine brush from your veterinarian or dog food supplier.

Remember that a dog's sense of smell and taste is far more acute than ours so don't use toothpaste that is intended for human beings. It is too strongly flavored and would distress a dog. Canine toothpaste usually has a meaty flavor that your dog will like.

Begin your dental care regime when your dog is a puppy. They get used to having their teeth brushed and regard it as part of their regular grooming routine. Start with small sessions at first. You must build up your dog's trust in order to let you clean their teeth.

Your choice of food is also important. Dogs need to crunch and chew their food. In the wild they are used to crunching bones. It is important to allow them to have a bone or chew toys. It is a valuable part of your dog's dental care.

Dry food and biscuits are better than canned dog meat for dental care. They help to keep the teeth clean and do not build up on the teeth allowing bacteria to multiply. Some biscuits are specially designed for cleaning a dog's teeth. These make a good treat for good behavior. You will know that you have taken care of your dog's dental health and your dog will feel rewarded.

If your dog has dental problems you will get a face full of bad breath every time he greets you. Eventually you will get a massive bill from your veterinarian. Dog dentistry is seriously expensive. What is more, it is dangerous because it needs an anesthetic. So avoid it if you can be paying attention to your dog's dental care.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Dogs-Dental-Care---Dogs-Need-Teeth-For-A-Bite!&id=1662194

Is It Safe To Give Your Dogs A Bone?

The image of a dog with its bone is one of those classic images in media. You see it in all manner of television shows, cartoons, and paintings. Many people like to keep bones aside for their dogs for this purpose. It gives a dog something to chew on, and it allows them to enjoy the taste of any meat still connected to the bone.

Is it safe, though? Unfortunately, it's not. There are some bones that it may be safe for a dog to chew on, but by and large, bones are actually quite dangerous for dogs. This is because bones tend to splinter and chip. It's incredibly easy for one of those splinters or chips to get lodged into the skin of a dog's mouth. This can cause all manner of health problems, up to and including an infection that would end with needing to remove part of the dog's jaw.

Some of the larger bones, such as cow femur bones, are a bit safer. It's more difficult for a dog to splinter these bones with chewing. Any bird bones, however, are incredibly dangerous. You should never allow your dog to chew on chicken bones, turkey bones, or the bones of any other poultry. This is because birds have hollow bones, which makes them so much easier to splinter.

If you can't give your dog a bone, what should you allow your dog to chew on? There are a number of chewing toys available at most pet shops, and many of those are much more appropriate. The traditional one is a rawhide bone, and there's no reason not to go traditional. Many of these chewing toys are even flavored, allowing your dog to enjoy a taste they'll love while they're also chewing on things that are much safer for them to chew.

Due to a combination of tradition and popular media, it's really easy to think you should give your dogs the bones from you meal. Yet it's an incredibly dangerous thing to do. So you should avoid doing it whenever you can. If you want to give your dog some meat, then simply give your dog some meat. If you want to give them a chew toy, buy an actual chew toy. Giving them a bone is just increasing the risk of getting a bone chip splintered into their jaw or gut, and that can cause way too many problems.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-It-Safe-To-Give-Your-Dogs-A-Bone?&id=9128931

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