How do/did you guys break your dogs from chewing on everything? My dog has torn up every single thing in the backyard. We had to take all of DS's toys out of the backyard because the dog would literally eat them. He is chewing up our patio furniture and everything! HELP! What do I do?

I sincerely hope this isn't the reason you have been MIA. :giggle

I sincerely hope this isn't the reason you have been MIA. :giggle

Yup, They arrested me because I murdered my dog! :giggle JUST kidding. Nope, that's actually the least of my problems right now, I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions.

Try catching him in the act and spraying him with the hose or a water bottle. You can try to spray bitter apple on the parts of furniture that he chews. That might work.

i know i put tabasco sause on the door stoppers that my cat chews on, he stopped that.

I'd think the same thing would work for dogs.

There is a spray you can use to keep them away from chewing. I hope you find something to get the chewing to stop. I have enough trouble getting my kittens from eating everything lol.

How old is your dog? You could try the bitter apple spray.

But if you really want to nip the bad behavior you should put your dog on 'house arrest' of sorts. Do not give him the privledge of being left alone, since he can't be trusted alone (use a crate if you have one for when you leave the house, if not put the dog in a room like the bathroom or kitchen with some toys, but not much else that they can destroy). I know it would be hard, espeically since you have a child, but watching your dog 100% and firmly telling them "NO" every time you see them go to chew on something that they are not supposed to be, and then redirecting them to a toy that they CAN chew on is going to be your best bet of fully breaking the habbit.

We started this with our puppy when we got him at 9 weeks old, and now at 5 1/2 months he knows what he is allowed to chew on and what he isn't. We had VERY few incidents where he got ahold of something he wasn't supposed to long enough to do any damage, because we were always watching him. Actually, I don't think he destroyed anything, beyond a couple of teeth marks. And he is a lab!

Another thing you can do is make your dog a toy box (or basket, or whatever), so that they know where there things to chew on are at all times. Then whenever you see them starting in on something they shouldn't have tell them "No", then take them over to their toy box and say "toy". Eventually you'll get to the point where you'll be able to recognize they are looking for something to chew on before they even get it, and all you'll have to say is "toy" and s/he'll know to go to his toy box and pick out a toy! And after that your dog will get to the point that when they have the urge to chew, they'll just go over to the toy box and pick something out.

Also, reward your dog for chewing on the right things. If they get one of their toys all on their own and start chewing on it reward them for that with a small treat or praise.

Wow, sorry that got long winded! :blush

My mom and stepdad use a can of coins.. when he's doing it you shake it and it scares them.
Or spray a little bit of vinegar on whatever he chews.. ew vinegar!

For me, I just didn't leave my puppies unattended until they knew better. I don't leave them outside alone for any long period of time and in the house I keep them in my sight. If they go to chew on something, I tell them NO firmly and take them away from what they were going to chew on, so far it's worked for 3 dogs :) I also make sure they have good strong toys meant for chewers and I give them those when they want to chew. I have my almost 1 1/2 year old 7lb havachon and my 11 months old 80 Goldendoodle who have never chewed on a single piece of furniture or anything else really. For me it was about be VERY attentive with them (I have decent furniture and don't want it ruined).. ALL puppies try to chew on stuff, you just have to teach them not to.

Some dogs actually LIKE bitter apple spray.

Good Luck!

For me, I just didn't leave my puppies unattended until they knew better. I don't leave them outside alone for any long period of time and in the house I keep them in my sight. If they go to chew on something, I tell them NO firmly and take them away from what they were going to chew on, so far it's worked for 3 dogs :) I also make sure they have good strong toys meant for chewers and I give them those when they want to chew. I have my almost 1 1/2 year old 7lb havachon and my 11 months old 80 Goldendoodle who have never chewed on a single piece of furniture or anything else really. For me it was about be VERY attentive with them (I have decent furniture and don't want it ruined).. ALL puppies try to chew on stuff, you just have to teach them not to.

Some dogs actually LIKE bitter apple apray.

Good Luck!

Our friends use that for their dog, but our dog will actually go lick it off whatever they have sprayed it on!

I saw you say somewhere in another thread that your dog spends most of his time outside. I think that is the problem with his chewing. He is left alone too long outside and he's bored, so he's chewing the stuff in the yard and in your patio.

We stopped just letting her go out back by herself. after doing that for about 2 months and catching her and telling her no, she doesnt do it anymore. now when she gets bored out there, she comes and lays in front of the door or jumps at the kitchen window to let us know she is ready to come in.

We stopped just letting her go out back by herself. after doing that for about 2 months and catching her and telling her no, she doesnt do it anymore. now when she gets bored out there, she comes and lays in front of the door or jumps at the kitchen window to let us know she is ready to come in.


We always kept our dogs around us until they knew not to do those things :yes

What helped us was lots and lots of yummy dog bones, cookies, and a few kongs. Lucky also has a "toy box" that he always has access to, and tons of toys in it. I get them from the thrift store, and the squeakier the better!

I saw you say somewhere in another thread that your dog spends most of his time outside. I think that is the problem with his chewing. He is left alone too long outside and he's bored, so he's chewing the stuff in the yard and in your patio.

I know.. that's our biggest problem. I hate that he spends so much time outside. I have been having a hard time keeping up with him and my son, and he ends up going outside. I feel so bad for it and keep telling my husband that we need to let him in more. He spends the evenings and nights inside. He is just outside during the day. I do feel guilty for letting him spend so much time outside.