The jaw muscles of a dog are some of the strongest muscles in the animal kingdom. The Golden retriever, which is just average sized can strip and tear apart a thick Rawhide bone in just a couple of minutes. And that is why it is a pity that they can treat furniture the same way.

Different breeds will have different tendencies to chew and that is why owners need to know their own breed’s behavior patterns. However, mostly all dogs will chew on objects in and about the house. This is why it is important to focus their attention on objects intended for them. Still, making the dog do this can be very difficult.

Young dogs including puppies are not very choosy about the materials which they find to chew. However, owners can teach the puppies to keep away from objects which are definitely not to be chewed upon.

Foremost, it is important to point out that a little prevention can help avoid a number of problems. That is why it is wise to keep shoes, laundry and other items where dogs will be unable to gain access to them. Keeping children’s toys separated from the dog’s toys so mix ups do not occur is a good idea.

A large number of attractive toys should be placed both inside and outside the house, so that the dog has plenty of opportunity to chew them. Some species like hard rubber bones, while others prefer rawhide bones or plastic bones. It is not advisable to give many types of real bones to dogs because they can splinter easily and cause injury to the pet.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of toys made especially for dogs and some of them have treats in hollow interiors. A dog needs to work really hard to get to the treat and not only is it going to have a good physical and mental workout, but it is going to get a treat reward at the end of the activity.

It also does not hurt to take a firm tone with the dog when it grabs an unsuitable object such as socks or shoes. However, it is extremely unwise to yell or deliver hard physical punishment. Rather than yell, you will need to vent your frustrations elsewhere. Yes, this can be easier said than done but it must be followed in order to maintain the harmony of the owner/pet relationship.

The development of specific habits is going to take a lot of time and patience. Put the leash on the dog and the moment it approaches an unsuitable object, the leash has to be jerked sideways, and No said very firmly.

Remember that the leash always has to be jerked sideways, instead of the neck being yanked back. The muscles of the neck are strong, but the throat can be bruised easily. The jerking movement is not a punishment, but reinforcement.

If when outside the dog has a tendency to chew on plants, fences, or other exterior items, you can take advantage of a few commercial mixtures or home recipes to discourage such bad behavior. A little cayenne pepper paste smeared on the leaves of plants the dog is attracted to can generally eliminate chewing in merely one lesson. Then, there are commercial preparations which contain ‘bitter apple’ which has been known to discourage a number of dogs.

One needs to have consistency, persistence and patience to train a dog successfully. The idea is not to reinforce a new learning pattern, but to prevent a dog from following the natural behavioral pattern.

The easiest way to do this is to keep vigilant and calm and redirect the dog’s attention to objects which it can chew, so that it can follow its instincts. The purpose of the exercise is to keep your relationship with your pet happy, instead of losing your temper.

Learn to select the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Do not let Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or frustrating experience.

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