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Why does my dog chew?

18/05/2019 - Training

 
 
So why does my dog like to chew?
Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs and can help improve their health and well-being. For dogs, chewing is a stress reliever, as it releases calming hormones making your dog feel happy. Puppies like to explore with their mouths so like to chew everything and anything but it also acts as pain relief when they're teething.
Dogs who have regular opportunities to chew and suitable items to chew on are much happier and in turn so are you as they are releasing their natural need to chew on something other than your sofa, table leg or door frame!
 
What can my dog chew on?
Natural chews such as dried tendon and pizzle are a great place to start as they not only help direct the desire to chew but provide a yummy snack too. Favourites in our house include the Anco root, Yaker and surprisingly an old blanket. Chews don’t have to just be hard items but can be a variety of different textures, soft, hard, flexible, smooth etc.
 
How about a Kong?
Kongs and similar stuff-able toys are a great item for chewing on but when filled with some of our dog’s daily food allowance also build in your dog’s natural desires to scavenge and work for their food. Eating meals from a Kong provides much more satisfaction than from a bowl.
Kongs not only keep your dog busy but can also assist with training in a variety of ways;
  • Encourage quiet time to help your dog learn to settle down and relax.
  • Can teach puppies what is safe to chew on
  • Encouraging your dog to settle when you have guests
  • A great distraction when leaving your dog to help prevent separation anxiety
  • Create a game by hiding the Kong in a different room or in the garden for your dog to find
  • Make it more challenging but placing the Kong inside recycling etc to create a pass the parcel
 
What can I put inside a Kong?
You can use your dog’s normal meal; raw/wet food or kibble. If using kibble seal it closed with some peanut butter (make sure there's no xylitol in the ingredients).
You can use any dog safe food such as mashed banana, cottage cheese, vegetables, melon, dog friendly pate. Fill with broth and freeze it to make a great summer treat.
 
Remember…
Supervise your dog when using Kongs and chews.
Make sure you use the correct size and type of Kong for your dog.
Keep a few stuffed Kongs in the freezer so you’ve always got a stash ready when you need them.
 
FInd out more about Kongs