Help - puppy is chewing up the house

[Pipsqueak]

I know that chewing is something puppies do as they're growing. I've bought Pipsqueak the appropriate toys and bones so he can express his natural desire to chew. However, he still wants to gnaw on our hands and feet which hurts. He's also chewing up the house which isn't good for the home and isn't safe for Pipsqueak. Do you know any training techniques that will help with our situation?

 

[Camp Ruff Ruff]

If you haven’t already checked out our Puppy section it’s a great place to start. You should find some great tips and information to help start setting you and your puppy up for better success.

 

[DenverDogLover82]

Puppies like to chew on things while they are teething because it makes their gums feel better.

You've taken a great first step by giving your puppy a lot of appropriate chew toys to gnaw on.

Try to keep everything you don't want your puppy to chew, such as clothes, shoes, remote controls, books, children's toys, etc., out of his reach. Can you put your puppy into a safe room while you're away until he learns what he can and cannot chew? That would help keep him safe when you can't be around to watch him.

If you see your puppy chewing on something he shouldn't, make a loud noise to interrupt him. Give him an appropriate chew toy, and give him a lot of praise when he takes the toy into his mouth.

I hope this helps some. Please keep us updated on how he's doing!

 

[HereSadie]

I've found that Grannick's Bitter Apple works as an excellent deterrent on household items that can't be removed, like furniture, and dangerous items, like electrical cords.

 

[Pipsqueak]

I was hesitant to use Bitter Apple, just out of fear that it might make Pip sick, but it didn't make him ill and it absolutely worked. I only sprayed it on the truly dangerous stuff like the electrical cords and the strings on the blinds. I tucked the strings up so they wouldn't tempt him, but I sprayed it too, just in case the kids forget to tuck them back up. I have puppy proofed the house as best as I can. I don't like closing off doors to my pup, but for now the office and workshop are off limits. Other than that, we're doing a lot of redirection. Pip still wants to chew our hands and feet and will eventually go for them. We tell Pip to "be easy" then give him something else to gnaw on.

DenverDogLover, that was a good tip about tucking Pip away in a "safe room". I like that idea much better than putting him in a crate which is what my vet suggested. When we're going to be out of the house and the pup can't come with us, I put Pip in my bedroom. All shoes and other tempting items have been moved to the top shelf out of reach. I think he feels safer in that bedroom because he can smell our scent.

Thanks for the advice you guys!