Understanding how to stop your dog chewing everything is crucial as it is not simply an costly problem it can be dangerous and upsetting too.

Furniture, skirting boards, carpets, shoes and clothing can all become targets which is where the financial cost comes in, but having once caught my puppy chewing on some computer wires under my office desk, I'm all too clear about the danger that chewing can hold for the dog itself. Ask any vet and they can give you endless stories about the things dogs can chew on and swollow completely!

The saddest part of dog chewing is when they turn the chewing on themselves and compulsively chew their paws or tail until the area is raw.

Why Do Dogs Chew?

Understanding what lies at the base of your dogs chewing problem is vital if you are going to find how to stop it.

The most pronounced chewing is when a puppy is teething. This is both easy to comprehend and to address. Provide masses of toys they can chew on and start to show them what is and isn't satisfactory to chew on.

But chewing is also a natural kind of anxiety relief (consider how many people chew their nails when they're frightened) as it helps produces a natural endorphin that relaxes you down. Your dog could be chewing for a similar reason.

The issue gets even worse when a dog starts chewing on paws or other areas of themselves as the gnawing can continuously take off the fur and even goes beyond the skin sometimes and they don't appear to be aware about the damage they creating.

Have You Got A Nervous Pack Leader in the Hosue?

A dog who has decided they are pack leader is probably going to be particularly anxious. Dogs, naturally need a leader, and if they do not believe you are , they're going to take on the responsiblility themselves.

The difficulty is, dogs do not understand our human world, and is the reason why they can bark at the TV, telephone or delivery man at the door as it's all a potential threat. They can't cope with the responsibility of being pack leader and therefore the anxiousness starts and as we have mentioned, anxiety will drive a dog to chew everything and anything it can get it's teeth round.

Separation Anxiety In Dogs

You could have realized that your dog only chews when you're out. They never touch your things when you're around or chew the furniture or door frames. In reality it's just when you leave them home alone the trouble starts.

I have heard some dog owners say that their dog is doing it to get back at them for leaving them alone, and others who think that it is simply dog behavior issues. The reality is that your dog is doing it for a reason.

The Right Way To Stop Your Dog Chewing Everything

The solution is simple, take the job of pack leader away from the dog, give them time to relax and trust you and the anxious chewing should stop.

The way to do it? Good leadership is all about inspiring confidence, not fear, so there's no need to use dominance or force. You simply need to find out how to show that you're the one the dog can trust with the decision making. Once the dog knows you can be trusted with the job, then it will gladly (with some relief too) relinquish the reins and give up chewing for stress relief!