Myth Monday #2: A good dog doesn’t chew things.
A client once said to me “I just want him to stop chewing all the time, that’s all he wants to do is chew everything!” She was fed up with her 1 year old mixed breed dog who had chewed baseboards, chair legs, couches, shoes, and anything else he could find. I understood her frustration…but dog’s chew. Chewing on things is a basic instinct and a need for dogs. So to ask your dog to stop chewing EVERYTHING is like telling your child to not touch everything…it’s just not going to work. Instead we need to teach out dogs to chew the RIGHT things.
I have 2 dogs that are both VERY heavy chewers so I know this issue all too well. They’ve chewed up some clothing, part of a baseboard, blankets, pillows, and various other non-important items. Every single time they found something to chew on that I didn’t want them to chew on, it was my fault. I left my clothes out on the bed or I was doing something in the kitchen and not paying attention to the puppy. Things happen and people get distracted. The one thing I always tell clients is to make sure your dog ALWAYS ALWAYS has plenty of objects that are appropriate for chewing.
I will get into some things I recommend for chewers, but first I want to explain why letting your dog chew is so important. Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs. I won’t get into deep explanations, it’s just something they like to do. A dog’s mouth is the equivalent of the human hand, they use it to pick things up, feed themselves, move things around, and to play. So think about chewing like you would think about yourself using a stress ball. It makes them feel good, it relieves some of their stress and anxiety. And it is super important for puppies when they’re teething because just like babies…those adult teeth coming in really start to hurt!
Now, when you have a dog that is chewing things that are inappropriate, I recommend redirection. Yelling and screaming at your dog to stop chewing on the couch is not going to get them to stop doing it. Most dogs are going to ignore you and wonder why you’re yelling at them for doing something that to them is sooooooo great! We want to be sure that we redirect them to something that is of greater value than what they’re already chewing on. This means we may have to get out the special bones for this part. I always keep some really tasty chew bones hidden away so that if my dogs start to chew on something they shouldn’t, I get their attention by saying their name and then I give them an appropriate item to chew on. This works most of the time. If it doesn’t and they go back to chewing whatever they were chewing before, I put them in a crate for a little while with a good chew bone and let them go to work on that. Typically, by the time they come out, they are satisfied with the time they got to chew and they don’t go back to that spot.
You’re probably thinking, this is great but what is okay for my dog to chew? Don’t worry, I got you.
Here’s a list of things you should AVOID and why:
Any type of rawhide. Working in the vet field, I’ve seen dogs get these stuck in their mouths, throats, and I’ve seen them need to be surgically removed from the stomach. Just don’t give these ever. Make sure any chew bone you give states that it is rawhide free.
Pig ears…for the same reason as rawhides AND they’re known for giving dogs pancreatitis.
Rachel Ray soup bones. Dear reader, please avoid all Rachel Ray foods…just please.
DreamBone products. I’ve watched 2 dogs almost die from eating these.
Avoid anything that is not made in the USA and that does not state that it is rawhide free.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite chew bones:
Ecokind Himalayan Yak Cheese dog chews. These are at the top of my list. My dogs LOVE them, they last a long time, and when they get to the end of the bone, just take it and heat it up in the microwave for 90 seconds and it turns into a flaky dog treat that they can safely finish. No choking hazard and no wasted bone! Find them here.
Bully sticks. Yes, when you realize what they are…it sounds kind of gross, but these soften as your dog chews them and are safe for ingestion. However, I have seen some dogs who’s digestive systems do not tolerate these well, so if you have a dog with a sensitive stomach you may want to stay clear of these. Find some here.
Greenies. I have mixed feelings on these. I do think they are great, but I find them to be more treats than chew bones. They don’t last very long, but they are safe and they do provide a great dental benefit (but they don’t replace teeth brushing!). Find them here.
Pork Chomps. I’ve given these to my dogs a couple of times and they really love them! They do tend to chew them a bit quicker than a yak chew or bully stick, but they do last long enough to eat dinner and keep the dogs distracted. Again, beware these are not for every day and may cause upset tummy. Find them here.
Something to remember is that any of these bones can cause GI upset just like any new treat or food you start your dog on. Please be paying attention any time your dog is chewing these things and make sure to keep an eye out for any vomiting, diarrhea, or other intestinal distress. And if you see any of these things, contact your vet and make sure to let them know you tried a new chew!
Now, your dog can’t have bully sticks and greenies all day every day…but your dog may want to chew all day every day. Finding toys that are appropriate for chewing varies depending on the dog’s size and chew strength. I have a very powerful chewer and a not so powerful chewer. So please be aware these toys and bones are NOT a one size fits all.
I love Benebone chew bones. These are VERY hard. I only recommend them for extremely powerful chewers. And you MUST monitor your dog when chewing them because they should not ingest the bone so when you notice it starting to wear down, it’s time to throw it out and get a new one. Check them out here.
Nylabone brand has some really great chewing options, especially for puppies. However, they are NOT safe for ingesting so make sure to keep an eye on your dog and take away the toy before they are ripping into it and eating it. Check out one of my favorite Nylabone items for power chewers here. And some for puppies here.
I LOVE Playology rope toys! They really do last a lot longer than regular ropes, however, they do tend to be very expensive, but worth the month since they last longer. They also specify which toys are for which level of chewer your dog is, which can be super helpful! Check out one of their rope toys here.
Lastly, rubber toys that are made for tough chewers. There are tons of them on the market and finding one that works for your dog is something you really just have to look into on your own. Kong makes some great toys, but I do find that my dog can still chew up a Kong. Try something like this, for a heavy chewer.
I would like to sum up this myth Monday by stating that I do no endorse any of these products, they are simply ones I have used in my many years with dogs and they are ones that have worked for me and my pups. I want to reiterate that one size does not fit all for any of these products. Some bones may cause GI upset for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and some of the toys can be too hard for a pup’s teeth. Be aware of what types of things you are giving your dog to chew on and if you don’t know what to use, speak to your trainer or veterinary professional. They will be able to guide you in the right direction.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s myth. Peace out cub scout!
