Many dogs chew on their beds, creating a tough problem for pet owners. How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Its Bed is a common concern, as dogs love to chew, and their comfy beds are tempting. However, excessive chewing can hurt them and lead to costly repairs. Pet owners should understand why dogs chew beds and how to prevent it.
This article discusses the reasons for bed chewing and offers tips to help your dog.
Table of Contents
Why Do Dogs Chew Their Bed?
To tackle bed chewing, we must first understand its causes:
Teething in Puppies
Puppies often chew on their beds and other household items when they are teething. A natural response is chewing. Puppies chew to find relief when they lose baby teeth and get adult ones. Soothe sore gums with chew toys. Try frozen wet cloths or rubber teething toys.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety often chew their beds when left alone. Chewing may help calm them down and reduce stress. If your dog is whining, barking, or pacing, it might have this issue.
Absence of Stimulation and Boredom
A bored dog needs mental stimulation. Without it, chewing can damage the bed and lose blankets. Energetic breeds especially need more activity to avoid destructive chewing.
Environmental or Routine Change Stress
A new place, like a house, a new pet, or even loud fireworks and thunderstorms, can change stress levels. Some dogs chew on their bed to cope with these shifts. Identify the source of stress to help your dog relax and adjust over time.
How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Their Bed?
Training Techniques to Prevent Chewing
In order to stop excessive chewing, train your dog with doesn’t overly harsh commands such as, “No.” Show them the chew toy. Give treats and praise when they respond correctly. Teaching the “Leave it” is a useful technique.
Repeating these methods will train your dog to chew on the right items. This happens through positive reinforcement.
Providing the Right Chew Toys
You can solve the problem of your dog’s bed chewing due to boredom by providing adequate toys. Chewing is a natural behavior among dogs, and they need a proper and safe way to express it. Purchase some chew toys for them made of rubber, nylon, or rope, since these are durable materials.
Investing in a chew-proof dog bed
If your dog keeps chewing his or her bed, maybe it is time to consider purchasing a chew-resistant dog bed. Chew-proof dog beds use tough materials like ballistic nylon, canvas, and Cordura. These fabrics can handle a lot of chewing and help stop your dog from chewing its bed.
Manufacturers design these beds to be chew-proof while providing comfort to your dog.
Introducing New Bedding Gradually
Dogs tend to chew on objects for no reason other than them being new to their surroundings. If you have purchased a new dog bed, then you should gradually introduce it into their collection.
Use positive reinforcement. Place a favorite toy or blanket on the new bed. This helps the dog see it as a cozy spot and reduces the urge to chew it.
Using Anti-Chew Sprays
Think about using an anti-chew spray if your dog keeps enjoying their bedding as a chew toy. These sprays will taste unappealing and serve to deter chewing. They can effectively stop your dog from chewing its bed. Grannick’s Bitter Apple Spray and Rocco & Roxie No Chew Spray are among the best anti-chew sprays.
By putting a tiny amount of these anti-chew sprays on the dog bed, it will reduce the dog’s propensity to chew on it.
Increase Physical Exercise
Reducing your dog’s destructive chewing behavior may be possible by tiring him out. Be sure to incorporate walking, playing, and interactive games into your dog’s daily routine.
While energetic breeds may require 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day, small and less active breeds tend to require less.Excess energy can be released through fetch, tug of war, or agility courses.
Rule Out Medical Causes
If your dog’s chewing behavior is becoming increasingly extreme or has changed suddenly, it is best to see a veterinarian and check for underlying medical issues. A blood test or review of diet may be needed to check for possible deficiencies that could explain the behavior.
Some dogs may also show signs of chewing due to allergies or gut issues, but these are manageable through proper medical treatment.
Avoiding Tug-of-War with Fabric Items
Many pet parents don’t realize that tugging on an old towel, sock, or blanket can lead to destructive chewing. It teaches dogs that any fabric is fine for chewing, which in turn leads to bed destruction.
Use only designated tug toys. Avoid household items that resemble their bedding.
What Not to Do
Avoid these common mistakes when addressing bed-chewing behaviors:
- Never exercise excessive punishment. It is far better to reward appropriate behavior than to punish it.
- Do not allow chewing of various household furniture. Doing so causes the dog to wonder what exactly is acceptable behavior.
Is it possible to stop a dog from chewing its bed?
With some patience and smart management, you can significantly reduce chewing behavior. However, it may never be completely gone.
Conclusion
To keep your dog from chewing their bed, you need patience, the right strategy, and consistency. The key step is to find out why the behavior happens. This could be biting from boredom, anxiety, teething, or stress. Chewable toys, more stimulation, and a chew-resistant bed can change their chewing habits.
Destructive behavior relies on training. Use commands like “Leave it” and give praise. This helps your dog learn to make better choices. If chewing persists, there is anti-chew spray to use, along with ensuring that a low-stress environment is maintained.
A certain degree of chewing will likely always persist because of a dog’s natural tendencies. However, the amount can greatly be reduced through positive reinforcement and early intervention. With sufficient training and care, your dog will be able to use their bed without having to tear it apart which will ensure a comfortable living arrangement for both of you.
FAQs
Why does my dog chew its bed?
Dogs chew their beds for various reasons, including boredom, anxiety, teething, stress, or lack of proper chew toys. Understanding the root cause is key to stopping the behavior.
Is it normal for dogs to chew their beds?
Yes, chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, especially in puppies and high-energy breeds. However, excessive destructive chewing can be a sign of underlying issues that need to be addressed.
How can I stop my dog from chewing their bed?
To stop bed-chewing, train your dog with commands like “Leave it.” Also, give them suitable chew toys. Increase their exercise and use a chew-resistant bed. Anti-chew sprays and proper supervision can also help.
Does exercise help prevent bed chewing?
Yes, a tired dog is less likely to chew destructively. To help reduce excessive chewing, make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Go for long walks, have play sessions, and play interactive games.
