Soothe the Urge to Chew
Probably at one time or another, we have learned one of the most difficult lessons with our dogs: Give them their own things to chew, or they will take ours. Recognizing that a dog’s natural inclination is to chew, the things that are acceptable should be those that we offer and preferably not our furniture, clothing, shoes, or dangerous household things, such as wires or plastic bottles that contain toxic chemicals.
Make sure that chewing is not destructive in any way. It is not difficult to train your dog to abide the rules of the chew.
Be aware that not only can the chewing be destructive if not channeled, but it may result in serious risks and health problems for your canine companion. Eating stuffing in pillows, suffering splinters from chewing wood door frames, or even snacking on sweater buttons is unhealthy and very unwise for your dog.
Instead, be sure that his chewing is safe, by offering him his very own chew toys. Remember that each dog has its individual chewing style and preference. Some prefer hard rubber toys that can be gnawed upon while others will choose a natural wool stuffed creature or one that is soft and more snuggly. Still others will gravitate to the type of chew item that can be almost hypnotically worked while not putting a single dent or hole in it. At the same time, there’s the benefit of better teeth and healthier gums and whiter teeth.
Be vigilant of the size of the toy that you choose. If the toy is not sized appropriately, the dog may ignore it, considering that it is too large or too small and not easily portable.
Be sure that there are no small parts that will become easily detached and risk a choking hazard for the dog. Just like babies, dogs should be supervised with their toys, at least until you are satisfied that they are safe and comfortable for the dog.
Think about how easily the toy is able to be washed or cleaned since you won’t want the toy ot harbor bacteria.
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