My 4 month old puppy chews and gnaws on everything - even humans. Is this just normal teething puppy behavior?
Posted on Sep 15, 2008 under puppy behavior |Have chew toys, he is a male terrier.
Please remember that while puppies chew on everything, they do not inherently know how to play with toys or what is their and what isn't. Be sure to take plenty of time to 'teach' him how to play with toys - have them handy and when he reaches for your hand, give him a toy instead. NO HITTING! but collar corrections are effective and forcing submission is also important (be sure to hold him around the muzzle loosely long enough until he really, really submits - you should see him roll his eyes and/or sigh). If he immediately reaches back for your hand, you were NOT effective! You can stop play-biting within days if you're consistent. Don't use raw-hides - use bones or nylabone products or kongs. Raw-hides cannot be digested and can be softened so much that they can be swallowed and cause a blockage. Never let your puppy do to you what you wouldn't allow him to do to a 2-year-old child. Patience, consistency, and a firm hand will give you a great foundation and is worth the time.
By Miss Helping Nature on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Even human babies show that sort of behaviour….Puppies need to chew and gnaw……for fun! Don't worry friend! According to me….its normal….
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By perry22131 on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Yes. Try to attract them with toys. Some pups like squeaky toys some like stuffed toys. This will distract them from chewing your stuff. They will chew things up when teething and after teething they will keep doing it because they think it is ok to do so and they are in the habit of it.
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By Stephanie on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
completely normal I also have a 4 month old puppy who is part terrier
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personal experience
By ronald r on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
yes its normal buy it a chew toy that will cut down on some of its chewing on other things
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By Gerald S on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Yes. Keep him in a cage and give him some rawhide bones.
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By ladybug65au on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
A cure maybe allowing him to gnaw on all the awful people in the world that probably would cure your dog and get rid of scum
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By shortfrog on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Does he have a rawhide chew? Try one to see if it helps.Terriers love to play tug of war and are very energetic….but mine soon outgrew the normal chewing stage which accompanies teething.
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By nicholas_fahrenkopf on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Normal yes, but don't let it get out of hand. When a puppy is young you need to establish ground rules for acceptable behavior. Make sure he knows he can chew his toys, but not your things, or other people. If you don't do that now it will be extremely hard to teach him to be nice later in life.
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By livachic2005 on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Absolutely, its just like a human baby, shes growing new teeth and exploring what she can do with them, Make sure she has enough chew toys, or u might be like me and come home to two puppies surrounded by bits of fabric/foam/wood etc, that used to be ur sofa!!
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By Bojana on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
I think so! Normal theething.
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By +*+*Elly*+*+ on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
yes, buy it toys that it can chew on and when it chews on something it shouldnt, spary anti-chew spray on it. NOT HUMANS THOUGH
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By mel on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
This is very normal behaviour. Remember puppys go through a teething phase also.
Make sure that your puppy knows what he is allowed to chew (e.g. toys) and what is off limits.
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This might help you
http://www.try-dog-training.com/Puppy_Biting.html
By Cleveburgher on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Teething is normal at this age. If you have an old pair of socks, try stuffing one inside the other and knotting it…makes a really great chew toy with multiple "textures"…the knot…the soft, stuffed part…and the ribbed, unstuffed part. It's also great for shaking and tossing…
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I have been training dogs since age 5. My mom has been a dog breeder for over 50 years and my sister is a veterinarian.
By MadforMAC on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Terriers are hyper. But that is normal puppy behavior, you just need to take the time to train him not to chew on anything other than the toys. When he does chew on anything else, put the toy in his mouth. Make sure you say 'no' when he is biting you. If it continues for months, time to go to obediance school.
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By Tazaor on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Yes it is completely normal. Try giving him a light flick on the snot when we chews on things that he should not. Once he learns it is ok to chew on certain things the habit will stick. Puppies will be puppies. There is also bitter apple spray you can buy and spray on the things you do not want him to chew on and that helps a little. If he continues to bite on you, you can press his cheeks in a little (gently) and it will make him bite on his cheek and teach him that it hurts to bite. Eventually he will get the point.
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By Lady X on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
I have a male terrier also, as puppies they love to chew. Supply plenty of rawhide bones, he also liked shoes, socks, door molding, so be careful they can damage the home. He is 4 and til this day still chews plenty of nylabones,but stopped damaging the house after a year.
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By Cherokee Lady on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
Please remember that while puppies chew on everything, they do not inherently know how to play with toys or what is their and what isn't. Be sure to take plenty of time to 'teach' him how to play with toys - have them handy and when he reaches for your hand, give him a toy instead. NO HITTING! but collar corrections are effective and forcing submission is also important (be sure to hold him around the muzzle loosely long enough until he really, really submits - you should see him roll his eyes and/or sigh). If he immediately reaches back for your hand, you were NOT effective! You can stop play-biting within days if you're consistent. Don't use raw-hides - use bones or nylabone products or kongs. Raw-hides cannot be digested and can be softened so much that they can be swallowed and cause a blockage. Never let your puppy do to you what you wouldn't allow him to do to a 2-year-old child. Patience, consistency, and a firm hand will give you a great foundation and is worth the time.
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By jesselvr100 on Aug 23, 2006 | Reply
it is normal stop worrying my 5 month old male cockapoo did the same thing but if he still does it when he is older get bitter apple and spray it on the things he normally chews on if its not his toys or if you dont want him chewing on it dogs dont like the taste of bitter apple and he smell.
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By BehaviorReasonsforDogChewing on Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
This is one sure tip for you: Practice obedience training your dog everyday, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise. This will help stimulate your dog mentally and physically, and thereby reduce its boredom.
By BehaviorReasonsforDogChewing on Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
Yes, when there are times in the day that your dog must entertain itself, tie your dog up outside or have it somewhere where it can not reach anything but its toys to chew on. Maybe give your dog a little chew treat, or even better, one he has to chew in to get some peanut butter or other food inside. Mental stimulation is key!
Source: http://www.dogobedienceadvice.com/behavior_reasons_for_dog_chewing.php