Stop Your Puppy From Chewing Their Dog Bed
First, no matter what the reason, YOU MUST be there to tell them NO (this is unacceptable behavior) when they begin chewing on the bed. We are looking to stop them at the fuse (chewing) rather to let them meet their goal of …..DESTRUCTION OF THE DOGGIE BED!
Feel free to read on to learn how to stop your puppy from chewing their dog bed; however, if you’re seeking an alternative you may try obtaining a comfortable dog cot for your puppy or dog to lounge on.
Because if they are able to destroy the doggie bed enough times, they have realized that their objective is obtainable and the habit begins. Like human habits, the more it is reinforced, the more deep rooted it becomes. The more deep rooted, the more difficult it is to stop your puppy from chewing their dog bed.
The NUMBER ONE (1) mistake many puppy owners make with their pups (next to not properly crate training) is LEAVING their PUPPY alone with the doggie bed.
Before you can leave your puppy alone with his or her dog bed, we need to make sure that the following sequential steps are met. He or she is:
- Not chewing it in your presence when you are right in front of him
- Not chewing while you are not looking, but in the same area
- Not Chewing when you are in the home but in a different location
- Not Chewing when you’re in the yard (for small amounts of time. This is almost the same as puppy potty training)
Unfortunately, if you want to stop your puppy from chewing their dog bed, there is a progression to it.
Why Do Puppies and Dogs Destroy Their Doggie Beds?
Myself included, unless I show my puppies what are accetable in regards to their doggie beds they will most likely chew and destroy them. Puppies and dogs will become destructive for a myriad of reasons such as:
- a drop in their exercise level
- a change in their environment (which can cause stress and be redirected to destruction for relief, akin to a human biting their nails, pulling their hair, etc….)
- to prevent boredom (this can be not only lack of physical, but mental stimulation as well)
- Someone in the family may be rough housing with your puppy or dog near the dog bed where that excitement spills over to the dog bed
- to cope with dog separation anxiety (this is one of the reasons Dedicated Dog Training strongly recommends to give your puppy some time alone in their crate. This can help condition them to be by themself. This is done through puppy crate training). On our puppy training workshops we strongly and consistently recommend this practice to puppy pet owners.
- And for some quick learners, they may have done it once and picked up on the attention that we gave them and relaize this is a good way to promote the party!
However, for most dogs (usually puppies) chewing on their doggie bed is done simply beacuase they want to do it – like a kid touching everything – people experiment with their hands, canines with their nose and mouths. It makes them feel good! It is instinctual to their drives & can resemble prey (that’s where you may see the shaking of the bed) followed by (dissecting traits) chewing and destruction (pretty scary, right? LOL).
Feel free to comment below and share your strategy on how to stop your puppy from chewing on their dog bed with others that may have the same issue.
