How to Eliminate Excessive Chewing and Barking

While puppies come with many cute and cuddly traits, they also come with some irritating ones. Coming in at the top of the common-but-annoying behavior list are chewing and barking. While these behaviors may be nerve-wracking for most family members, luckily, they can be corrected with patience and practice.

Why is my Dog Constantly Barking?

Like chewing, barking is an instinctive trait. Depending on the situation, your pup is either excited or scared and is expressing himself with a little extra barking. 

Try to narrow down what is triggering the barking and find positive ways to distract your pup when those triggers arise. For example, when the delivery man is approaching the door, give your buddy his favorite chew toy and direct him away from the door. You can also put your dog’s brain to work during triggering times by practicing a command like Sit or Down. This can be the perfect distraction away from the triggering delivery man, reducing the barking while practicing obedience.

It is important to remember your puppy isn’t intentionally trying to irritate you he just doesn’t know any better…yet. It is your responsibility to guide your new friend in the proper direction.

How Do I Stop the Chewing?

Chewing can make most dog owners frustrated quickly. Whether it’s your new shoes or the living room furniture, it only takes ruining one item to send owners rushing online to find quick solutions for the problem. 

Chewing is a natural dog behavior, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. The right training can change your dog’s behavior and save your household items.  It’s important to understand that as a puppy, your buddy is chewing on things to relieve tooth pain as well as to explore the world around him. Chewing can be beneficial too, as it can keep your dog’s teeth clean and strong. 

Say goodbye to destructive chewing by introducing proper chew toys early on and praising your puppy when he chews them. It’s also important to understand that if your dog is still chewing after the puppy phase is through, it could indicate boredom or stress. Have you changed your routine which leaves your pup alone longer than usual? This change in routine can cause your puppy to act out as well. Oftentimes, increasing exercise and socialization can help deter these nuisance behaviors.

Finding just the right training technique can be frustrating at times. This is when it helps to recruit some professionals for the job. The experienced staff at Dog Training Now Charleston is prepared with several training methods to help you get the results you are looking for. Don’t wait until you lose another shoe, call today!