How to prevent dogs from biting furniture

When I got home, I saw that the edges of the brand-new sofa were covered with tooth marks, the corners of the wooden table had become uneven, and the legs of my beloved chair also couldn't escape the "bad luck". Then I looked at the dog beside me wagging its tail with an innocent look, and that feeling of being angry and helpless welled up in my heart instantly. We know that they don't mean to damage things on purpose, but these behaviors not only affect the beauty of the home but may also endanger the dog's own health. Every dog is an important member of the family. They can't express their needs in words, and chewing on furniture might be a way for them to send some kind of signal. Only by understanding the motivation behind their behaviors and guiding them in a scientific and loving way can we protect the furniture and meet the dog's needs, allowing them to grow up healthily and happily.

From a physiological perspective, the teething period is an important factor for dogs to chew on furniture. Puppies between 3 and 8 months old will go through the teething process. During this stage, their baby teeth gradually fall out and permanent teeth begin to grow. During the tooth replacement period, the dog's gums will have uncomfortable symptoms such as itching and dull pain. In order to relieve this uncomfortable feeling, they will instinctively rub their gums by chewing on various items. The material and shape of the furniture have a certain attraction for puppies in the teething period, so it becomes a "tool" for them to relieve discomfort. Just imagine that in the little puppy's mouth, new teeth are emerging, and the gums are itchy and painful. They can only relieve the pain by biting things, but they don't know which things they can bite and which they can't. At this time, they actually need more understanding and guidance from the owner.

In addition to teething, boredom and excessive energy are also common reasons for dogs to chew on furniture. Dogs are energetic animals. If they don't have enough exercise and playtime every day, their excess energy has nowhere to be released, and they will chew on furniture to pass the time and find fun. Especially when the owner goes out for a long time and leaves the dog at home alone, they are likely to feel lonely and bored facing the empty room, and the furniture becomes the object for them to "relieve boredom". In addition, dogs are naturally curious and full of the desire to explore everything around them. Every corner and different materials of the furniture can arouse their curiosity and prompt them to feel and explore with their mouths.

Some dogs chew on furniture because of a lack of trace elements. When a dog's diet structure is unreasonable, resulting in a lack of certain trace elements in its body, it will develop pica, which is manifested as chewing on various non-food items, including furniture. This situation will not only damage the furniture but also affect the dog's own health. Watching the dog chew on furniture due to physical discomfort, the owner's heart is filled with distress and wishes to solve the problem for it immediately.

To prevent dogs from chewing on furniture, we first need to meet their physiological needs during the teething period. Prepare special teething tools for the dog, such as rubber teething sticks and chew toys. These teething tools can not only help the dog relieve gum discomfort but also satisfy their chewing desire, and at the same time, they won't damage the furniture. When choosing teething tools, pay attention to their quality and safety to ensure that they won't be chewed into pieces and swallowed by the dog, causing dangers such as suffocation or intestinal blockage. Put the teething tools in places where the dog can easily find them and guide them to chew on these special items. When you find that the dog is chewing a teething stick, give praise and rewards in a timely manner. It can be a gentle stroke, kind words, or a delicious snack, so that they understand that biting these things is allowed and encouraged.

For dogs that chew on furniture due to boredom and excessive energy, increasing exercise and enriching their lives are the keys. Arrange a fixed time every day to play with the dog. Through games such as playing ball, tug-of-war, and chasing, consume their energy and let them release their excess energy in the games. According to the dog's age, body size, and health condition, reasonably arrange the exercise time and intensity. For small dogs and senior dogs, we can choose milder exercise methods, such as simple fetching games indoors or slow walks in the community, with each exercise session lasting 15 - 20 minutes. For energetic large dogs and young dogs, we can increase the intensity of exercise, such as jogging and playing frisbee chasing games, with each exercise session lasting about 30 minutes. In addition, provide a variety of toys for the dog, such as plush toys, squeaky toys, and puzzle toys, and replace the toys regularly to maintain a sense of freshness. Puzzle toys can stimulate the dog's intelligence and make them think while playing. For example, hide snacks in the puzzle toys and let the dog find the food through exploration. This can not only satisfy their curiosity but also prevent them from focusing their attention on the furniture.

If a dog chews on furniture because of a lack of trace elements, the diet structure needs to be adjusted. Choose high-quality dog food with a balanced nutrition to ensure that it contains all kinds of trace elements that the dog needs. You can also, under the guidance of a veterinarian, supplement the dog with special trace element tablets. At the same time, avoid feeding the dog a single type of food, and appropriately add some fresh vegetables and meat to provide the dog with more comprehensive nutrition. When the dog's body is adequately supplemented with nutrition, the symptoms of pica will gradually improve, and the behavior of chewing on furniture will also decrease accordingly.

In the process of preventing dogs from chewing on furniture, some auxiliary methods can also be used. Spray pet-specific repellents on the surface of the furniture. These repellents have odors that dogs don't like, which can make them stay away from the furniture voluntarily. But be sure to choose safe and non-toxic products to avoid affecting the dog's health. When you find that the dog has the behavior of chewing on furniture, stop it in a timely manner. You can say "no" in a serious tone and at the same time, shift the dog's attention to suitable items, such as handing it a teething toy. If the dog obeys the command and stops chewing on the furniture, give rewards immediately. Through repeated guidance and training, let the dog gradually understand which behaviors are not allowed.

Preventing dogs from chewing on furniture requires the owner's patience and carefulness. This process is like a "protracted war" full of love and wisdom. Every guidance and every company are the care for the dog's growth. One day, when we see that the dog that used to be naughty and liked to chew on furniture has become a well-behaved and sensible partner, all the efforts will turn into full happiness and gratification. Let's accompany the dog through this special stage with warm love and scientific methods and jointly create a harmonious and wonderful living environment.