How do I break my puppy's bad habit - he tries to eat EVERYTHING he finds!?

There is always plenty of food and water at my house but my 4 month old Shih Tzu puppy (JR) insists on eating anything and everything he can get his mouth on. I know he is teething and he is at the stage where his teeth are falling out and adult ones are growing in. But I don't think that is at the root of the problem. He will pick up and try to chew ROCKS! I thought dogs were supposed to have a sense about what to eat/not to eat. Do you think maybe he can't smell?


My dogs have plenty of chew toys. My three Shih Tzus are up to date on all vaccinations and have been properly tested for worms and diseases. They have a clean bill of health. Jr's sister Emma doesn't peruse, non food objects as much as he does. However, the mother dog has had a tendency to eat feces at times.


They're all eating Purina puppy food - Beneful. Before that - they were eating Iams canned (soft) puppy food. They are healthy and ate lots as newborns, nursed plenty, and got enough solid food too. Help!

How do I break my puppy's bad habit - he tries to eat EVERYTHING he finds!?
Ok while I'm answering, I have to tell ya, Beneful and Iams are crappy foods! They are just chalk full of by-products and fillers! Try feeding them a higher quality brand, like Canidae.





Ok, back to your question. How to stop your dog from chewing on everything he finds? Well here's some tips for you:





* Puppy proof the house. Get down at the dogs level and search for things you think would look interesting to your dog. Then, pick the items up and put them in a place where your dog doesn't have access to.





* Fill a water or soda bottle with coins, marbles, etc. Then every time your dog goes for something, drop the bottle. That should catch his attention, and if he looks at you, give him a treat and replace the item with one of his toys.





* Spray your dog's favorite things to chew on (that he shouldn't be) with Bitter Apple ( http://www.petsmart.com/search/index.jsp... ), a spray that tastes horrible to dogs, and he'll stay away from them.





* Kongs are great for teething. They keep dog's minds off interesting things to chew on and more on getting the food out! Maybe you'd wanna consider getting a kong for your dog. http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.h...





* Supervise him all the time.





* Limit his freedom. Give him boundaries. Close the doors, or if none, gate them off, of the rooms that he is not welcome in.





* Have one room or corner blocked off with a baby gate that is only for him, has lots of fun toys, has his food and water, and has his bed in. Send him there when he isn't can't be supervised.
Reply:tap him on the nose and tell him no firmly.. he'll catch on.
Reply:its completely normal for a puppy to chew on stuff!


becasue there teething


but if you dont break the habit beofre they're gonna continue


well for starters dont leave anyhting like chewable lying around, and when you see him going for something make sure to discinpline him, make him understand its not right..also get him his own toys to play with.
Reply:okay, the best thing to do is go to a pet store and there u will find kongs, they have them for all dog sizes, toy,small, large,and extra large dogs.....


they are seriously miracle workers, my dogs ate everything from my clothes to a whole leather couch and matching chair,rocks and even chewed on cement bricks lol


and then i found the kong, i did some research and dogs have to keep their mouths busy or they will beome bored as they do in nature...


the kong is vertually indestructable and will keep them busy for hours they even have treats and pastes that u can out inside and they will spend hours trying to get it out!!!!


after i got my dog his kong he has never chewed up anything again!!!!


good luck i hope u get it they really do work, i have never heard or seen anything that works this well!!!!!


and i have learned with my dogs that tapping their noses or saying no does not work, my dog waited til i left or slept to detrusct things, a kong is the best way to go
Reply:just lightly tap them on the nose and say no.


there puppies so they tend to do that.


try and break the habit before they get older.


or they will think its okay and continue doing it!
Reply:Anytime he is eating something he is not suppose to tell him no, take it from him and tap him on the nose, then replace it with something he is allowed to chew on. My puppy use to do the same thing, now she only chews on things I have given her before.
Reply:Ok, Limit His Freedom. Put Him In A Room Full Of Chew Toys And Nothing Un-Chewable, And Put A Stairgate Or Wood Or Something Across So He Can't Get Out. Once He Realises That All The Things In The Room Are There For Chewing, He'll Prefer Them To Harder Things Like Rocks.





Show Him What He Can Chew, And Don't Let Him Chew ANYTHING Else. It May Be Tempting To Let Him Eat A Shoe Or Old Sock, But He'll Think Its Ok To Eat ALL Shoes And Socks.





Praise Him When He Chews What He's Supposed To, And Sternly Tell Him 'NO' To What He Shouldn't Chew And Offer Him His Chew Toy Instead, Praising Him Again. He'll Prefer The Praise To The Telling Off And Learn To Chew His Toys.





Hope This Helps



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