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How To Stop Dog Digging and Chewing

I like to periodically do dog training tele-seminars where I invite you to join me on a call to talk about various dog training topics. Last evening we did a seminar on how to stop dog digging and chewing and overall destructive behavior. The following podcast is about 36 minutes of pure content on how to put an end to destructive behavior once and for all? In it I outline my 5 steps on how to stop dog digging and chewing and then I go through reader questions and show you how you can apply these steps in real life dog training scenarios.

Would you like to be notified of our upcoming tele-seminars? Simply enter your name and email address at the top right corner of any page of this website and you’ll be notified. Down below the recording you’ll see an outline of the concepts that were discussed on the call. Happy training!

How to Stop Dog Digging and Chewing- The Steps

I’ve got a formula for how to stop dog digging and chewing that I’ve used on hundreds of dogs over the years. I’ve got a great success rate when it’s applied. That is the key phrase, though, ‘when it’s applied’. The reality is that it is harder with some dogs than others and in the difficult cases it’s not uncommon to see people give up on these steps.

• Supervision. This is a big one! Dogs that are being destructive shouldn’t be allowed to be in situations where they CAN be destructive. We need supervision while you are home and some sort of crate/confinement training while you are gone.
• Mental and physical stimulation. While many dog owners with destructive dogs THINK they are fulfilling their dog in many cases they are not. I alway tell dog owners that it is easier and more efficient to tire a dog out through the mind than it is the body. I like to use focused walks and obedience training to accomplish a mentally, and therefore physically, tired dog.
• A chewing outlet. In the podcast I get into more detail but I like to have three things going on with my dog’s chew toys: variety, challenge, and surrogate owners. Listen to the podcast for more in depth info.
• Healthy attention. If you give too much of the wrong kind of attention your dog can turn into a nervous wreck. You want the right kind of attention at the right times.
• Correct the destruction. From poop tricks to balloons to K9 entrapment using today’s latest technology there are a variety of ways to catch your dog in the act 0f being destructive.

How to stop dog digging and chewing- Summary

The thing about fixing digging and chewing is that, for the most part, it’s a science experiment. Every dog is so different with regards to their motivation for destruction to how we go about fixing it. What I’ve found, though, is that the answer for you lies in one or all of the above five steps. I’ve had clients who have casually applied just one of those steps and seen the solution. I’ve had others, though, who have had to diligently work with all five before they got their solution. Give it a listen and comment below with any questions you have.