chewing problem

Question
I have a american bulldog that chews on everything I have bought just about every chew toy their is including the kong which they promise me would work but she also chewed that up too . is their anything you can suggest?

Marcia

Answer
Greetings,
Thank you for contacting All Experts. You have not provided me with the age of your dog. If you are dealing with a puppy, please understand that puppies just as babies go through teething stages. Consider that in a dog, the chewing phase generally peaks from the age of five months to a year and sometimes even longer.

If your American Bulldog is still a puppy, you can help those sore gums by offering some ice cubes every now and then. Some also find it helpful to rinse large wash cloths in cold water and then place them in the freezer. Offer this to chew on, but supervise and take it away as soon as it thaws.

From a training point of view you must guide your dog towards what behavior you are expecting from her. It would be wrong and unfair to yell at her for chewing at the chair's leg without showing her an alternative behavior. So say you catch her chewing on your shoes, you would tell her ''No, this is mine'' while claiming it, however immediately after ward you will give her a chew toy and tell her, ''Here is your chew toy'' followed by a ''good girl!'' the moment she chews on it.

Now let's talk about toys and chewing deterrents. Yes, Kongs are great toys and even one of the most durable ones,(the most durable one is the black Kong Extreme)but nowadays, they have made some even stronger toys, backed up with a guarantee that they will replace the toy should your dog chew them. In this case, even though your dog would chew, at least you can have your money back or a brand new chew toy.

Worth mentioning are Zogoflex toys produced by West Paw Design. This company is so confident powerful chewers will not destroy their toys that they back them up with a guarantee against destruction! Their Tux is claimed to be their toughest chew toy. Goughnuts may also be worth a try, they are claimed to be ''almost'' indestructible and come with a guarantee as well. These toys are designed with safety in mind since they come with a "Chew Toy Safety Indicator''. Basically, if your dog chews through the outside wear layer up to a point of exposing the underlying indication layer, GoughNuts will replace your toy.

Bully sticks are also a great type of chewing bones that are very durable and can keep your dog busy for several minutes. Best of all, they are a much safer choice than rawhides.

A great way to discourage chewing is to invest in a bottle of bitter apple spray. You can find this online or in pet stores. You simply spray this product on anything you do not want your dog to chew on and the bad taste will deter from chewing. If you pair the bad taste with a firm ''no'' you may obtain even better results. For instance, if you catch you American Bull dog about to chew the furniture you sprayed with bitter apple say ''no'' the moment she is about to chew the item. She will soon learn that if she chews ignoring your warning something unpleasant (the bitter taste) may happen. The great thing about bitter apple spray however is the fact that it works even when you are not around. If you are around though, put your dog up for success by giving an appropriate chew toy the moment she leaves the furniture.

Now, let's discuss about chewing in general. Some dogs resort to chewing when they are not stimulated enough and build up frustration, so make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. There is a saying ''a tired dog, is a good dog'' and this is so true! Do not forget mental stimulation as well, like hiding some treats in the grass or clicker training. These exercises often can be more tiring than a brief walk!

Last but not least, consider crating your dog when you are unable to supervise her, this will prevent her from chewing and will also keep her safe. I hope this has helped, please contact me if you have any further questions, best wishes!