Puppy chews up reader’s furniture, shoes and patience
DEAR JOAN >> Last month we adopted a new puppy, Penelope. We call her Penny for short. She is part lab and probably many parts something else. We don’t care about her heritage; we just love her. She is about 6 months old, we think.
Penny has mastered potty training and is learning a few commands, but when it comes to chewing, nothing stops her. She has chewed on the legs of my dining room table, living room chairs and couch, and yesterday, she discovered my favorite shoes. She also has bitten us a few times, too, although I don’t think she meant to.
We’ve tried disciplining her by scolding her and putting her in time out (her crate), and my husband suggested rubbing Bitter Apple on everything, but we think she must like the taste because it hasn’t stopped her at all.
We love Penny, but this chewing is making it hard. What can we do? — Elizabeth G., San Jose DEAR ELIZABETH >> You don’t have a bad Penny; you have a normal puppy.
Just like human babies, puppies go through teething, starting almost from birth and going for about 8 months. So good news, you only have to survive two more months. Then you’ll go through another phase of chewing as the teeth settle into the jaw, which will take another four months or so.
Penny is chewing on everything she can find because her gums hurt and she needs something tough to gnaw on. Get her some chew bones — synthetic rubber ones — that are graded tough enough for puppies.
When you see her chewing on something she shouldn’t, stay calm and tell her “no chewing,” or words to that effect. Then give her the bone.
Puppies can destroy those bones — and your furniture and shoes — amazingly fast, so keep an eye on the chew bone and replace it when it starts looking gnarly. You don’t want her breaking off pieces and swallowing them.
As the need to chew goes away, continue to correct her when she starts chewing something she shouldn’t. In time, she’ll get the message. Labs — even those of mixed heritage — are very smart.
If Penny continues chewing when she’s older, then you need to look at other causes. Adult dogs will chew on objects, including their own paws and tails, because they are bored or stressed.
As for Penny’s biting, I think you’re describing nipping, another common trait in puppies. They have no idea how powerful their jaws are, so they learn through trial and error. When they are very young, if they bite a litter mate too hard, their sibling will yelp and stop playing with them. If they bite Mama too hard when feeding, they end up missing a meal.
They eventually learn what’s too hard, and they learn to adjust their bite. When Penny nips at you, say “Ouch” or “That hurt,” and move away from her for a bit. She’ll learn what’s appropriate and what’s not.
In all these instances, there is no need to raise your voice or punish Penny. Just a few actions and a determined voice are all that is needed.
If you leave Penny at home by herself for periods of time, don’t count on her own willpower. Place your shoes and other objects safely out of reach, or put Penny in her crate with some approved chew toys.