Does dog chewing deterrent spray really work?
I adopted a 1 1/2 year old chiweenie a month ago and he chews EVERYTHING. Just within the last week, he has discovered chewing electrical chords too. I started to crate him whenever I leave the house, but he will bark and wimper until I get back (which I dont get because he is crate trained! It is not like hes never been in one before!).
I want to be able to leave him by himself for an hour when I go to get groceries without crating him….so I heard that pet stores sell this spray that you use to stop your dog from chewing. Does this stuff actually work? Are there other things that can be used besides the deterrent spray? I heard also that clove oil may work too? Thanks!
I crate him for bed every night and he does have a lot of toys to play with…he plays with all of them and enjoys them, but he is constantly looking for other things to chew. I’m not sure it is separation anxiety because he chews when I am home too!
OH and the reason I dont want to crate him when I am shopping/at work is because when I crate him any other time besides bedtime, he will yip and bark from the moment I leave till the moment I get home. I live in an apartment and I am afraid the neighbors will complain!
By JenVT, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Get a crate and crate him when you can’t supervise him. It is the only sure fire method.
By It's Only Me, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
The spray doesn’t work on every dog. My dog used to lick it off whatever we sprayed it on.
By Brooke, Boxer Fanatic., June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
You don’t need a spray. Crate the dog for that hour. He WILL live. The incidence you have listed is why we crate all of our animals when we are not at the house. If I leave the house for 30 minutes, Dino’s in his crate. Whether he likes it or not.
By Richard, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Might do, might not, the best (and cheapest) way to stop him chewing is by finding out what makes him do it. Sounds like he’s a bit stressed.
Read "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell" and you’ll find out what’s happening and how you can tackle it effectively, without gadgets or chemical warfare.
If you want me to put you in touch with someone local who can help, then please email, but it would mean further costs and everything is in Jan’s book. You’ll just need to be consistent and patient.
By Bells IS Suspended, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Training works…
Are you really considering spraying the whole damn house with that crap? Crate train your dog.
The ONLY thing that I’ve ever used the bitter spray on, was a piece of carpet that my dog picked at when he was a pup. It was a 2 inch piece…NOT THE WHOLE DAMN HOUSE
By Gage, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Yes it does it just depends on what kind you use. Go for the more expensive ones because they work great I had two dogs that chewed things and I used Bitter Apple and they stop chewing on things.
By Lynsey, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
It can work but is different for each individual dog, you could buy some and try it. However at 1 1/2 years of age your dog shouls of grew out of this stage by now. I have a 9 month old pup and he has grew out of this stage by simple training and persistense. Try training your dog to stop this by being persitent, staying firm and using words such as drop, leave etc. The dog will soon associate these words with leaving alone the item he/sheis chewing. Using single words is easier for your dog to learn and always provide him with a treat when then drop the item and stop chewing it. Also tell him bad dog when he is chewing and soon he will associate non chewing as good and rewarding!
By cjrossi, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
It does work – but you need to reapply often. One of them, either bitter apple or bitter lime – I think its lime – has alcohol in it so that’s going to evaporate pretty quick.
I have found the spray not to work on firewood for some reason. My dogs will find sprigs of of wood to chew even freshly sprayed
By YosemiteSam, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
This spray did not work for our dog. But it did for our neighbors dog. The only problem with our friends dog is that she would just find something that they haden’t sprayed it on to chew on. Sooo, I believe that behavior correction would be the most bennificial here. I do realize that some dogs chew more than others but this was not a major problem for us and our border collie/lab. We got her as a puppy so we could stop any bad behavior in its tracks.
If it is Bordom:
1st rule. Always have pleanty of toys and chews down for your dog. It is also important here that they be ones they actually like to chew on and play with. Mix it up too. Put some toys away and put new ones out occasionally.
2nd rule. Do not allow this behavior to occur while you are there. Make sure the dog knows it is NOT okay to chew on anything but his toys/bones. Correct him and put his toy/bone in his mouth.
The other likey option is Seperation Anxiety. I am not as familar with this, but there is some really good information on the webmd link below. Good Luck!
Edit: I just found this info on the web and you may find it useful.
Home Alone Boredom:
If your dog is prone to destructive behavior around the house when you’re not around, there are some steps you can take to get him to become a well-mannered pooch:
1. When you are home, make sure that you do spend time interacting with your dog.
2. When you can, take your dog out of the house for a change of pace and exercise. He may enjoy walks or heading out on errands with you.
3. When you’re not around, leave some doggy treats around the house for your dog to find.
4. If no one is home, leave the television or radio on. The sounds of a human voice will help reduce the monotony and loneliness.
http://dog.lifetips.com/cat/7129/dog-misc-behavior-problems/index.html
By mommy, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Did not work on mine . It worked the first couple of times but not any more .
That too I used the ULTRA BITTER one.
Does he do it when you are around ??
Have you tried giving him , chews , raw hides , and other stuff to chew on when you leave??
For the time being put him in his crate with all his fav toys and , different things that he can chew on .
See how it goes , try crating him even when you are at home around him and give him all his chews to chew on .
Once he learns and knows he has the right things to chew on it should stop
Good luck
By ELIZABETH C, June 3, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Pepper considers bitter apple and Phooey to be condiments…..Yummy table leg!
Get used to crating him for his safety when ever you are not watching him (not just when you leave home).
Many dogs – especially rescues – are in need of attention and will settle for negative attention if that’s the best they can do. For this reason, have no reaction to the bad behavior! As hard as it may be don’t address the bad things he does, pretend it didn’t happen. Start reshaping his behavior by giving him attention when he does good behaviors!
Start counter conditioning the pup with proper chew toys. Purchase a stash of safe chews like: Antlers (real deer antler, love them), Nylabone, Kong (stuff with natural peanut butter), filled beef bones and even raw marrow bones from the meat dept. of the grocery store. For a small dog ask the butcher for 1 inch long small bones, I pay $1.39 a pound. Don’t give them out all at once.
When you want him to occupy himself for a bit give him a chew and make a big deal out of him enjoyment of the chew. "good dog". As he chews, repeat the praise and pet him once-in-a-while to reinforce this as a good thing to do.
If he moves to chew something he shouldn’t, take an approved chew in hand, get his attention with a noise, wait for him to leave or turn away from the thing he shouldn’t chew. Then call him and give him the approved chew. As soon as he chews it tell him he’s a good dog!
Continue to make disapproving noise when he puts his mouth on anything he shouldn’t (I say a sharp "Uh-uh!". Watch and wait for him to comply.
Then reward by giving him a chew that he clearly knows you will be happy with.