Chewing

[kylebrk]

Piper has started a habit that I'm not sure what to think about. She is obviously in her chewing stage but so far we have done a really good job of keeping her chewing on the things that she's allowed to chew on.

 

Lately, when we are at the office, she has started to chew on her metal cage. She's not chewing on any plastic parts or anything like that, it's all metal. My question is, should I be concerned?

 

I don't want her to damage her teeth but if it won't hurt her than I don't care, it's not like she's going to hurt the metal bars.

 

Can any of the more experienced dog owners speak to this?

 

Thanks.

[Sue R]

What are you giving her to chew on when she is crated? Normally, if a dog has good alternatives when they are crated, they won't chew on the metal.

 

However, some dogs that experience separation anxiety may try to chew/dig their way out of a crate and can damage their teeth or claws, and damage or demolish the crate. You may want to try the search function concerning separation anxiety to see prior topics about that issue.

 

You might want to post more information here about your day, what you are finding, what Piper has to "do" while you are gone, etc., to get better advice and input.

[kylebrk]

She actually comes to the office with me. Piper is left alone at night only when she is in her crate to sleep. She has some chew toys her at the office but she sometimes just prefers to chew on the crate. She has been able to keep her poddy under control lately so I have been letting her out of the crate to roam around the office as she wills. She often comes back to the crate to chew on it from the outside.

 

Maybe I need more chew toys?

[Sue R]

Sounds like she might be teething and really need some good chewing. How about making her chew toys more appealing? That can be by getting her new ones or different types, or it can also be by making her current ones more interesting.

 

To do that, do not give her all her toys all the time. Give her just one at a time and after a while, take it back from her, preferably while she is still somewhat interested in it or at least as soon as she is done with actively chewing on or playing with it. The toys belong to you not her, and you decide when she gets to chew on one. This strategy tends to make toys more desirable to her because they are not just available all the time and therefore somewhat boring.

 

You can also, if you don't embarrass easily or if you have some privacy, get her a little excited about the "new" or next toy she has to chew on by making a bit of a fuss over it. Dogs (and adult people) are rather like kids in wanting what someone else has.

 

Sometimes, chewing on something in particular can simply be a bad habit and, if you are getting control of this right away, you may be avoiding a real problem in the future. It does not sound at all like separation anxiety is an issue here, and that's good.

 

I would also make sure that she is getting a well-balanced diet and is lacking nothing in her diet that could cause or encourage chewing on something odd - "pica" is a name for eating non-food items, and can be related to dietary deficiencies.

 

Best wishes taking care of this problem! Everybody should be lucky enough to be able to have their dogs at work. We would probably have a happier workforce (well, at least those who like dogs).

[bc4ever]

If she's teething and you have a fridge available, wet and freeze some wash cloths. The cold cloth, along with the texture, seems to soothe their gums, and they get a little hydration along with it too. Scooter loved it.

[Chesney's Girl]

If she continues to chew on the crate put some bitter apple on it and see if that deters her from chewing on it. Especially if she has other options for things to chew on.

 

Otherwise I liked good bully sticks and compressed raw hide (the kind that looks somewhat transparent) for puppies that are teething.

[kylebrk]

You guys are amazing. Thanks so much for the ideas. I will be visiting the pet story soon!

 

Thanks again.