If you want to stop Labrador chewing, you must first realize that chewing is expected and perfectly normal behavior for puppies. They will always want to bite into something, either because they are teething or out of boredom. It’s not about making them stop chewing, it’s about redirecting what they chew. To keep them from chewing on your cushions, shoes or curtains, you need to find lots of other things to keep them entertained.
Why stop chewing labrador
Although a Labrador is still young, many owners seem happy to let their dog free to chew whatever he wants. It’s ordinary, right? Or, at the other extreme, they may yell at their pup, leading to confusion and other behavioral problems. Actually, your answer should be somewhere in the middle, showing the dog that chewing on your stuff is not okay, but there are plenty of alternatives.
How to stop Labrador chewing
When it’s time to stop your Labrador’s chewing behaviors, there are a few things you can do. For starters, don’t hit your dog for any reason or openly scold him. Even if you do get angry, that emotion should not be directed at your pup. That kind of action will confuse them and make it hard for them to understand what they did wrong. Alternatively, you can consider the following actions.
Behavior adjustment: Teach your Labrador to chew the right things instead of trying to get him to stop chewing altogether. So if you see your Labrador puppy has a cushion, replace it with one of his toys, and then praise the dog once he starts lying on the new toy. This will teach your pup that the new item is good and the old one is not.
Keep your Labrador active – Preventing your Labrador from becoming bored is a good way to prevent him from chewing. Even when not teething, a puppy will chew to stay active. It is a form of entertainment for them. Giving them plenty of time to play and exercise is a great way to help avoid this problem. When you are not at home make sure there are stimulating toys that keep them active.
Crate training: Crate training gives your Labrador limited access to the house, which can be an effective way to prevent your pup from going through your things while you’re away. Another way to limit their access is to keep your dog in a single room while you’re away, but the intent will remain the same.
Dislike sprays: For Labrador pups who chew on items like slippers or papers, which they can easily ruin, find a safe, consider spraying with a flavor the dog will avoid, such as lemongrass or bitter apple. They will not take long to associate these elements with that bad taste that will prevent them from chewing them in the future.
Although chewing is totally normal for a Lab, you should never focus on things like yourself or your possessions. If they are, then you need to start focusing them on the alternatives.
To be consistent
In order to properly stop your Labrador chewing, you need to make sure that you remain consistent in your behaviors. You should not allow your dog to chew on old shoes or boots, if he likes to have his clothes close. You shouldn’t give them a stuffed toy and then complain when they don’t realize that not all stuffed animals are okay. As the owner, set strict rules and follow them. Your dog will learn quickly enough and chewing will be much less of a problem.