Puppies are very energetic and curious. Much like babies, puppies love to explore the world around them and don’t always know whether the things they’re about to do are safe for them or for their human’s belongings. In addition, puppies have a teething stage that can last from a few months to a year. Teething puppies alleviate the discomfort they feel by chewing on things, be it a dog toy, a slipper, or your favorite table’s legs.
The following are some steps you can take to keep your new puppy and your belongings safe.
Exercise your puppy
Apart from relieving teething pain, puppies chew on furniture because they’re bored. However, chewing furniture, particularly wood, not only damages it, but can also cause splinters to lodge into your puppy’s mouth and esophagus.
To stave off its boredom, make sure to adequately exercise your new puppy by taking it on daily walks and playing with it. Dog toys can be used to distract your puppy from chewing on anything it’s not supposed to, and can keep it amused for hours.
Use furniture covers
If you don’t like dog hair on your couch, protective couch covers can be purchased from many retailers. Note that the reason why your puppy loves sleeping on the couch is because it’s comfortable. Make sure your new puppy has its own place to sleep by purchasing floor pillows or a dog bed.
Try a deterrent spray
Many pet supplies retailers sell a spray specifically designed to stop dogs from chewing on furniture. Choose a spray that is made of non-toxic ingredients that won’t harm your dog. These sprays don’t normally stain furniture, but spot-test first just in case.
Train your puppy
Your puppy might exhibit destructive behavior simply because it lacks training. If your new puppy suffers from separation anxiety, it might act out by chewing on furniture. If it’s not potty-trained, it’s likely to urinate or defecate indoors and damage your floors. If it doesn’t know the command “Off,” it won’t know when to get down from the couch.
New puppy owners should consider consulting a dog trainer who can help them understand the causes of their puppies’ behavior and learn to manage them through positive training techniques.
Hi, I’m Scott Jay Abraham, an interior designer and proud owner of a dachschund. For more discussions on dog-proofing homes, please like my Facebook page.
Scott Jay Abraham 