Why Your Gordon Setter Chews

Chewing is a natural canine behavior. Yep,  a God given talent to chew the pieces out of your new boots, your gun stock, the truck seat, your couch corner, and even the metal wiring or wooden 2X4's of a kennel to satisfy the urge. They aren't real picky.

But don't despair, there are things you can do to detour or stop destructive chewing.

First, you have to figure out why your dog is chewing.

 
If he's a puppy, he is chewing either because he is teething, and/or he his getting to know his surroundings by taste. That includes chewing on his siblings and learning social behavior. If he's chewing something he should not,  it's destructive behavior and should be nipped in the bud before it becomes habit. Which, takes about twice.

If your dog is an adult dog, say, past the age of 3, and is chewing on things he shouldn't, it's most likely out of boredom. Dogs, especially highly intelligent dogs and working breeds, need mental stimulation. They need purpose, a job, to keep their brain stimulated and happy. Chewing is the alternative.

So, what do you do? First, make sure they have plenty of safe chew toys. Keep a variety of shapes and textures available. When your puppy goes through teething, he will chew. If you want to save that favorite pair of boots or antique dresser leg, you better have an alternative when you catch him taking his first bite.

There are many toys these days for chewers. I have found it to be a challenge to keep a dog from eating a toy, if he chooses to, but I guess some of the large Kong balls are pretty tough and work for a lot of dogs. Also the knotted ropes seem to be popular.  Knotted socks and tennis balls. These are all good for puppies. Stuffing old, clean, socks with other old, clean socks and then tying it in a knot works well also.

If you adult dog is chewing, other than on his favorite toy, try to increase his exercise. Either add some big hard running to the routine, or play games that keep him running and jumping to burn off that energy.  Challenge your dog with new training.  Ask him to work by asking him to sit, every time you let him in or out of the house, put him in his kennel, or give him a treat or a toy. All these things together, can be very satisfying to your dog.

 

Personally, we don't like to give our dogs rawhide chew bones unless we are with them while they are eating them. I've heard horror stories about choking and our dogs try to swallow those things whole. So, we give them the big 5" long, 1" wide chew bones. These are too big to finish in one sitting.
 

Just remember, no dog chooses to be BAD. When your dog displays a new unwanted bad behavior, take a look at what could be the cause. He really isn't being bad on purpose, he's just acting out a primal urge. You can change that negative behavior and make him a GOOD DOG.

 A WELL BEHAVED DOG, IS A WELL LOVED DOG.

  
"Sit.... Stay.... Good dog Sport. Good Dog."