Why a Labradoodle Chews on Things
Most puppies go through a phase in their development which involves chewing. The chewing relieves the painful itching a pup suffers when he’s cutting his adult teeth.
Once their adult teeth are fully erupted (normally around nine months of age), most dogs stop chewing everything they see. A few, however, keep chewing after that age.
A Labradoodle that still chews by the time it’s about one year old is either doing so out of habit due to frustration, boredom or anxiety, or it has acquired a taste for your furniture and other belongings.
No matter what’s causing a Labradoodle to chew, it can be expensive. But more importantly, chewing can be hazardous to your dog’s health.
Someone must catch the dog in the act in order to correct any type of behavior problem, including inappropriate chewing.
Yes, you can show your Labradoodle a shoe he chewed up several hours ago and scold him, but it’s unlikely he’ll make the connection between your scolding and the concept that chewing shoes is bad.
A puppy that’s allowed to roam throughout the house unsupervised might chew on dangerous items like electric cords or the containers of toxic cleaning supplies.
Your yard can be equally hazardous, full of potentially toxic plants and flowers or sticks and stones that might obstruct a dog’s digestive tract.
If your Labradoodle chews and swallows a rock or other sharp object, there’s a good chance he’ll need expensive, dangerous emergency surgery.
There will be times you’re unable to supervise your Labradoodle, but you do need to prevent accidents.
So, while you’re away, confine your Labradoodle to a safe area like a crate and ensure that it only contains appropriate chew toys and bones. Some dogs have choked on rawhide chews and certain toys, so be careful.
If, however, you safely confine your Labradoodle in a crate when you’re unable to supervise him, he won’t be able to chew your furniture and other belongings, and he won’t be able to harm himself by chewing on something unsafe.
You can also “dog-proof” your home by temporarily removing the items you don’t want your dog to chew – you can put them back after he’s over the chewing stage.
A product like Tabasco sauce or Bitter Apple can be applied or sprayed onto your furniture to prevent chewing, but before you do so make sure the product won’t leave a stain.
The vast majority of dogs find these products disgusting, although the rare dog thinks they’re delicious.
Ammonia might be one product that won’t appeal to any Labradoodle – or any other dog, for that matter. Don’t spray any ammonia while your dog is nearby because it could damage his eyes and sense of smell.
Read the instructions carefully before spraying any product onto valuable possessions.
After ensuring they’re safe, give your Labradoodle plenty of chew toys, including dog toys, rawhide chews, knuckle bones, old socks and chew hooves.
Knuckle bones are the only bones that are safe for your Labradoodle to chew on; other bones can splinter and the shards can get stuck in his throat or intestines.
You can teach your Labradoodle to tell the difference between old chew socks and your good socks. Simply play fetch with your dog and an old sock.
He’ll grow fond of the old sock and it will soon start smelling like him. Your good socks will smell like you.
He can distinguish the two smells, and he’ll quickly learn which socks he can chew on if you praise him for chewing the old socks and scold him for chewing your good socks..
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