How can I stop my 1.5 year old female boxer from chewing everything around our house?

She is particularly bad about chewing on things when she is put outside. She eats our plants (prefers flowers) and just today she ripped up a cushion on one of our patio furniture chairs. I purchased some bitter spray (rosemary) from PetsSmart but it doesn't seem to work. We give her chew toys but it seems she would rather chew other things. She seems to exhibit this behavior when she is left alone outside in our yard. When I bring her inside she is less likely to chew on things but I can't have a dog that lives inside exclusively.
How can I stop my 1.5 year old female boxer from chewing everything around our house?
You would need to spend time on teaching her what's ok to chew. Dogs like to chew stuff(and come on, you have a boxer); it's their way of releasing stress. The best way to do it is whenever you catch her chewing stuff that you don't want her to chew, say "No" in a deep, low tone voice. Many owners make the mistake of screaming to the dog, ignoring the fact the screaming(higer tone voice) actually make the dog excited. Lower tone voice is dog's natural way of saying "you have stepped over the line". When your boxer is chewing her chew toy, pet an praise her with a higher pitch voice. The catch of this method is you really need to catch every single time she is chewing the right or wrong thing, or else she will get confused.

So there is the text book way, here is what I did. I needed to go to work, and I had no time to sit next to my dog for the whole day. I gave her the "Kong" chew toy(you can buy it from petco). I packed it with peanut butter and biscuits tightly, so that my dog would need to spend the whole day digging them out. I also played catch with my dog with chew toys that were made of cloth. When he caught them, he would be really excited and keep chewing the chew toy. Overtime, you dog would like to chew stuff that are made of soft plastic(like the kong), and the cloth-made chew toys. This is because everytime she chews those stuff, it brings good feeling of "eatting peanut butter" and "playing catch".
Reply:Dogs need to be supervised until they really learn what is okay to chew on and what isn't. When she can't be supervised, she needs to be placed somewhere where she can't get at things she's not allowed to chew. It's really that simple. To a dog, the entire world is a chew toy. Unless you catch her in the act of doing it and offer her an alternative to what she's chewing on, she'll never understand that.



Ditto above all the reasons dogs chew. Increase exercise, buy her puzzle toys that stimulate her brain, supervise her more, don't just toss her somewhere and forget about her.
Reply:what you probably need to do is carry your dog in front of the flowers or the other things she chew on and put her nose to it and slap her on her butt or back leg while telling her "NO" at the same time, you would have to do everytime she chews on thing, for it will take a while before she gets the idea. that is what i did with my dog who loved to chew on my SHOES and now she does not do that anymore (Thank God), b/c i could not afford to keep on buying new shoes all the time.
Reply:Is your puppy like a human baby?



Absolutely so! Just as you would care for a baby at your house, so should you care for your puppy. There are lots of things you should take into consideration, even if you don't think they are important, they really are......



Here are several tips, and methods you can consider doing to help grow a positive relationship between you and your puppy.







'Don't give your puppy an old sock or shoe to chew on.



Puppies can't determine between new and old.'







By giving your puppy objects that resemble items you do not want them to chew on, you will be encouraging this behavior that much more.







Young puppies will chew on whatever they can get their mouths on for mulitiple reasons-







*They are bored and want to play.



Without you there, life for your dog just isn't too entertaining. So they make do with your stuff, and you aren't there to correct them. A dog does not differentiate between a remote control and a chew toy. Both are chew toys to them. What they do know is that you react in an unpleasant manner when it's the remote control and remain calm when they goes for the chew toy. So, naturally, they'll wait until you're gone before tasting the forbidden fruit!







*They have a lot of energy and it needs to go somewhere!



Exercise is very important for all dogs. Certain breeds need more than others depending on the characteristics of that breed. Take time to exercise your dog frequently. Use this as quality time between the two of you. Have family members share in the responsibility. Others have used this as their exercise time as well, and have steady walking routines with their dogs as a personal weight management tool.







*They are teething and are relieving the pressure.



Not unlike their wild dog family, domestic dogs are first nourished from their mothers in the form of milk, and sucking at this stage has two advantages. One, a lack of teeth makes it easier for the pup to create the vacuum needed to get milk from the mother. Two, toothless gums pose less of a threat to delicate nipples, a real plus because infected nipples can lead to infected milk glands (mastitis) and undermine the health of both the mother and the pup.



As the baby puppy teeth grow in and mature, they make the gradual transition from milk to solid food and experience the behavioral changes that go with that. Instead of sucking, they pick things up and carry them around, chew on their mothers' ears and tails, jump on their littermates and grab them by the neck. Mastering these gentler mouthy behaviors later enables adult animals to carry objects (including their own pups), play, and mate without harming the objects of their attention.







*They are just curious and exploring.



Puppies will learn through their mouths. as this is their tool for receiving information about the world around them. They explore by taste and texture. In addition, a puppy may chew around teething time. By nature they are inclined to use their mouths whenever they can. With proper owner guidance, though, many dogs learn to use chewing not only to relieve stress, but also just to enjoy themselves, the same way we humans might sip a relaxing cup of coffee. Certain breeds seem predisposed to chewing (Labrador retrievers, for instance)







When your dog leisurely chews with that faraway look in their eyes, could the activity evoke ancient memories of the wild dog gnawing on a choice morsel with their pack mates? Or could the chewing remind them of the times they chewed the mother's tail after nursing? Better yet, could they be pondering how much fun they had playing fetch with the owner that morning?







*They are experiencing Separation Anxiety.



Each day when you come home, you make a mental record of the destruction...today they chewed the remote control into a gnarled piece of plastic, and there's a bite out of your slippers. And the list just keeps getting longer and longer. Why is your normally happy and obedient dog pulling this Jekyll-and-Hyde routine?







Separation anxiety is another serious cause behind chewing. Highly dependant dogs may feel abandoned when their owners are away, and may chew when alone to relieve anxiety and stress. Chew marks near doors indicate "barrier frustration," in which the dog is trying to break through the barrier to find his way to you. Dogs that chew as a result of separation anxiety often show other signs of this condition. They may follow you from room to room, shadowing you excessively. greet you in an over-exuberant way when you return after being gone, and sometimes vocalize, or will nonstop howl, bark, chew destructively, and may even urinate or defecate when separated from you. Some dogs with separation anxiety panic when they are unable to follow their owners around from room to room. If you suspect separation anxiety to be the cause of your dog's problem, contact your local veterinarian. You may need to institute an independence program to modify the behavior.







Before you leave, try adding your scent into your dog's toys. Rub the bone or toys between your hands and give it to your pup as you are leaving. Be sure and exercise your puppy to help relieve boredom and burn off energy - two factors that lead to destructive chewing. Make your exit of low importance key to help avoid separation anxiety.







Can most destructive chewing behavior can be prevented and/or controlled?



Yes, through patience, proper training, and repeated lessons with you as the teacher.







You can help prevent problem chewing by directing your pup's chewing inclination toward "good" objects, by following these simple guidelines:







Just like a human baby, you will need to "puppy-proof" the area you will be keeping the puppy in. If at all possible, remove all items your puppy could possibly chew on. This can include socks, shoes, furniture, plants, electrical cords, pictures, knick-knacks, collectibles, etc. from anywhere in which you keep your puppy. Use tape or child prevention electrical plug covers over electrical outlets.







Using a crate for training can be a great asset at this stage of the game.



Giving your puppy free run of the house while you are away is an invitation for destructive chewing by your puppy. Remember, just like a baby, puppies learn about the world through their mouths, and your house is the classroom.



Keep them in the area you puppy-proof. If they are allowed out of the area, you should be there to supervise them directly.







Always know where your puppy is, and what they are doing....Always!







Give your puppy plenty of chew toys. The focus of your puppies chewing behavior should be directed toward these items you select. There are many items to choose from, including Gumabone and Nylabone-type products. Rawhide bones, especially high quality varieties satisfy more than just chewing urges. There are also many safe, long-lasting chew toys that are made especially for teething puppies that will keep them occupied and content for hours. Examples would be knotted rawhide, compressed rawhide and durable rubber teething products ie: Kong toys, that satisfy your puppy's need for chewing and add gum stimulation. The items shouldn't be similar things you don't want your puppy to chew. Remember, your puppy can't tell the difference between your new shoes and an old pair.











Be throrough, consistent and correct chewing of inappropriate objects.



For this to work, you must cattch your puppy in the act. If you catch your puppy chewing on "bad" items remove the item immediately and give them a "good"chew toy. When the puppy takes the good toy, praise them lavishly for doing so.







Always reinforce desired behavior with praise.







Is there anything else I can do?



You can also teach the puppy to ignore "bad" items. if they are always chewing the wrong things. You will need to set aside some quality time here. Place "bad" objects on the floor along with your puppies "good" toys and then act like you are not watching or paying attention.



At the precise moment they start to mouth one of the "bad"items, in a stern voice, correct the with a firm 'No!' and point out the correct "good" item. Soon enough they will learn they can only have the "good" items when you are present.



After this has been accomplished, you will need to leave the area for short periods of time, a good starting number would be one to two minutes. When you suddenly appear from nowhere, see what they are playing with, and you may catch them red-handed. The is the only time corrective action should be taken. Correct the puppy again, and give them a "good" item, praising when it is accepted. If your puppy continues to chew on "bad" items while you are away, further sessions like this may be needed, or else you will have to crate or confine your puppy when you are away. When successful, you will have removed a major stumbling block in developing a healthy relationship between you and your puppy.







If needed, you can spray or treat the '"bad" items with a chew deterrent like Grannick's Bitter Apple or Chew Stop that will give it a very bad taste. In the case of furniture, you can rub bath soap on the legs of the furniture as a deterrent.







Have a battery of 15-20 toys at the ready. Only give your dog 5 toys at a time, and rotate the others in and out on a daily basis, or every other day. This keeps the interest in the toys, and the dogs sees something new every so often.

Puppies or Babies?

WHY DOES MY DOG CHEW ON ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING????

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Chewing behavior

"Life is like a dog sled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes."
Reply:most dogs chew because of bordom. which explains why she chews out side or when shes alone. my dog used to hate regular toys but loved rope toys. we found this out because we took her to petsmart after we noticed her chewing on other things we didnt buy her to chew on. so we let her walk around and bought her the toys she picked up. you should try it. it might help. =)
Reply:there is a spry called bitter lime or bitter apple ( apple works better). You can spray on anything really, it won't harm it. It doesn't harm the dog it just gives them a bad taste that they wont like.
Reply:Your dog appears to be suffering from separation anxiety. She probably was not properly crate trained . In the wild when a mother dog leaves the puppies it leaves them in a den until she gets back. Dogs still have the natural instincts even if they are living in a modern world. Some are better at adjusting then others. It also depends on how old they were when taken from the mother , too early will be a problem. The answer is buy a big crate, put a blanket or something over the top ,this will calm the dog. It will also give her her own space, we have our own space. When not in use. leave the door open so she can go in it and lie down if she chooses to, this is her bedroom.When she is alone put her in it when you go out and shut the door, she might object at first. Let her, you need to be the one in control to calm her anxiety. Also your dog needs to be dominated, they feel safe and happy when they are dominated. My dogs never chew anything, and its because they feel safe, have their own space and feel dominated. If a larger dog, take the leash and stand over her shoulders, hold her in that position under you. Make her stay there until she stops struggling, hold her in that position for a few minutes, then praise her and tell her she is good ,etc. If she is not too too big,lol. that will establish you are the dominate one in control. Small dog, get down on your knees on the floor, feet under you. Take the dog put her on her side on your lap facing away from you. Slowly slide her down your legs to the floor, hold her in that position for a few minutes until she stops struggling, when she stops struggling, praise her and tell her she is good, and release her. These actions may need repeated. This will solve your chewing problems. No anxiety, no chewing. Still however give the toys. Oh and never!!!, never!!! use the crate as punishment for bad behavior. Some people think using a crate is cruel, it is far from cruel, it goes with their natural instincts for survival and group psychology.
Reply:give her lots of dog toys if she starts chewing on something that she can not chew on hand her a dog toy that she can chew on
Reply:Your dog is bored out of her mind!...take her for a 45 min or so walk every day (not in the heat of the day....108 here in Texas)....a tired dog is not a destructive dog....also get a treat ball (the kind she will have to roll around to get the treat to fall out) and fill it with treats or dog food...have her work for her meal!....good answers to those who said supervise her outdoor time.
Reply:She is still a puppy, and puppy's chew. Sort of like young children, when you get them something, they play with the box....

I would suggest a chew toy like a rawhide bone from a store, or just a stick that you play with them with for a while so that they claim as theirs. (Take away, throw, take away, fetch, etc.)

As far as furniture, a pepper spray? Or something that won't smell but tastes yucky, like dish soap sprayed on. Keep up with the training, and be consistent. Good luck.
Reply:I SUGGEST YOU KNOCK HER TEETH OUT I BET SHE THINK TWICE B 4 SHE DO IT AGAIN OR SAND THEM DOWN OR JUST KEEP HER OUT OF THE HOUSE GOOD LUCK DIS SHAKESUMTIN AND IM OUT

DAMN HUNTER IS IT DAT SERIOUS FOR ALL THAT YOU PUT FOR THE ANSWER :)
Reply:Punch her, then bite her ear
Reply:A lot of the ideas being expressed here are great ideas for other breeds of dogs, but every breed is different, and boxers are in a class by themselves and most of these ideas simply won't work with your boxer.



As a boxer owner and breeder, I can tell you that a boxer was probably the wrong choice of dogs for your home.



Boxers do not mature as quickly as other dogs. You will not start to see her begin to mature until she is about two years old, where most dogs are pretty much mature at a year old. Boxers often exhibit bad behavior, as a form of retaliation, or pouting.



Boxers are EXTREMELY sociable dogs. They are best described as children. For their entire life they will tend to behave like children. Boxers cannot tolerate being excluded from the every day happenings of their owners. This is probably the biggest reason for her destructive behavior. Also, boxers are not "outside" dogs. Many people believe that since they are big they will do fine out doors. Boxers physically cannot take extended periods of outdoors, especially if you live where it gets hot. Because of their box shaped muzzle, they are not able to cool themselves properly, this will cause health problems.



If you cannot have a dog that lives inside exclusively, you really need to consider giving her up for adoption. The behavior is not going to cure itself. Boxers need constant attention and affection. If you feel you have no options, or consider taking her to the pound, please contact me first. I will try to help you do what is best for her. I will adopt her if at all possible.
Reply:Give the dog sleeping pills and when it's out use a wrench and pull it's teeth all out.
Reply:I'd suggest supervising her outdoors, instead of putting her out alone. She is probably chewing things up out of anxiety or boredom, due to being left alone.

Perhaps consider getting her a doggy friend to play with, that way she'll be less likely to turn destructive when left alone.
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