Chewing problem

[WYA4DOGS]

Thanks for your advise. My backyard 100' X 108' is fenced in and I let her out a few times a day specially in the mornings and late afternoon. She spins around that whole yard going about 30 to 40 miles an hours just a zooming. Oh yes I believe she can beat RoadRunner the cartoon on TV. It really worries me thinking she's going to have a massive heart attack one of these days.

She's a mix breed and she looks almost like a whippet. She has a head of a chihuahua and a body of a dachund. She's about 3 or 4 years old and weighs 10 pounds.

I have taken other peoples suggestion to buy her more toys and chew bones. That seems to help some and again she seems to tear them toys a pieces in a day or two. I can't afford to keep buying toys all the time.

I'm doing all I can. If you think of any other ideas please let me know.

Thanks again , Bill

[petpsychologist]

Hi Bill,

it is certainly very good that your dog has the opportunity to run in your backyard. Nevertheless I think it would be good if the two of you could explore some other areas as well. I'm sure your dog wants to smell something new every day. She won't be able to do that in the backyard, I suppose.
So I think it would be very good to go out, maybe you have some nice areas in your neighbourhood (?), grass, fields, woods, or just places, where other dogs have gone before you and so she can collect some information. I think this is essential for a dog.

Whenever i leave home, i put some small treats in a lavatory roll (just the roll without the paper!). One treat my dog gets directly from me and the other two or three i put in the roll - then i close the roll and give it to her. She loves to bite it, to tear it apart and finally finds the treats.
Maybe this would be something interesting for your dog as well. Maybe she realizes that the other stuff she chews or bites has nothing special to offer ...

I hope this is some help for you.

All the best and

nice greetings from Vienna

Michael

[Seravieve]

Id also suggest buying a Kong for her. Bunny and Eli are chewers.. and we have three Kongs (various shapes and sizes) and they are pretty indestructible. They are more expensive than other toys, but they last forever.. so it all evens out in the end. I know people do freeze treats in them or fill them with peanut butter as well..

You'll just have to watch her closer and if she chews something thats not a toy.. you need to let her know.. Not everything on the floor is hers. =) Eli used to think that all socks were his socks...

[Genny]

I haven't read what everyone else said so someone else might have have already told you but I'd get her some more toys to chew on since you said she started this 'after' she chewed her other toy up!

[mruffruff]

When she's chewing on something she shouldn't, give her a toy that she CAN chew on as a trade. Kongs are worth the investment. Or try a cow hoof. They are inexpensive and last a long time. They don't smell very good, though. Nylabones are pretty good, too. I wouldn't give her rawhide, though. It's less expensive than a kong or Nylabone, but they stink, get slimy and can get caught in her throat.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Hmmmm...we have something in common with chewing. I am going through the same thing with my new little chihuahua. He is teething though so hopefully he will outgrow it. What I do is always keep him in the same room as me. I make a game of it by making him run after me. When I get to the room I want to be in I place all his toys all over the floor. When I catch him chewing something he is not suppose to I clap my hands really loud and say NO! He will usually stop look around and go to do it again. I clap again really loud and say NO! Most of the time he stops after the second clap. If he does not I take one of his toys and distract him with it or remove him from the object of his desire. Then he usually leaves whatever the "nonchewable item" was alone. If your home alot just try to get your dog to stay with you as much as you can, even going into the bathroom. This way you are making her get up and move around keeping her occupied but also being able to keep a closer eye on her. Maybe stop buying her stuffed toys. Some dogs don't know the difference and think they can chew anything that is material. The Kong is a good idea, maybe even rubber tug toys that she cannot chew threw. Good luck.