Dogs chew up the strangest things - Why?

Dogs chew up and swallow watches, doormats, shoes, underwear, socks glasses, blades, door jambs (that was my dog’s specialty… he chewed up door jambs to naught, whenever he could reach them), all things bright and beautiful, including plastics, sashes, ribbons, pompoms, (as many of my friends have told me), crayons, lipstick, cushions and children’s toys. 

The lovable Lab in “Marley and Me” pounced on the beautiful gold chain meant for Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) and swallowed it before  she could touch it… Remember?

 The items sound like entries in a shopping list…. Strange but true…. So many dogs chew up the strangest of things….All this is sometimes funny, sometimes not so funny and many times endangering the pets’ lives…But why do dogs have this compulsive urge to chew?

 Starting off the habit, as puppies, when they are teething, dogs continue to chew for various reasons.  It may be separation anxiety (being away from his mother), the fear of thunderstorms, plain hunger, lack of exercise, boredom, or perpetual undernourishment.  Make sure that these reasons become non-existent for your dog, if you want him to stop chewing his way through life!

 Here are some tips to help you help him get rid of the habit…. 

1. Give him many chewy toys
2. Keep the things you do not want him to chew, safely out of his reach
3. When you see him chew the wrong item, shake your head and say “No!” firmly and loudly; if he is the ‘listening and obeying’ type… this should work.
4. Spend quality time with your dog; do not leave him alone for hours on end
5. Leave him alone only of you are doubly sure he is not uncomfortable.  For instance, if you feel he becomes restless during thunderstorms, then stay by his side until the weather improves.
6. Reassure him of your presence and express affection by patting or just talking to him in a low tone 
7. See that he gets his daily dose of brisk exercise.
8. Spray bitter apple (available in pet stores) on the things he loves to chew, but you wish he didn’t.
9. You can also spray these available right at home
10. • Hot pepper sauce
    • Vinegar
    • Mustard
    • Alum mixed with water
11. Speak to the vet about the dog’s diet.  Make the necessary changes, he suggests, to provide the dog a more nutritious meal