Are you one of those pet owners who dreads coming home to find yet more things chewed up by your dog? Do you fear coming home to find that your flowerbeds or vegetable garden have been torn up?
This is absolutely not an unsolvable problem. Please don't doubt that this issue can be addressed and corrected. You first need to understand why your dog is chewing or digging. And there's a pretty good chance that your dog is misbehaving because she is bored.
Folks will often suggest to you that you should get a second dog -- a playmate. This way, the two dogs can play together, keeping each other entertained and busy even when you're not present. Be aware, though, that if this plan backfires, you may come home to find twice as many ruined flowerbeds and chewed shoes.
Alternatively, you can try to ensure that your dog has something to do. You might try placing treats around your yard, or giving special toys to your dog as a form of entertainment. It's not that difficult to find ways of entertaining your dog -- even in your own absence -- that'll keep her out of trouble.
As you're seeking a toy or toys for your dog -- and they are readily and inexpensively available -- remember that the toy must be big enough and sturdy enough not to become a choking hazard. Toys specifically made for dogs are made with this consideration foremost; you are, therefore, better off giving your friend a dog toy rather than some other toy not specifically made for dogs.
Some dogs -- and not always the larger breeds -- are rougher on toys than are others. So as you're investing in dog toys, you're better off buying a sturdy toy even if it costs a little more. In addition to worrying about getting a toy big enough not to choke your dog, you also want a toy that won't break up into smaller pieces that might choke her or get stuck in her stomach.
For even more fun, you can get toys that will permit you to hide a treat inside of it. Extracting the treat will keep your dog occupied for a long while; and if it's hot outside, you can make it a frozen treat that she'll play with until it thaws.
If money is a concern, you can tie together two large socks. This is a toy your dog can chew; and when you're home, the two of you can play tug-of-war together. Your dog will love playing with you and won't care a bit that you didn't spend a fortune on a non-sock toy.
Switching between toys from time to time will help keep your dog interested, as the toys seem fresh to them and less apt to bore. To make the toys even more interesting, you might brush some vegemite or other food-paste on them.
With a little planning and forethought on your part, you can see that your dog has plenty of things with which to entertain herself -- things other than chewing up your shoes or digging up your garden.
Copyright (c) 4loveofdogs.com, 2009-2010