We all know Pit Bulls have strong jaws. And those strong jaws are excellent for destroying pretty much anything you may possess, from your shoes to your couch. Chewing is a behavior often seen in Pitties and can be devastating to your home. I’ve seen chewed carpets and floor molding. I knew a Pittie mix that chewed through drywall. It’s not only expensive to replace damaged items, but the vet bills can be astronomical. And, ingesting non-edibles is dangerous for your dog. The following is how to teach your Pit Bull to stop chewing on your things for your sanity and his safety.
Why Your Pittie Chews Everything
There are a few reasons why your Pittie chews on things. If you have a puppy, it’s possible he is teething. But this does not mean he will grow out of it and you can just ignore the behavior. If he develops the habit while teething, he will continue it once those strong adult teeth have come in. Other common reasons Pitties chew are:
- Boredom – it’s something to do and definitely uses energy.
- It feels good – dogs like the sensation on their gums and it cleans their teeth. They NEED to chew.
- It tastes good – you may not think your leather shoes or stinky socks taste good, but you are not a dog.
- Separation anxiety – if your Pit Bull is destroying things due to separation anxiety, you will need help from a professional dog trainer.
Tips To Stop Your Pit Bull From Chewing
Now that you know some of the reasons they chew, you can help stop the behavior. The following tips will help you curb your Pittie’s chewing problem, no matter his age.
#1 – Trade for Something Appropriate
Whenever you see your Pit Bull going for something he shouldn’t be chewing on, give him a dog-safe chew, toy, etc. instead. This teach your dog, “you can’t have that, but you can have this.” And any time you see him electing to chew on his own toys instead of yours, praise him!
#2 – Exercise
If your Pit Bull is chewing out of boredom, then exercise can help tire her out so she doesn’t feel like she needs to chew.
#3 – Provide Chews
Since dogs need to chew, make sure you are giving your Pittie something to chew on to clean those teeth and massage his gums. Dental chews, bully sticks, and dried fish skin (for those that have allergies) are all great choices.
#4 – Management
The last part is on you. If you know your Pit Bull is still learning to not chew things, don’t leave him unattended somewhere with things he can chew! A crate may be the safest place for him when you are gone. Not just for your things, but for his own safety. Eating non-edible items can be fatal, so crating is the kind thing to do.
