Anxiety, boredom, loneliness, and insufficient exercise can increase your dogs need to chew, and if the chewing relieves the stress, it is likely to be repeated again and again.

Because the reasons for chewing are so diverse, it should be considered a sign or symptom of some underlying motivation. It’s important to understand why your poodle is chewing before you attempt to change the behavior.

Play-Related Chewing

Remember, puppies learn about their environment by mouthing and chewing on objects. This chewing behavior escalates during teething between 4 to 6 months of age.

Puppies should be acclimated to a crate from the first day in her new home. A crate is helpful for house-training and limits your puppy’s access to valuable or dangerous items, while allowing her to rest and chew on appropriate toys. Consider using a crate or other restricted area until your puppy is 2 years old.

Anxiety-Related Chewing

Unlike, play related chewing in puppies (which can happen whether you’re home or not), anxiety related destruction happens when your dog is alone. In a frenzied effort to find her owner, the dog will dig and chew at doors and windowsills.

Dogs who are severely upset and feel abandoned when their owners leave have Separation Anxiety. In most cases, the dog will whine or bark, dig, and even urinate or defecate within minutes when left alone.

A poodle that suffers from Thunder Phobia, can cause dramatic damage to your house on stormy days. A dog with thunder phobia may also develop fears to a variety of other noises.

Anxiety related chewing is treated by addressing the anxiety. If you suspect this is the reason for your poodles destructive chewing, ask your veterinarian for help. Anti-anxiety medication and a behavior modification program will help your dog feel less stress and react more calmly to being left alone.

Because a poodle with Separation Anxiety or Thunder Phobia is already stressed, punishment or confinement may make matters worse, by increasing the dogs anxiety.

Excessive Chewing Or Licking Of Self

Licking or chewing that results in hair loss, sores, or redness can be caused by a health problem or can lead to health problems. Parasitic infection, matted fur, food allergies, or anxiety can cause excessive licking and chewing.

See your veterinarian, there are medications which are helpful to reduce the need to chew or lick. If your veterinarian suspects a food allergy, he will recommend a non-allergic dog food.

If the licking and chewing is not caused by a health problem then it is most likely from anxiety. If your poodle is shy, introverted, or is quick to go into submission, he may be turning his attention inward. Mouthing, chewing, or licking are methods he uses to relieve stress.

Correcting Chewing Behavior

To correct inappropriate chewing behavior, your poodle will need a variety of safe chew toys and a crate or other confined area for when he cannot be supervised.

When you see your poodle pick up or chew an inappropriate object, redirect his attention and offer him one of his chew toys. Do not punish him for inappropriate chewing, a firm NO in your regular tone of voice will do.

Praise your poodle for chewing appropriate items so she will learn the correct behavior.

Confine your poodle to a chew proof area when you cannot supervise her. Leave her a toy to chew on. A crate is the safest place for your dog when alone, as long as she is not confined to the crate for excessively long periods of time. If you confine her to a small room or area, you may have to treat cabinets and furniture with a repellant, like Bitter Apple, and make sure electrical cords are inaccessible.

Spend time with your dog, giving him lots of play time and exercise, especially if he is left alone for long periods of time.

Gradually, give your dog unsupervised freedom. Check on her often. Slowly increase the amount of time she is left alone. If the destructive chewing resumes, back up and try not to get discouraged.

Related Posts:

• Biting, Snapping & Aggressive Behavior
• Set Rules for your Poodle
• Fear is Hardest Dog Behavior Problem to Solve
• Treating Canine Separation Anxiety
• Canine Separation Anxiety