Why is your dog chewing the rug when he has so many toys to gnaw at his disposal? After all, dogs love to chew, and you have provided her with enough toys for several dogs, and yet your rug seems to be your dog’s favourite thing to chew. Well, rest assured, we’re here to help you with this problem.
We will analyse why this behaviour should be taken seriously, as it can be harmful to your dog. We will then see why your dog may be chewing the carpet and some tips to prevent this behaviour from occurring.
We also provide some tips on how you can prevent your dog from chewing the rug or carpet.
Dangers
Perhaps one of your primary concerns is the damage to the expensive carpet, but your dog has safety reasons because of chewing behaviour.
- Pulled tissue can get stuck in your dog’s throat, causing asphyxia.
- The material can lodge in your dog’s stomach or intestines, leading to infections or serious internal injuries.
- Yarn or tissues can get stuck in your dog’s teeth, which can lead to infection.
If you suspect that your dog has swallowed part of your rug and hasn’t yet vomited, take it to the vet immediately, especially if your dog has lost its appetite.
Now we will see eight reasons why your dog may be chewing his rug and some ideas to prevent this behaviour.
Reasons why dogs chew their rug
- Puppy dentures
Puppies tend to explore and obtain information from the world around them by putting everything in their mouths. They will chew everything and everyone who can put their teeth also during teething. Teething is when puppies begin to lose their teeth to make room for adult teeth, and, unfortunately, this process causes pain. Pain gives puppies the desire to chew things to help relieve them. Teething usually begins around three weeks of age and lasts until your puppy reaches six months of age.
Tip: Giving your dog something frozen or cold to chew can help relieve the pain of teething a little. Wetting a towel and freezing it is a good option (be sure to supervise your puppy because you don’t want him to chew and swallow pieces of it accidentally).
Special pup biting toys, like this one, can be used to move your puppy away from the carpet. Say no to your puppy firmly when you catch them chewing something they should be eating, and immediately give them the chewing toy and praise them when they catch it.
- Separation Anxiety.
When a dog is left alone for a long time throughout the day, it may feel separation anxiety, leading to many destructive behaviours, including biting the carpet. Other signs of separation anxiety may include walking from side to side, barking excessively, howling, digging, trying to escape, urinating, and defecating indoors.
Tip: For light separation anxiety, using a KONG stuffed with peanut butter or something like a frozen banana can help your dog adjust to when you leave home. The longer your dog takes to dig up the food, the longer it will be distracted.
Placing your dog in a box can help protect him from getting hurt unless you suspect that this is causing even more anxiety in your dog.
Consult your veterinarian for medicines or any other concerns you may have regarding your dog’s anxiety and destructive behaviour.
- Early weaning
If a dog is removed from its very young mother (usually before 7 or 8 weeks of age), some dogs will start sucking, chewing and licking the tissues.
Tip: You can try the same training technique mentioned earlier with the “tip” of the puppy’s teeth.
This behaviour can quickly become compulsive, and you may want to consider seeking help from a Behavioural Specialist.
- Magpie
Pica is a condition in which dogs develop a compulsion to eat non-food items, including carpets. Some dogs may try to eat only one type of non-food object or try to eat anything they can wrap in their mouth.
Tip: Sting can be an underlying medical condition or a behavioural problem. Consult your veterinarian can help determine the cause of your dog eating inappropriate items, and the treatment will depend on why your dog has developed cock.
Ensuring that your dog has a proper diet, exercise, and mental stimulation are factors in preventing cock.
- Stress
A dog that is frustrated and stressed can sometimes have bad chewing behaviour. This type of stress can result from extreme provocations or rough games of children (or adults) and harassment of other animals. It can also occur when they cannot participate in an activity that excites them (not being allowed to pursue a squirrel, for example).
Tips:
If you can predict when your dog may feel frustrated, redirect him to a toy that he can chew.
Making changes to your home or routine can help prevent some of the most stressful situations.
Consult a Behavioural Specialist if you are not sure how to help your dog.
- Insufficient exercise and boredom
A dog that is bored and does not do enough exercise sometimes resorts to chewing to have fun.
Tip: This is a self-evident answer. Be sure to give your dog enough physical exercise. Many walks, allowing your dog the opportunity to visit canine parks so that he can play with other dogs, and many opportunities to play.
Give your dog meals in a food puzzle bowl as a way to mentally occupy him.
Try exciting new toys, such as a dog puzzle.
- The rug smells good.
Maybe something with a tasty smell fell on the carpet, and your dog is chewing because he’s hungry or can’t resist the smell.
Tip: You can use a repellent spray in the problem area of the carpet so that your dog is no longer attracted to this place.
You can also make your vinegar, alcohol or ammonia spray mixed with water.
- Typical Chewing Behaviour.
Some dogs are likely to chew things without medical or behavioural problems. Chewing for hours can help strengthen your jaws and keep your teeth clean.
Tip: Using a repellent like this every time you see your dog chewing the carpet and praising it when it stops will help you understand and prevent destructive chewing.
Redirect your dog to something he should chew and praise him when he picks up the treat.
If you can’t supervise your dog, consider putting it in a dog crate
To prevent
Do not punish or rebuke your dog, physically or verbally, because he will not remember what he did wrong, even immediately after the event.
Do not keep your dog’s mouth closed or with duct tape; it is abuse, and she won’t learn anything from it.
Don’t put a muzzle on your dog to prevent chewing because he won’t learn anything.
Your dog should not be left in a box for more than 6 hours to prevent him from chewing his rug.
If you tried to contain your dog’s chewing using these tips and it’s still a problem, you should talk to a canine behaviour specialist and your veterinarian if there is an underlying problem. Lots of love, patience and training should usually work, and, fortunately, you can get out of this with a happy dog and a recovered carpet.