Why does my dog chewed baseboards

Use positive reinforcement, reward good behavior, and be consistent. Soon, you will not even have to give him treats. He will keep away from your wood trim fixtures on his own. Chewing wood trim is a perfectly natural behavior for dogs. Their mouth is one of their main vehicles for exploring the world around them — this means they lick and give a good chew on things that are new to them.

In their early months, teething puppies chew on anything they can get their mouths around to help relieve the discomfort that comes with erupting teeth. However, dogs are meant to leave destructive chewing as they grow into adulthood. Wood breaks apart very easily. If a big enough piece is swallowed, it can cause digestive blockages or infections that may need surgical intervention.

Take your dog for frequent walks, play games with him and provide toys that require him to work for a reward. Treat separation anxiety. If your dog only chews when you are gone, he chews near the exit to the house, and the behavior is accompanied by barking, whining or howling, frantic running through the house, and even urinating in the home, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety.

This is a complex problem that requires thoughtful work with your dog. Consult your veterinarian, who may be willing to provide a prescription medication to help your dog deal with the separation. This only works if he's chewing on a particular section of the trim -- otherwise, you'll have to spray your whole house.

Vinegar, ammonia, hot pepper mixed with water and even alcohol all work. Or you can get a commercial pet deterrent spray from your local pet store. Rover is not going to chew the baseboard trim if he can't get to it. If the problem is only in one room, you can simply close the door or block the entrance with a baby gate.

Or place a piece of furniture right in front of the chewed-up area so he can't get to it. After a while, he might simply forget about it and focus his attention somewhere else.

Chewing is a natural canine behavior. Those sharp teeth are there for a reason. Chewing also helps dogs clean their teeth and exercise their jaws. Chewing is a great way for dogs to pass the time and amuse themselves. But why do dogs chew such odd things like stinky shoes or the remote control?

The key is thinking like a dog. Those shoes may smell bad to you, but to your dog they are rich in olfactory information and, critically, they smell like you.

So do the remote control and other objects you wear or interact with frequently. But what about wooden table legs or baseboards? It may simply be your dog using the only objects available. A stressed or bored dog needs an outlet and the baseboards are right there at mouth level. Texture may play a role too. Plastic and wood are firm yet likely have enough give for a satisfying chomp. However, destructive chewing, such as around window or door frames, can be a sign of separation anxiety.

The first step in dealing with inappropriate chewing is to provide appropriate alternatives. But throwing a bunch of chew toys on the ground and hoping for the best is not likely to help. Remember to think like a dog.