Dogs chewing on their stuffed toys is a complaint | Besides hunting genes, lack of exercise is the main cause
Many owners have noticed that their dogs enjoy chewing on stuffed animals, pulling out the cotton inside and even leaving a mess around the house. This behavior isn't just a bad habit; it's a way for dogs to express their needs and emotions. Besides being rooted in their hunting instincts, lack of exercise is a major contributing factor to housewrecking in dogs.
Why do dogs bite dolls?
Dogs' ancestors were hunters, and after biting their prey, they would shake their heads vigorously, tearing the prey's muscles. This behavior is deeply ingrained in their genes. The doll's soft texture and built-in sound device can stimulate dogs' hunting instincts, allowing them to simulate the hunting process and gain psychological satisfaction.
However, most modern pet dogs live indoors, lacking sufficient daily exercise and mental stimulation, and unable to expend their energy through genuine hunting activities. When dogs lack adequate exercise and are unable to fully expend their energy, they are prone to engaging in housebreaking behaviors out of boredom and anxiety, even chewing and damaging household items.
How does lack of exercise affect your dog's behavior?
Different breeds and sizes of dogs have different exercise needs:
- Large dogs (such as Border Collies and Golden Retrievers) need about 2 hours of exercise per day
- Medium-sized dogs are between large and small dogs
- Small dogs need about 1 hour of exercise per day
If a dog's daily exercise time is far less than what it needs, it is easy for it to destroy the house or even bite things continuously, causing great trouble to its owner.
How to improve the behavior of dogs chewing dolls and destroying the house?
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Increase your dog's daily exercise and activity time
Arrange enough walks, runs and interactive games every day to help your dog burn off excess energy and reduce the desire to destroy the house. This is the fundamental way to improve the reasons why dogs destroy the house. -
Provide chew-resistant toys to meet teething needs
Choosing chew toys that are suitable for dogs can effectively divert their attention from chewing and reduce damage to household items. Chew-resistant toys are a common behavior correction tool used by many owners. -
Meet the dog's psychological needs and mental stimulation
In addition to physical exertion, dogs also need mental stimulation. Through treasure hunts, training sessions, or toy interactions, you can reduce your dog's anxious behavior and improve the problem of housebreaking. -
Avoid being alone for long periods of time and increase your time with others
Leaving a dog alone for extended periods of time can exacerbate anxiety and worsen house-destroying behavior. Proper companionship and interaction are crucial for behavior correction.
Conclusion
Dogs' chewing of toys and housebreaking aren't simply bad habits; they're a manifestation of unmet needs. By increasing exercise, providing appropriate chewing toys, and addressing their psychological needs, owners can effectively reduce housebreaking issues, promote their dogs' physical and mental health, and foster a harmonious relationship.