Teach pup what to chew, what to eschew

A couple of weeks ago I answered a lady's question about her puppy's biting and chewing. The flood of subsequent e-mails and phone calls about that column seemed to present even more questions, so here are some more definitive answers you can really sink your teeth into.

One thing is certain: All puppies chew, so you have to expect it, and you must learn the difference between play biting and potentially aggressive behavior. Puppies put almost everything they can in their mouths. That includes everything from dangerous things like buttons and paper clips to "ouchies" like your fingers and arms.

They will nibble on almost anything. It is part of the learning process. What is it? What does it smell like? What does it feel like? They chew because they are curious or bored, have unreleased energy, want to play, or are hungry. And above all, they chew because they are teething -- a process that sometimes seems endless because puppies get two sets of teeth over a nine-month period.

It's how you deal with chewing that will determine whether or not this is a phase that will pass or a problem that will become a habitual nightmare. Your job as a puppy parent is to teach your little one what is OK to chew and what isn't. Don't make the mistake of thinking your puppy will grow out of his passion for chewing. Puppies don't grow out of problems -- they grow into them.

In my book, there are three phases to nibbling pups: 1) the Curiosity Phase -- from the beginning, including the eruption of baby teeth at about 4 weeks of age; 2) the Permanent Teething Phase -- starts at about 2 to 3 months of age and continues to about 9 months; and 3) the Oooops! It's a Habit Phase! (This one you can avoid by dealing with Nos. 1 and 2 properly.)

So let me get specific. Make sure your puppy has plenty of acceptable things to chew on -- not old, discarded people things like worn-out shoes, but safe, healthy puppy things like nylon bones that won't crack or splinter and tough safe toys like the Kong Biscuit Ball. Make sure they are always accessible to your pup wherever he spends his time. One toy is not enough. Choices prevent boredom. Too many choices can cause confusion. Include items that soothe tender, irritated gums like ice cubes and frozen washcloths.

Don't leave temptation lying around. One lady called almost in tears because her new $700 handbag had been chewed to pieces. When I asked where it was, she said she had put it on the floor in the breakfast room while she read the mail and forgot it. Not the puppy's problem. Turn your back for a second, and your pup can chew a purse, pull a lamp off a table or stick his tongue in an electrical outlet. And whose fault will that be?

Confine your pup when you are away. Puppies are resourceful, and you will be amazed at the mischief they can get into when left unattended. Use a puppy gate to confine your little one to a kitchen or family-room area where there is a safe, hard-surface floor. If you are crate training, make sure the crate is large enough, and do not leave your puppy in the crate without a break for longer than four hours. This is essential to a successful housebreaking program as well.

Qualified training with proper correction is essential. Correction is a key element of the learning process and communication. When done correctly, your dog quickly learns what is OK and what is not. Proper correction means that you are correcting your dog based on his personality or temperament and whether he is a toy breed or larger. Remember, Uncle Matty says, "One size does not fit all when it comes to dog training."

It is never OK to yell at your dog, swat him or swat at him. Yelling and hitting are not training tools, and they will only cause your dog to be afraid of you. A dog that is treated abusively (and yelling and hitting are forms of abuse) can and probably will eventually develop aggressive behavior. For help, hire a real professional, or consult some authoritative books and videos. Don't guess your way through your puppy's behavior. Try my best seller "I Just Got a Puppy, What Do I Do?"

Woof!

--Uncle Matty

Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Send your questions to dearuncle.gazetteunclematty.com or mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. ? Creators Syndicate Inc.

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