Author: Alvin Toh
Chewing is a common problem in all dogs. Your Maltese is
chewing because he may be bored, lonely or stressed. If you
have a Maltese puppy that chews, he could be teething.
Here are some training tips on how to stop your Maltese
from chewing.
1. If chewing is a problem for your Maltese, keep him in a
restricted area when not under your supervision. If you are
not able to keep an eye on your dog, place him in a crate
and provide him with chew toys. Do not let him roam freely
in your house until he's been trained not to chew.
2. Use deterrents such as bitter spray or cayenne pepper on
table legs, wooden furniture and carpet to discourage your
Maltese from chewing. They are ideal for items that you
cannot keep out of reach from your dog. You will still need
to provide toys for your dog to chew. Do not give an old
shoe or furniture. Otherwise, your dog may think that it is
ok to chew on similar items.
3. When you catch your Maltese chewing, tell him 'NO'
firmly and give him a chew toy instead. Praise him
enthusiastically when he chews on the toy. You must only
correct him when you catch him in the act.
4. Give your Maltese a variety of chew toys to keep him
occupied. Each week, alternate his toys so he has something
different to play with.
5. If your Maltese is chewing because he is bored or
lonely, make sure he gets plenty of physical and mental
exercise. You are more likely to have a well-behaved,
healthy and happy dog. Bring him for a long walk, a run or
play with him. In addition to obedience and behaviour
training, teach your dog new tricks. He enjoys learning
them if you praise or reward him with his favourite treats.
Exercise can also help to relieve tension and overcome
boredom in your dog, thereby preventing most behaviour
problems.
6. If you take time to puppy proof your home, there is less
chance of your Maltese finding valuable things to chew.
Keep hazardous items such as electric cords, chemicals,
sharp objects and poisonous house plants out of reach from
your dog. Besides training your Maltese to stop chewing,
you are also preventing potential accidents from happening
to him.
It takes time, patience and consistency to train your
Maltese from chewing. If you find a method that works,
apply it consistently in your Maltese training. If none of
the above methods work, you may want to consider using an
anti-bark collar.
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Do you own a Maltese or Shih Tzu? Get free tips on Maltese
and Shih Tzu training at
http://www.maltesedogtips.com/art-chew
