How to Get Your Puppy to Stop Chewing if It Likes Bitter Spray

One of the obstacles you need to deal with when you have a puppy is breaking the chewing habit. For some puppies, all you need to do is spray anything the pup shouldn't chew with a bitter spray. Most puppies don't like the taste and will learn not to chew on these objects. However, some don't mind the taste and will keep chewing despite the spray. For these puppies, you must use other methods to stop the chewing.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray bottle with water
  • Coffee can
  • Dried beans
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put away any objects you don't want your puppy to chew on, if you can. Keeping these items out of reach will prevent the puppy from chewing on them. However, this won't stop it from chewing on anything else it finds.

    • 2

      Offer your puppy an appropriate chew toy when you catch it chewing on something it shouldn't. Over time, this teaches the puppy what it can chew on and what it can't.

    • 3

      Give your puppy plenty of attention and supervision. Puppies have a tendency to get into trouble when left alone, because they don't know what to do with themselves. When you supervise the puppy, you can discourage the behavior as it happens.

    • 4

      Fill a spray bottle with water and spray the puppy when it begins to chew on something it shouldn't. Spraying the puppy with water is harmless but distracts it from what it is doing.

    • 5

      Startle the puppy with a sudden, unusual noise. For instance, filling an old coffee can with beans makes a shaker that can distract the puppy. Once the puppy is distracted, revert his attention to a toy or treat instead of chewing.

    • 6

      Use a firm "No" when the puppy does something it shouldn't do.

    • 7

      Offer praise when your puppy doesn't chew on inappropriate objects or you effectively distract it from the behavior. Puppies are pack animals and strive to please their master. Positive reinforcement works well with puppies.