Carpets can quickly become ruined when your dog chews through expensive fibers. Puppies will generally chew on anything when their teeth are developing and hurting their gums. Once their teeth have finally grown through the gums, this behavior may persist because it has become a habit. Chewing may be a sign that your dog is anxious, boarded or not being exercised enough. Therefore, it's important to fix any underlining problems that may be causing your dog to chew up carpet.
Things You'll Need
- Dog toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
- Chew toys
- Chew-Stop for Dogs
Instructions
Check your dog's teeth. Open your dog's mouth to look for red gums that might indicate gingivitis or periodontal disease. Other signs of teeth or gum problems include bad breath, yellow-brown crust near the gumline, and discolored teeth. To keep your dog's mouth healthy, schedule regular teeth-cleaning appointments with your vet and be sure to brush your dog's teeth at home with a specially-made dog toothbrush and toothpaste.
Give your dog chew toys. Place chew toys near the areas of your carpet that your dog likes to chew. Make sure the chew toys are not small enough to get stuck in your dog's throat. As your dog grows, evaluate their toys and take away anything that may be too small for their growing throats. Avoid giving your dog small bones, toys made out of fabric fibers, or small balls.
Spray a specially-made organic spray, like Pets-Organic Chew-Stop for Dogs, on the carpet. The spray is safe for dogs, but will leave a bitter taste in their mouths to discourage them from chewing or licking the carpet. Reapply the spray as needed.
Move your dog's bowl away from the carpet. Small fragments of dog food may have landed outside the bowl on the carpet. Because dogs have a keen sense of smell, they may be trying to lick up any leftover food.
Remove your dog from the room every time they start chewing on the carpet. Your dog may be trying to get attention. Avoid giving them treats or petting as a way of preventing them from chewing the carpet.