How to Keep English Cream Golden Retriever From Chewing Furniture

How to keep English Cream Golden Retriever from chewing furniture? If you’re reading this, chances are you’re the proud parent of an adorable English Cream Golden Retriever, a breed renowned for its friendly nature, intelligence, and beautiful cream-colored coat. However, as charming as they are, these furry friends sometimes have a fondness for gnawing on furniture, much to the dismay of their human companions.

Now, it’s essential to understand that English Cream Golden Retriever puppies, chew on various things as part of their natural behavior. It’s one way they explore their surroundings, relieve teething discomfort, or even cope with boredom or anxiety. However, when your cherished coffee table or beloved armchair becomes their favorite chew toy, it’s time to intervene.

Don’t worry, though. Many pet owners experience this issue, and there are effective strategies to redirect this chewing habit toward more suitable alternatives. Let’s dive in and explore them together!

Understanding Your Dog’s Chewing Behavior

When understanding our four-legged friends, it’s crucial to remember that their world is vastly different from ours. So, let’s take a moment to step into their paws and perceive life from their unique perspective.

Chewing is an innate behavior in dogs, almost as natural to them as breathing is to us. This instinct dates back to their ancestors, who needed to gnaw on bones and other materials to feed themselves and keep their jaws strong and teeth clean. This behavior has evolved into a multifaceted activity serving various purposes in today’s domesticated dogs.

For puppies, chewing relieves the teething phase, a period often characterized by discomfort as their adult teeth push through the gums. It resembles how a human baby might find solace in a teething ring. In older dogs, chewing remains a vital part of their daily routine. It maintains oral health, providing a natural way to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

But there’s more to this behavior than dental health. Dogs also chew to explore their environment. Remember, they don’t have hands to touch and feel things around them. Instead, their mouths are their primary tool for interacting with the world.

Chewing can also be a response to boredom or anxiety. Much like humans might bite their nails or fidget when nervous or idle. Dogs may resort to chewing as a coping mechanism. It offers a form of mental stimulation and can even have a soothing effect on anxious adult Golden Retriever.

🐶Why Your English Cream Golden Retriever is Prone to Chewing

English Cream Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed originally bred for retrieving games during hunts. It required them to carry objects gently in their mouths without damaging them, leading to a strong ‘mouthiness’ trait. This trait, coupled with their high energy levels and intelligence, makes them prone to chewing behavior if they’re not adequately stimulated or exercised.

Additionally, their inherent curiosity and need to explore the world around them often translate into a love for chewing. Remember, to a dog, a new object isn’t just something to look at; it’s something to taste, feel, and understand through their mouth.

Their intelligence also contributes to this behavior. English Cream Golden Retrievers are smart dogs that crave mental stimulation. If they don’t get it from their environment or activities, they might resort to creating their entertainment – and sometimes, this involves chewing on whatever they can find.

Furthermore, like any other breed, English Cream Golden Retrievers can chew out of boredom, stress, or anxiety. It’s their way of self-soothing and dealing with emotions they might not fully understand.

Signs Your English Cream Golden Retriever is Chewing Furniture

As an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy owner, you must stay vigilant for signs that your furry companion might be developing a taste for furniture. It doesn’t just protect your home decor from unwanted damage and protects your dog from potential harm.

So, what are these telltale signs? Let’s dive into some key indicators that your Retriever might turn your furniture into their chew toy.

‼Evidence of Damage: The most obvious sign is visible damage to your furniture. Look out for gnawed edges, shredded upholstery, or scratches on wooden surfaces. If your favorite armchair suddenly sports bite marks or your carpet has suspiciously frayed edges, your Retriever has been exercising their jaws in the wrong place.

‼Frequent Licking or Chewing Gestures: Dogs often exhibit certain behaviors before chewing. If you notice your Retriever frequently licking or nibbling at a particular piece of furniture, it could be a precursor to more intense chewing.

‼Finding Fragments of Furniture: Discovering small pieces of wood, fabric, or stuffing around your home can signify destructive chewing. These fragments might be found near the damaged furniture or in your dog’s favorite hangouts.

‼Changes in Behavior: If your usually calm and composed Retriever suddenly begins showing restlessness or seems excessively focused on a specific piece of furniture, it might indicate underlying chewing behavior.

‼Unusual Bowel Movements: This might sound strange, but if your dog has been chewing on furniture, it could reflect in their poop. Look out for unusual items in their waste, such as fabric or splinters of wood.

Effects of Your English Cream Golden Retriever’s Chewing Habits on Their Health and Your Furniture

The chewing behavior of your English Cream Golden Retriever can have a significant impact, both on your dog’s health and the state of your furniture. It’s important to understand these consequences so you can take steps to mitigate them and keep both your pet and your home in top shape.

✅Impact on Your Dog’s Health:

• Risk of Ingesting Harmful Substances: Furniture often contains materials not meant for ingestion. Varnishes, paint, and certain types of wood can be harmful if swallowed, posing a risk to your dog’s health.
• Potential for Dental Problems: While chewing can help keep your dog’s teeth clean, excessive or aggressive chewing on hard surfaces like furniture could lead to broken teeth, gum injuries, or other dental problems.
• Choking Hazards: Small pieces of furniture, such as splinters from wood or buttons from upholstery, can become choking hazards if your dog tries to swallow them.
• Digestive Issues: Ingesting non-food items like fabric or stuffing from furniture can lead to blockages in the digestive system, requiring urgent veterinary attention.

✅Impact on Your Furniture:

• Damage to Furniture: This is the most obvious consequence. Constant chewing can lead to noticeable damage, such as gnawed edges, torn upholstery, or scratched surfaces.
• Decrease in Furniture Lifespan: Regular chewing will wear down your furniture faster than normal, reducing its lifespan and aesthetic appeal.
• Increased Maintenance Costs: You may frequently repair or replace damaged furniture, leading to increased maintenance costs over time.
• Compromised Home Aesthetics: Chewed-up furniture can detract from your home’s overall appearance and comfort, making it less welcoming for you and your guests.

Steps to Stop Your English Cream Golden Retriever From Chewing Furniture

Now that we understand the reasons behind your Retriever’s chewing behavior and its potential consequences let’s explore some steps you can take to stop or redirect this habit.

✔Provide Chew Toys

Chew toys can be critical in managing your English Cream Golden Retriever’s chewing tendencies, providing a safe and appropriate outlet for their instincts. Let’s explore why these simple items can make a significant difference.

Satisfies Their Natural Urge to Chew: Dog breeds like Retrievers, naturally desire to chew. It’s an instinctive behavior that shouldn’t be suppressed entirely. Chew toys provide a safe and suitable target for this urge, keeping your furniture out of the firing line.

Promotes Dental Health: Chew toys can improve your dog’s dental health. They help clean the teeth, reduce plaque buildup, and stimulate the gums. It can contribute to better oral hygiene and help prevent dental problems.

Relieves Boredom and Anxiety: Chewing can act as a stress reliever for dogs. If your Retriever is bored or anxious, a good chew toy can provide comfort and distraction, reducing the likelihood of turning to your furniture for relief.

Deters Destructive Behavior: Having a variety of interesting Golden Retriever chew toys at their disposal can keep your dog occupied and satisfied, reducing the chances of them resorting to destructive chewing behaviors.

Teaches Appropriate Behavior: By encouraging your dog to use chew toys, you teach them what is acceptable to chew on and not. It can help establish boundaries and promote better behavior overall.

✔Use Deterrent Sprays

Deterrent sprays can be a powerful tool to manage your English Cream Golden Retriever’s affinity for chewing furniture. But what exactly are these sprays, and how do they work? Let’s delve into the details.

Deterrent sprays, or anti-chew sprays, are products designed to discourage unwanted chewing behavior in dogs. These sprays contain ingredients that dogs find unappealing – typically bitter or spicy flavors. The idea is simple: by making the objects of their chewing desire taste unpleasant, your dog will be less likely to chew on them.

When used correctly, deterrent sprays can be quite effective. You simply apply the spray to the surfaces you want to protect, such as the legs of your dining room chairs or the corners of your sofa. When your English Cream Golden Retriever goes to chew on these items, they’ll get a taste of the deterrent and quickly learn that it’s not a pleasant experience.

One of the key advantages of deterrent sprays is that they’re usually safe for your furniture and your pet. Most sprays are made with non-toxic, pet-friendly ingredients. They won’t harm your Retriever if ingested in small amounts, nor will they damage most types of furniture.

However, it’s always a good idea to first test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or other damage.

✔Training Your Dog

Training your English Cream Golden Retriever to abstain from chewing furniture is not just about providing alternatives or making the furniture taste bad. It’s also about teaching your furry friend some basic obedience.

Here are some essential training tips that can help:

Positive Reinforcement: This technique involves rewarding your dog when they behave correctly. If your Retriever chews on their toy instead of the furniture, give them a treat or praise. It will help them understand that good things happen when they chew the right items.

Redirection: If you catch your dog chewing on the furniture, calmly redirect them to a suitable chew toy. Once they start chewing the toy, reward them with praise or a treat. It will help them associate chewing their toys with positive outcomes.

‘Leave it’ Command: Teaching your dog the ‘leave it’ command can be incredibly useful. When your dog goes to chew the furniture, say ‘leave it’ in a firm but calm voice. When they obey, reward them. Over time, your dog should start associating the command with stopping what they’re doing.

Consistency: Consistency is key in any form of training. Ensure everyone in the household is on the same page and follows the same rules. It will prevent confusion for your dog and increase the likelihood of success.

Professional Training Options

While many owners successfully train their dogs at home, sometimes professional help may be needed, especially if the chewing behavior is persistent and causing significant damage.

Professional dog trainers have the knowledge and experience to deal with various behavioral issues, including excessive chewing. They can offer personalized training plans tailored to your dog’s needs such as potty training and guide how to reinforce the training at home.

Another option is obedience school, where your dog can learn basic commands and socialize with other dogs. It can be particularly useful for puppies or young dogs still learning the ropes.

Alternatively, you may consider a dog behaviorist specializing in understanding and modifying dog behavior. They can help identify any underlying issues like elbow dysplasia causing your Retriever’s chewing habits and suggest appropriate solutions.

✔Regular Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Regular exercise is pivotal in managing your English Cream Golden Retriever’s chewing tendencies. As a breed, Retrievers are energetic and athletic dogs that require substantial physical activity to stay healthy and happy. If they don’t get enough exercise, they may resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing to burn off their pent-up energy.

Physical activity doesn’t just tire out your dog physically but also mentally. It provides an outlet for their instincts, like running, jumping, and retrieving, which can help curb their desire to chew on inappropriate items.

Regular walks, play sessions in the backyard, or visits to a dog park can do wonders for your dog’s overall behavior. Incorporating fetch games or agility training can add variety to their exercise routine and further channel their energy positively.

Mental stimulation activities for your English Cream Golden Retriever

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for your dog. A mentally stimulated dog is less likely to engage in destructive behavior, including unwanted chewing.

Here are some activities you can introduce to keep your Retriever’s mind sharp:

Puzzle Toys: These toys require your dog to solve a puzzle to get a reward, usually a treat. They can keep your Retriever engaged for hours and stimulate their problem-solving skills.

Training Sessions: Regular training sessions, even just practicing basic commands, provide excellent mental exercise for dogs. You can also teach them new tricks to keep things interesting.

Hide and Seek: Hide treats or their favorite toys around the house or garden and let your dog find them. This game taps into their natural hunting instincts and provides mental stimulation.

Interactive Games: Games like tug-of-war or fetch provide physical exercise and require your dog to think and make decisions, providing mental stimulation.

Socialization: Visiting dog parks or arranging playdates with other dogs can stimulate your dog’s mind by exposing them to different environments and social interactions.

✔Consult with a Veterinarian

While it’s normal for English Cream Golden Retrievers, especially puppies, to chew during their exploration and teething process, excessive chewing can sometimes indicate underlying issues.

If you’ve tried various strategies at home and your dog’s chewing habit shows no signs of abating, it might be time to seek professional help. A consultation with a veterinarian can provide valuable insights into your dog’s behavior.

A veterinarian can assess your dog’s overall health and consider their age, diet, exercise routine, and other factors that might contribute to excessive chewing. They can advise on additional training techniques or recommend suitable chew toys or deterrents.

Possible Medical Reasons for Excessive Chewing

Remembering excessive or destructive chewing can sometimes signal underlying medical problems is crucial. If your Retriever’s chewing seems unusual, it’s important to consult with a vet.

Here are some potential medical reasons for excessive chewing:

Dental Issues: Dogs can suffer from various dental problems, like gum disease or tooth decay, which can cause discomfort and lead them to chew excessively.

Nutritional Deficiencies: If your dog’s diet lacks certain nutrients, they might start chewing objects to rectify the deficiency.

Parasites: Fleas, ticks, or intestinal parasites can cause itching and discomfort, prompting dogs to chew or bite at their skin.

Allergies: Dog food or environmental factors can cause itchiness and irritation, leading to excessive chewing or licking.

Pain or Discomfort: If your dog is in pain from conditions like arthritis, they might chew to distract themselves from the discomfort.

Anxiety or Stress: Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety and stress, which they sometimes cope with through behaviors like chewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if my dog won’t stop chewing?

A: It’s important to rule out any medical reasons for the excessive chewing. Make an appointment with your vet to check for dental problems or allergies. If your dog gets a clean bill of health, then the problem is likely behavioral. Consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or a behaviorist. They can offer strategies tailored to your dog’s needs. Simultaneously, ensure your furry friend gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Interactive toys, puzzle toys, and regular training sessions can help. Remember, patience is key. It might take time, but your dog’s chewing behavior can improve with a consistent approach.

Q: Can I use any type of deterrent spray on my furniture?

A: While it might be tempting to use any deterrent spray you find to protect your furniture from your Retriever’s chewing habits, choosing a product that’s safe for your pet and your household items is crucial. Many pet stores carry a range of sprays specifically designed to deter dogs from chewing. These sprays often have a bitter taste that dogs find unappealing. However, remember to read the labels carefully for any potentially harmful ingredients, and your vet can give you recommendations when in doubt. It’s also a good idea to spot-test the spray on a small, hidden area of your furniture first to ensure it doesn’t stain or discolor the material.

Q: When should I consult a veterinarian about my dog’s chewing behavior?

A: Knowing when to consult a vet can feel tricky, but here’s a rule of thumb: if your dog’s chewing behavior seems excessive, is causing damage to your belongings, or is distressed, it’s probably time to seek professional advice. Chewing is natural for dogs, especially puppies, but it could indicate underlying health issues when it becomes a persistent habit despite your best efforts. Also, if your dog is chewing specific items like rocks, furniture, or their own body, leading to sores or wounds, it’s time to call the vet.

Conclusion

Handling your English Cream Golden Retriever can be a challenge, but remember, it’s a journey that you and your furry friend are embarking on together. Whether through basic obedience training, regular exercise and mental stimulation, or seeking professional help, each step you take aims to ensure your Retriever’s happiness, health, and well-being.

Patience, consistency, and understanding are your best tools in this endeavor. Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. It’s about finding the right balance and solutions that cater to your English Cream Golden Retriever’s needs.

We hope this guide has been helpful and given you some valuable insights into managing your dog’s chewing habits. But we’d love to hear about your experiences too! Do you have any additional tips or stories to share? Has a particular approach worked wonders for your Retriever? Feel free to leave a comment below. Your input could be invaluable to other Retriever parents navigating the same chewy waters.