Chewing things

On 20 Apr, 20:19, "Paul E. Schoen" <pst... DeleteThis @smart.net> wrote:
> "kezboobaby" <keron.kni... DeleteThis @btconnect.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1177094021.280161.102660@y5g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>
> > One of my Westie dogs chewed up some sponges, I don't think she ate of
> > them as the contents of the sponge was left all over my garden.
> > Originally the sponges were on the washing line drying off, once they
> > were dried I put them on the table in the garden. I think my westie
> > must have jumped up the chair and onto the table grabbed the sponge
> > and jumped back down again.
>
> > My question is: Why do dogs do these things when they have plenty of
> > there own toys to play with and chew?
>
> > Thank you
>
> My dog Muttley has from time to time chewed on computer cords and
> electrical cords, and usually he has done this while I was in the room with
> him. Pointing to it and saying "No" seems to have just about stopped the
> behavior (along with keeping them mostly off the floor or the bed where he
> lays). The fact he chewed these things in my presence indicates he may have
> wanted attention. He got it!
>
> He often seems to have a need to chew on something. He will completely eat
> a large rawhide chewy in less than an hour, and a chip in a few minutes,
> and I'm sure he would tear up most chew toys. Sometimes he chews on a piece
> of kindling for the woodstove. The only thing that has really lasted was a
> big knuckle bone, although he broke it in half and gouged out the marrow
> pretty quickly.
>
> Probably the sponges retained some sort of interesting scent. If the table
> was ever used for eating purposes there may be some connection there. I
> guess all dogs are different in their perspective about what is OK to chew
> on, and when. The only time Muttley got into something while I was gone was
> when he helped himself to a few milk bones in a bag that was left near the
> floor. He does, however, think anything put in the trash or recycling bags
> is his to take to his area and shred. When he does that I dispose of the
> items more properly, and give him a couple of milk bones as a reward for
> not causing any real mischief.
>
> Paul and "Chew-Chew" Muttley

The sponges were used to apply wax to my car but were washed after I
used them. I think she probably wanted something different to chew
on. I don't give my dogs raw hide as I've heard they are very
dangerous to dogs. I give my two westies dental bones.

I think this may have been an act of attention as I was busy at the
time and westies do need lots of attention.
 >> Stay informed about: Chewing things 

In article <1177094021.280161.102660 RemoveThis @y5g2000hsa.googlegroups.com>,
kezboobaby <keron.knight RemoveThis @btconnect.com> wrote:
>My question is: Why do dogs do these things when they have plenty of
>there own toys to play with and chew?

How do they know what's okay to chew and what's not?
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore RemoveThis @panix.com

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
 >> Stay informed about: Chewing things 

"kezboobaby" <keron.knight DeleteThis @btconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1177094021.280161.102660@y5g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> One of my Westie dogs chewed up some sponges, I don't think she ate of
> them as the contents of the sponge was left all over my garden.
> Originally the sponges were on the washing line drying off, once they
> were dried I put them on the table in the garden. I think my westie
> must have jumped up the chair and onto the table grabbed the sponge
> and jumped back down again.
>
> My question is: Why do dogs do these things when they have plenty of
> there own toys to play with and chew?
>
> Thank you
>

My dog Muttley has from time to time chewed on computer cords and
electrical cords, and usually he has done this while I was in the room with
him. Pointing to it and saying "No" seems to have just about stopped the
behavior (along with keeping them mostly off the floor or the bed where he
lays). The fact he chewed these things in my presence indicates he may have
wanted attention. He got it!

He often seems to have a need to chew on something. He will completely eat
a large rawhide chewy in less than an hour, and a chip in a few minutes,
and I'm sure he would tear up most chew toys. Sometimes he chews on a piece
of kindling for the woodstove. The only thing that has really lasted was a
big knuckle bone, although he broke it in half and gouged out the marrow
pretty quickly.

Probably the sponges retained some sort of interesting scent. If the table
was ever used for eating purposes there may be some connection there. I
guess all dogs are different in their perspective about what is OK to chew
on, and when. The only time Muttley got into something while I was gone was
when he helped himself to a few milk bones in a bag that was left near the
floor. He does, however, think anything put in the trash or recycling bags
is his to take to his area and shred. When he does that I dispose of the
items more properly, and give him a couple of milk bones as a reward for
not causing any real mischief.

Paul and "Chew-Chew" Muttley
 >> Stay informed about: Chewing things 

In article <1177097689.520727.247960.DeleteThis@y5g2000hsa.googlegroups.com>,
kezboobaby <keron.knight.DeleteThis@btconnect.com> wrote:
>I think she knew what exactly she was doing as when I went into the
>garden she gave me a very sorry look.

Well, there's what you think and then there's what you
know. How do you know your dog knows what's appropriate to
chew and what isn't?
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore.DeleteThis@panix.com

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
 >> Stay informed about: Chewing things 

On Apr 21, 4:33 am, kezboobaby <keron.kni....DeleteThis@btconnect.com> wrote:
> One of my Westie dogs chewed up some sponges, I don't think she ate of
> them as the contents of the sponge was left all over my garden.
> Originally the sponges were on the washing line drying off, once they
> were dried I put them on the table in the garden. I think my westie
> must have jumped up the chair and onto the table grabbed the sponge
> and jumped back down again.
>
> My question is: Why do dogs do these things when they have plenty of
> there own toys to play with and chew?
>
> Thank you


There's plenty of reasons why a dog may chew things including -
teething, boredom, separation anxiety (chewing things with owner's
scent on it), lack of chew toys etc...

This article explains why dogs chew and how to stop the chewing
behavior http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/stop-dog-chewing.html

Good luck
 >> Stay informed about: Chewing things