Are you growing frustrated by your pet constantly chewing on the wrong things? Chewing is a normal activity for the majority of animals, and a necessary one for the health and comfort of your dear friend. Don’t fret – you can help curb their instincts and teach them how to divert their attention from the things they shouldn’t be chewing on. Read on for some simple tips and techniques on how to keep your pet from chewing what they shouldn’t.
1. Winning the Battle Against Bad Chewing Habits
Chewing with your mouth open is considered one of the most uncivilized manners, and it can be difficult to break this bad habit. If you’re looking for ways to improve your behaviour, here are some suggestions that can help:
- Pre-occupy yourself. If you’re too busy focusing on something else, you won’t be as tempted to chew with your mouth open.
- Put a mirror in front of you. Being able to see your own behaviour can help you be more self-aware and take a conscious approach to avoid it.
- Focus on closing your lips while you chew. Having this simple reminder can help you avoid the urge to open your mouth wide and make a scene.
- Engage in a conversation. Trying to make conversation with those around you will naturally draw your attention away from chewing with your mouth open.
Obviously everyone has different causes of this unpleasant bad habit. However, if you make a conscious effort to remember and apply the aforementioned tips, you’ll soon find yourself .
It also helps to stay mindful of your own behaviour, gradually you’ll be able to recognize when you’re about to slip back into the old habit and redirect your behaviour. With a little bit of effort and willingness to modify your habits, you can succeed in breaking this bad habit.
2. Establishing Boundaries with Your Pet: Teaching Chew Commands
Most pet owners have experienced a familiar frustration: coming home to see their furniture, shoes and other beloved items chewed up by their furry pal. This behavior is common, but unintentional destruction can be prevented with the help of chew commands.
The training process of teaching chew commands requires simple steps. Start by providing your pet with a few appropriate chew toys. Then, when you witness them play with an unacceptable object such as your shoe, use a harsh voice and the command phrase “leave it”. To reinforce the command, be sure to provide praise while they walk away and offer professional treats.
Though not all pet owners have the patience to train their pets, it is important to exercise consistency when teaching chew commands. Allowing your pet to eat inappropriate items one second, and then scolding them for it the next could lead to serious confusion and frustration. If your pet is having difficulty comprehending the concept, seek the help of a professional trainer.
At the same time, it’s important to be mindful of your pet’s need for healthy coping outlets. Providing your pet with interactive toys, chew amenities, and mental stimulation can be beneficial. Here are a few options your pet may enjoy:
- Chewing bones
- Kong boxes
- Interactive puzzles
- Fetch toys
With a bit of practice and guidance, pet owners can successfully teach their furry friend adequate chew commands and prevent further destruction.
3. Get Creative: Engaging Your Pet in Stopping Unwanted Chewing
The next time your pet is tempted to gnaw on something it shouldn’t, try one of these creative strategies to break the habit.
- Redirect their energy: Introduce your pet to an approved chew toy whenever it looks like it’s about to chew something else. Pets will learn that it’s much more rewarding to chew their chew toy instead of the furniture or prized possessions.
- Convince them it tastes bad: Spraying a bad tasting substance (safe for ingestion) onto the area being chewed should convince your pet not to chew it again.
- Make it seem unpleasant: Placing an unpleasant (but safe) material like aluminum foil or bitter apple spray near the area being chewed reinforces the idea that it’s a bad place to have a bite.
- Create a distraction: Any loud or startling noise should help capture your pet’s attention and distract them from the chewing activity.
Show your pet that there are more rewarding activities than chewing, and you may be able to stop the problem once and for all. If your pet busies itself with interactive toys, training games, or simple petting, it quickly loses interest in the chewed item.
By giving your pet attention and engaging it in other activities, it should feel less of an urge to chew your furniture or other possessions, ending (potentially) months of frustration.
4. Healthy Alternatives for Chomping: Providing Appropriate Chew Items
Offering appropriate chew items for children with chomping behavior can make all the difference in their development. It’s important to find something that’s friendly to the teeth and gums of a young one and easy to clean for their parents. Here are some easy, healthy alternatives for chomping that both kids and parents will love:
- Whistle/Popsicle Molds: These tasty little molds provide a soft texture for chomping and come in a variety of fun shapes and colors. The “popsicle” versions are especially good for toddlers and preschoolers and the whistle molds provide a fun way to practice blowing and huffing.
- Organic Cotton: This is a great option for little ones who need something soft and chewy. Organic cotton is soft on the gums, easy to clean and can be cut into various shapes and sizes. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly. Win, win!
- Dishware: Offering age-appropriate dishes to chew on can be a great way to get a little one interested in dinner-time. Plus, durable plates, dishes and cups can last through a chomping session, and are easily washed in the dishwasher for a quick clean up.
While all of these items provide great options for chomping, it’s important to remember that supervision is always important when it comes to kids and an extra watchful eye should be given to any child with chomping behavior. Furthermore, it’s best to buy items made from natural materials that are safe, non-toxic and age-appropriate.
By keeping these tips and suggestions in mind, parents and caregivers can provide healthy alternatives for chompers. With the right items, kids can crunch and bite to their hearts’ delight!
5. Don’t Drop the Ball: Providing Consistent Training and Supervision
No organization can expect to stay competitive without providing staff with regular, consistent training and supervision. Organizations need to identify where resources are best used to ensure employees remain effective and efficient.
An effective training and development program will help staff stay up-to-date with best practices in the segment and to build relevant skills. This will not only boost their work performance, but cultivate their job satisfaction as well. Here are five ways to provide stable training and supervision:
- Schedule regular meetings with the staff to discuss their development needs. This will help you stay on top of the topics people need to learn and which skills need to be developed, and ensure staff feel supported and listened to.
- Invest in a learning management system for e-learning and/or blended learning, so staff can learn flexibly and at their own pace. That way, no one is left behind.
- Cross-train staff to help promote knowledge sharing, communication, and collaboration across the team. Having different people with the same knowledge will provide additional assurance the team stays up-to-date.
- Evaluate the performance of staff using tools in the learning management system or other methods. This will give you insight as to what topics to focus on in the next training. It should also identify opportunities for additional training resources.
- When possible, provide one-on-one supervision with managerial staff. This supervised practice creates an engaging and more substantial learning experience.
Training and supervision are essential to build team vitality and unlock the effectiveness of your organization. While there is a cost associated with it, the quality of work and staff satisfaction should offset any financial cost.
By paying attention to your pets and understanding what instinctively motivates them, you can learn to trust them and keep their natural behaviors in check. When possible, it’s important to take proactive measures to protect your belongings and do what you can to curb your pet’s curiosity. That way, they can live life without getting into trouble, and you can enjoy a long, happy life together. [dqr_code]
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