[flanjivfur]

Hello,
I have a Boston terrier, and he chews on everything. I keep him as active as I can,he have chew toys,he has a buddy to play with, and he still insists on chewing on my furniture. Is they anything I can put on my furniture that is a house hold item, I have already tried Tabasco sauce, Real lemon juice, bitter apple and all he does is lick it. Can anyone help?

[labman]

When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of his toys, or hold eye contact until the puppy drops it. If you consistently correct the dog every time it starts chewing something it shouldn't, eventually it will quit, at least when you are watching. Many dogs can never be trained to leave things alone when you aren't watching.

A mousetrap is very effective in making a dog leave something alone. Most
Dogs will stay away from anywhere they were surprised by a snap. The best
Part is that it is not you that is correcting the dog. It works whether you
Are around or not. The mousetrap is very patient and is always on task as
Long as you reset it.

Better than mousetraps when you aren't around is the crate. Other dogs may
Not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog
Will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be
Happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
Den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
Its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
Will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
Ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for
Dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
Something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select
A crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
Anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
Bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
Time for more than one dog.

[flanjivfur]

Thank You very much, I'll have to keep trying with the meatheads you have told me.

[fredg]

Hi,
There are a couple of things that will keep a dog away from most anything.
White Distilled Vinegar works very well, wiping a little on furnitue legs. Don't "overkill" with it, just wipe it on once.
Also, Household Ammonia's smell keeps them away. But, be careful of using too much; it might "discolor" some types of wood. They won't even get close enough to lick it.
Things like this would not have to be used constantly; only until the dog gets the idea that this "smells bad", and hopefully will leave it alone without having to constantly put it on the furniture.
Dogs' smelling ability is much, much more than humans, and they can smell it even though we might not be able to.
Also, here is a link for some dog repellent spray, safe for furniture:
http://www.pet-shop.net/html/repel.html
Best of luck.

[lilfyre]

You should use caution using ammonia based products to deter the dog from chewing on your furniture. Ammonia based product can cause a negative effect and cause the dog to eliminate in the house in the spot where used the ammonia. The only way I know to break this habit is to correct him only if you catch him, after you correct him with a stern voice (NEVER HIT HIM) give him a toy you want him to chew on. When you can not keep an eye on him either crate him, or keep him leased with you.

[flanjivfur]

Thank you both very much,, I to have found a way. I put a hand full of pennies into one of my tins , sealed to top with duck tape. When I catch him chewing on something I shake the tin rigorously and say NO CHEWING in a firm voice. So far that seems to be working.

[fredg]

Hi,
Sounds like you got his attention! Good work.