What Type of Chewer Is Your Dog?
All Dogs Chew… But They Do It Differently
A dog that experiences mouth pain will chew to massage the gums and get rid of the unpleasant sensation. In that case, chewing has a very specific physiological need. Once the issue is addressed, the chewing will stop.
Destructive chewing is something else. Usually, it is a behavioral response to a specific stimulus. Destructive chewing can occur because of separation anxiety, boredom, fear, stress, frustration, or even hunger.
Normal chewing behavior in dogs happens at any age. It keeps the jaws strong, stimulates pups, and ensures good oral hygiene. Whenever the chewing behavior is directed towards inappropriate items, however, it becomes problematic. Dogs have been known to destroy furniture, shoes, and home accessories because of boredom, anxiety, or a behavioral problem.
There are ways to deal with destructive chewing and some of these will be discussed in the final section of this post. Before knowing how to make your pup happy by offering the right treats and chew toys, however, you’ll have to determine what kind of chewer they are.
Types of Chewers
As surprising as this may seem at first, dog chewing behaviors vary. They’re based on a pup’s temperament and the specific reason for chewing. For example, a dog that chews out of boredom will be a completely different chewer from a puppy that’s experiencing teething aches.
We’ve managed to classify dog chewing behaviors into four categories. Check them out in the sections below and discover which group your pup belongs to.
Picker Chewer
A picker likes to… well… pick on an item that they’ve come across.
Bit by bit, they’ll take a toy apart in a consistent and meticulous manner.
Pickers, however, are selective about the specific items that they chew on. These pups are not aggressive but you still need to be careful about the types of chews you offer to your dog.
Long Game Chewer
Long game chewers are not aggressive and the aim isn’t to destroy the item. Rather, these pups are doing it for fun. They explore through chewing, they experience stimulation and soothe themselves this way.
Very often, long game chewers will have fun with soft toys and edibles. Durability isn’t the issue because long game chewers would not be excessively focused on complete annihilation.
Picker Chewer
A picker likes to… well… pick on an item that they’ve come across.
Bit by bit, they’ll take a toy apart in a consistent and meticulous manner.
Pickers, however, are selective about the specific items that they chew on. These pups are not aggressive but you still need to be careful about the types of chews you offer to your dog.
Long Game Chewer
Long game chewers are not aggressive and the aim isn’t to destroy the item. Rather, these pups are doing it for fun. They explore through chewing, they experience stimulation and soothe themselves this way.
Very often, long game chewers will have fun with soft toys and edibles. Durability isn’t the issue because long game chewers would not be excessively focused on complete annihilation.
Power Chewer
Sometimes also called destroyers, aggressive chewers can go through treats and chews effortlessly.
Their chewing is very intense and relentless. They wouldn’t stop until they’ve managed to rip the item that they’re playing with to shreds.
You will definitely know if you have a power chewer at home. Few items will withstand the fury and intensity of your dog. Based on that specific, it’s very important to go for tough and very resilient chew-proof toys that will give your pup enough of a challenge without breaking apart.
Keep in mind that some aggressive power chewers could ingest pieces of material that come off during the chewing. Hence, you have to be vigilant to ensure your pet’s safety and wellbeing.
Inhaler
Inhalers are the dogs that make items disappear. Now you see a tennis ball and a few minutes later – it’s gone completely! No traces left!
Some aggressive chewers could also be inhalers, meaning they will swallow whatever they manage to tear apart.
You need to be very careful with inhalers. Quite often, they’ll bite off more than they can chew (literally). As a result, intestinal blockages and other digestive issues are common among inhalers. If you’re getting such a pup toy, you have to be exceptionally careful about the materials they’re made of. Edible chews are the best and safest choice for inhalers.
Best Healthy Ways to Satisfy Your Dog’s Passion for Chewing
As you can see, chewing behaviors are so very different. To satisfy your dog’s natural needs and also keep them healthy, you’ll need to consider the right items your pet can chew on.
The market features a wide selection of chew toys and engaging items for dogs. When looking for such, make sure they’re made from non-toxic and safe materials. If you’re dealing with an aggressive chewer or an inhaler, you’ll need to be even more careful when assessing products. Always check the shape of the item, the material that it’s made of, and the durability/toughness of the toy.
To give you some general guidance, here are a few of the best chew items you can get for different kinds of dogs.
Edible chews are suitable for all four categories. Aggressive chewers, however, could get through these pretty fast. Choose bigger pieces and edible chews made of tougher materials that will last longer.
Some of the key characteristics to examine when looking for high-quality chews and snacks include hardness, durability, whether any kind of artificial coating/preservative has been used, and size and shape (make sure they’re appropriate for your dog’s breed and the size of their jaw) and hygiene.
In time, you’ll get a good idea about the items your dog enjoys the most and their entertainment value. Once you have this knowledge based on some feedback from your pup, you’ll find it much easier to pick and choose chew items worth a try.
Important note
Dog chews are not a replacement for regular professional teeth check-ups. Going to the vet to have your pup’s gums and teeth checked regularly is still important. The aim of the dental chew is to supplement a regular oral hygiene routine.
