As a pet owner, you may have noticed that your golden retriever has taken to chewing on just about everything. From your shoes to the furniture, it seems like there’s no stopping them!
But, why do golden retrievers chew so much, and when do they stop doing so? And, how do you stop them from destructive chewing?
In this article, you will get answers to these questions.
Let’s start!
Why do Golden Retrievers like to chew?
Dogs or Golden Retrievers are known for their love of chewing. While the reasons why they do this are still being studied, it is believed that there are several reasons why Golden Retrievers like to chew.
Some believe that it helps them to relieve boredom or stress, while others believe that it helps them to clean their teeth.
Some of them also like to chew because of teething.
Whatever the reason, it is important to provide your Golden Retriever with plenty of chew toys to prevent them from chewing on things that they should not, such as furniture or shoes.
Do Golden Retrievers chew everything?
Golden retrievers usually don’t chew everything. However, some may chew on a variety of objects, including furniture or shoes, because of stress, worry, nutritional deficit, medical conditions, or other factors. If your golden retriever is chewing just everything that he’s not supposed to, try to figure out the possible cause or visit a vet.
Why do your golden retrievers chew so much?
Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly personalities, intelligence, and loyalty. They are great family dogs that enjoy being around people and other animals. However, Golden Retrievers also have a reputation for being chewers.
Many Golden Retriever owners will attest to the fact that their dog loves to chew on anything and everything, from shoes and clothing to furniture and toys.
While chewing is normal behavior for dogs, it can become a problem when they start to chew on items that are not meant to be chewed on.
So, why do Golden Retrievers chew so much?
There are a few different reasons why your Golden Retriever may be a chewer.
Let’s take a look at those.
Teething
Teething is one of the most common reasons why Golden Retrievers may have a destructive chewing habit. Puppies go through a teething stage where their baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth.
This can be a painful process for puppies, and they may try to relieve the pain by chewing on things.
If your Golden Retriever is a puppy, he may start to chew more aggressively as he is going through the teething process.
Boredom
Another reason why Golden Retrievers may chew is that they are bored. If he does not have enough to do, he may start to chew out of boredom.
Golden Retrievers are active dogs that need a lot of exercises. If they are not getting enough exercise, they may start to look for other ways to burn off energy, such as chewing.
Stress and anxiety
Golden Retrievers may also chew so much because they are anxious or stressed. If he is feeling anxious or stressed, he may start to chew as a way to relieve the tension he is feeling.
Being left alone for a long time
Golden Retrievers are social animals that thrive on companionship. If they are left alone for long periods of time, they may start to feel anxious and stressed.
This can lead to chewing as a way to relieve that tension.
Unfriendly environment
If the environment your Golden Retriever is in is not conducive to his needs, he may start to chew as a way to cope.
For example, if he is not getting enough exercise or if he is in an environment that is too stressful, he may start to chew as a response to that.
Separation Anxiety
Some Golden Retrievers may chew excessively because they have Separation Anxiety. Separation Anxiety is a condition that affects some dogs where they become anxious when they are away from their owner.
If your Golden has Separation Anxiety, he may start to chew as a way to cope with the anxiety he is feeling.
Seeking attention
Retrievers may also chew a lot because they are seeking attention. If he is not getting enough attention from you, he may start to chew as a way to get your attention.
Dogs are social animals that need companionship. If they feel like they are not getting enough attention, they may start to act out in order to get the attention they crave.
Nutritional deficiency
Another reason is nutritional deficiency. If your Golden Retriever is not getting enough of certain nutrients in his diet, he may start to chew as a way to compensate for the deficiency.
Most importantly, if he is not getting enough calories, he may become a destructive chewer and start to chew on furniture or other objects in an attempt to get the get back.
In addition, pica is a medical condition when a golden retriever may chew s much due to poor diet and nutrition.
Hunger
Sometimes, they may be hungry for a long time or not get enough food they need every day. So, they have decided to chew on whatever they find.
Medical conditions
Your golden may also chew because they have a medical condition. If he has a medical condition that is causing him pain, he may start to chew as a way to relieve the pain.
Certain medical conditions can cause dogs to feel pain, and this can lead to chewing.
Keeping in a small space
Some Golden Retrievers may chew because they are trying to escape. If your Golden is confined to a small space, such as a crate or a room, he may start to chew as a way to try to escape.
Golden Retrievers are active dogs that need a lot of space to run and play. If they are confined to a small space, they may start to feel claustrophobic and will try to escape by chewing.
In short, If your Golden Retriever is chewing more than usual, it is important to take him to the vet to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing the behavior.
Once any medical conditions have been ruled out, you can start to look at other possible causes, such as boredom, anxiety, or attention-seeking.
If you are not sure what is causing your Golden Retriever to chew, you should consult with a behaviorist or trainer who can help you figure out the root of the problem.
Check out my other article on keeping a golden retriever in a small house.
When do golden retrievers stop chewing?
If your golden retriever puppy chews excessively due to teething, it will stop after the adult teeth come in at the age of 6 months. However, if it’s because of other causes, it will take some time to eliminate the habit after you figure out the cause and take appropriate measurements.
How to stop a golden retriever from chewing too much?
If your Golden Retriever is chewing more than normal, there are a few things you can do to help him.
Consider using a bitter spray or taste deterrent
Try using a bitter spray or taste deterrent on things you don’t want your retriever to chew.
This type of spray is designed to taste bad to dogs, which will help to deter them from chewing on things.
Bitter apple spray is available for purchase at most pet stores.
Simply spray the area that your Golden is chewing on with the bitter apple spray.
You can also mix chili or neem powder with water to use it as a spray.
Most dogs will quickly learn that the area tastes bad and will avoid chewing on it.
Provide with more chew toys
Provide your retriever with plenty of toys and chew bones to keep them occupied
There are a variety of different chew toys on the market that are designed specifically for dogs.
Chew toys can help to keep your Golden Retriever occupied and may help to reduce his urge to chew on other things.
Though there are a variety of chew toys available for purchase, you can also make your own.
For example, you can take an empty water bottle and fill it with treats.
Your Golden Retriever will then have to work to get the treats out of the bottle, which will provide them with a fun and stimulating activity.
Chew toys are a great way to keep your Golden Retriever happy and healthy, so be sure to provide them with plenty of options.
Make sure your golden retriever gets enough exercise
One thing you can do is to make sure that the Golden Retriever is getting enough exercise. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise twice a day.
If your retriever is not getting enough exercise, try to increase the amount of time you are taking him for walks or playing with him in the backyard.
Positive reinforcement
Correct your dog when they start to chew on something they shouldn’t be.
You should also make sure to use positive reinforcement when your Golden Retriever is not chewing.
This means rewarding them with treats or praise when they are behaving well.
Positive reinforcement will help to train your Golden Retriever and let them know that they are doing something right.
Be consistent with your commands and rewards, and remain patient while training your dog.
Be sure to avoid using punishment when your Golden Retriever is chewing.
Punishing your Golden Retriever will only make them scared of you and may cause them to act out in other ways.
It is important to be patient when training your Golden Retriever not to chew.
They are a breed that is known for being very intelligent, so they will eventually catch on to what you are trying to teach them.
Reduce their pain
If your golden retriever chews destructively as a result of teething, you can help them reduce pain by providing them with ice cubes, frozen clothes, or frozen toys.
This will numb their teeth and gum and reduce the pain and he will stop chewing things.
Spend more time with them
As a golden retriever loves companionship and seeks attention, you should give him more time to reduce his stress or feel lonely.
Try not to leave your retriever alone for a long period. If you have to go outside for work, you can hire a dog sitter or take him to dog daycare.
Avoid giving old shoes or clothing to chew on
Try to avoid giving your Golden old shoes or clothing to chew on. While it may seem like a good way to keep him from chewing on your things, it can actually make the problem worse.
Your retriever may start to associate your old shoes and clothing with being able to chew, and he may be more likely to chew on them even when you are not around.
Talk to a veterinarian
If your Golden Retriever is still having trouble with excessive chewing, you may want to talk to your vet.
He may be able to recommend a behavior modification program or medication that can help to reduce your Golden Retriever’s urge to chew.
Are Golden Retrievers aggressive chewers?
Naturally, golden retrievers like to chew on things, but most of them aren’t aggressive chewers. However, a golden retriever can chew on things heavily because of several reasons such as teething, stress, boredom, poor nutrition, an unfriendly environment, or a certain health condition.
check out my other article on golden retriever’s fluffy tail.
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers are great dogs, but their chewing habits can be a problem for their owners. This may happen due to teething, boredom, stress, anxiety, attention-seeking, a lack of proper nutrition, an unfavorable environment, and medical conditions.
If your Golden Retriever is an aggressive chewer, there are a few things you can do to help him.
If teething is the cause of their chewing excessively, help them relieve their pain.
To reduce any type of chewing behavior, try to provide him with more chew toys and make sure he is getting enough exercise.
If the problem persists, talk to your veterinarian about other options that may be available to help reduce your Golden Retriever’s urge to chew.
FAQ about Golden retrievers chewing so much
Why is a golden retriever chewing his paws so much?
Golden retrievers can chew on their paws when they have skin problems, injuries, food allergies, or parasites. It may be also due to boredom, anxiety, or stress. In addition, when something is stuck in their paws or gets dirty, they want to clean it in this way.
Why do golden retrievers chew sticks?
Golden retrievers chew sticks because of their natural instinct and being carnivores. However, you should be careful if they chew sticks from outside as some may be poisoning and can be dangerous for them.
Why do golden retrievers chew wood?
It’s not normal for a golden retriever to chew wood. But, they may try to eat or chew wood, under certain conditions such as nutritional deficiency or pica, teething, anxiety, stress, and other health problems.
Why do golden retrievers chew on rocks?
Golden retrievers chew on rocks or may try to eat them if they are suffering from stress, anxiety, or boredom. Sometimes, they can also chew it when they find something tasty in the mud. However, mostly, it’s due to poor nutritional status or a medical condition.