Why does my puppy eat paper? How do I stop this chewing habit?

This is a very common problem, especially for puppies and young dogs - they just seem to enjoy ripping up and eating paper. This is not normally a sign of any kind of dietary deficiency or health problem, just something that they do for fun :) I would try and keep paper products put away out of her reach, since ingesting a large amount of paper could potentially cause some stomach upset or even an obstruction.

Hi there! It's very common for puppies to enjoy tearing up paper items, boxes, books, etc. The best way to prevent this is to puppy-proof your home and keep these items put away out of Kimi's reach - just like you would for a human toddler. She will likely become less interested in doing this as she gets older. I would also make sure that you are providing plenty of appropriate chewing options for her, such as bully sticks, rawhide chews, cow or pig ears, and puzzle toys such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter.

It would be hard to say why he is doing this. Many dogs do though and are chewers, or get in to trash for paper or Kleenex, etc. If he is doing those things, make sure he is confined to one room and keep those things out of reach. Crate train him of necessary

You may have have 2 separate problems or they may be related. If Shamu is generally bored and trying to find things to do, that may contribute to his eating his stool and his destructive tendencies. I am attaching a handout about eating stool below that may have some additional suggestions for you. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8587687 I like the food additives to help stop dogs from eating their own stool. As far as the chewing goes, I would consider adding Bitter Apple ( ) short term on areas of the floor that he is chewing, when work on tiring him out on a regular basis. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me with my puppy. One thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. Keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps him busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-toys/interactive-dog-toys/dog-puzzle-toys-and-games So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity and see if that resolves his stool eating and destructive tendencies. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Unfortunately this is a common problem in puppies, but luckily there are many things you can do to help stop it. Redirecting him to appropriate toys and providing praise for when he chooses the correct things to chew on can help. Go to https://veterinarypartner.vin.com and type Destructive Chewing by Puppies and Dogs and Bones are Unsafe for Your Dog, No Bones about It in the search bar for more information. Also see the link below for training tips: https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/how-to-prevent-damage-from-a-destructive-dog/

Hi, I totally understand you chewing ca be a bit of a problem during these early months. You need to try to be consistent and not to give up and play with your hands. Even during normal play, interrupt play and ignore him if suddenly starting to play too rough. You should try to praise calm behaviour and when he manages (eventually) to sit and be focused. As times goes by, he will get better and better and hopefully grow in a well balanced adult !

Bad little dog! :) This is quite common for puppies. If you think he is eating the pad especially the plastic part, then this is a concern. I would consider start crate training him instead of pad training because it could be safer for him long term. I worry if he ingests a large piece of plastic that it could get stuck in his intestinal tract. You could try to use towels in place of the pee pad if crate training isn't any option. I will attach an article about crate training. I hope this helps! https://www.petco.com/content/content-hub/home/articlePages/new-pet/Puppy-and-Dog-Crate-Training.html