{"id":3018,"date":"2024-10-21T18:28:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T18:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/m-maxcasino.com\/?p=3018"},"modified":"2025-05-02T23:40:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T23:40:57","slug":"anti-chew-sprays-for-puppies-why-professionals-dont-recommend-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/m-maxcasino.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/21\/anti-chew-sprays-for-puppies-why-professionals-dont-recommend-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Chew Sprays For Puppies: Why Professionals Don\u2019t Recommend Them."},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a common product that gets recommended, but is there any value in bitter sprays as a deterrent to chewing?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re here, you\u2019re probably a new puppy parent (Congrats!) wondering whether bitter sprays will work to help you solve your chewing problem, right? Great! I\u2019m glad to have found you (lovely when the internet does what it\u2019s meant to, right?).<\/p>\n

As a professional dog\u00a0trainer, I see the frustration often \u201cHe chews everything! I even tried the anti-chew sprays and (insert issue from frustrated puppy parent here)\u201d<\/p>\n

Personally? I\u00a0never\u00a0<\/em>advise my puppy parents to use them \u2013 and I know that\u2019s the same for most other professional dog trainers.<\/p>\n

So why is that? Let\u2019s dive in and look at the reasons they\u2019re not recommended, and what you can do instead!<\/p>\n

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\"why<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

How They\u2019re Designed To Work<\/h2>\n

Bitter sprays are designed to be sprayed on an object or household items that puppy wants to chew, such as your furniture, or your sofa. Such that when your puppy tastes the item, they don\u2019t enjoy the bitter taste and don\u2019t want to taste it again. This, theoretically prevents them from chewing on anything with the spray deterrent.<\/p>\n

However\u2026 This isn\u2019t the\u00a0best\u00a0<\/em>plan, and here\u2019s why\u2026<\/p>\n

(Note:<\/strong> if you do choose to use bitter apple spray, please make sure it doesn\u2019t use essential oils like tea tree oil, make sure it\u2019s an alcohol-free formula, or propylene glycol to ensure you\u2019re not accidentally giving your dog toxic things with your taste deterrents, focus on natural ingredients like lemon juice if you\u00a0really have to.<\/em>).<\/p>\n

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\"Coachi<\/a><\/p>\n
Coachi Tuggi Hide, Great for Interactive Play, Strong & Comfortable, Stretchy Bungee Handle, Reward<\/a><\/div>\n
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This is great for interacting with puppy who wants to play and wants to bite! It allows pup to really engage with you and is perfect for redirecting and even better? The bungee takes your pup’s yank out of it for your shoulders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Fluff<\/a><\/p>\n
Fluff & Tuff Edsel Elephant<\/a><\/div>\n
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Edsel is a little pricey – but Edsel is the only toy that’s lasted 5 years in my home with 3 large dogs. I don’t let them sit and chomp on him like he’s a bone, but we do play tug and fetch all the time.<\/p>\n

He’s the perfect intermediary for a puppy who’s learning what to bite if that puppy likes human skin.<\/p>\n

This toy also doesn’t have an obnoxious squeaker! It’s got a squeaker with a much better tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"ChuckIt<\/a><\/p>\n
ChuckIt Balls<\/a><\/div>\n
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Honestly, don’t even buy a different kind of ball, they’re not worth it. These are super bouncy, super durable and don’t get soggy in your pocket when it rains.<\/p>\n

They do get drooly? But they make great, long lasting chews too, ironically!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

5 Reasons Professionals Don\u2019t Recommend Anti-Chew Sprays<\/h2>\n

1 \u2013 They don\u2019t teach the\u00a0right\u00a0<\/em>lesson.<\/h3>\n

Effectively, all a bitter apple spray or chewing deterrent teaches is \u201cIf it tastes yucky, don\u2019t chew it\u201d, not necessarily\u00a0what to chew.\u00a0<\/em>So your table legs covered in bitter agents may work but your pup won\u2019t really learn not to chew a table leg. Or, it can mean that when you\u00a0stop\u00a0<\/em>using a spray the chewing starts over.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not to mention that your puppy (like all dogs!) has a biological need to chew, especially when they\u2019re teething, it\u2019s why dog chews are such a big market.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"puppy<\/a><\/figure>\n

2 \u2013 Its rarely effective<\/h3>\n

Whether your dog just licks off the dog \u201canti chew\u201d sprays (yep, it happens!) or they just keep chewing through it, roughly 67% of dog parents find anti-chew sprays totally ineffective. The bittering agent is something some dogs actually enjoy, and can\u00a0encourage\u00a0<\/em>chewing. Whilst it\u2019s designed to be an unpleasant taste, it\u2019s not always the case for all dogs!\u00a0And many more dogs actually just don\u2019t care, as our poll shows.<\/p>\n

\"Anti
A poll taken from my audience about anti-chew sprays.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 \u2013 It\u2019s technically punishment<\/h3>\n

Believe it or not, when it comes to operant conditioning<\/a>, bitter apple sprays or chew deterrents are actually classified as positive punishment (the application of an undesired sensation for an undesired behavior), I.e. your puppy creates a negative association with inappropriate items. And whilst this may seem like an effective way to communicate\u2026 it really isn\u2019t quite as effective as you might think.<\/p>\n

In the professional world, we\u2019ve known for a long time that punishment<\/a> is\u00a0not needed\u00a0<\/em>in dog training!\u00a0<\/p>\n

4 \u2013 Puppies Explore With Their Mouth<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a pretty important socialization exercise, exploring the world, and to start creating that to become a punishing experience is kind of like if we started randomly electrifying things in a clothes store?\u00a0<\/p>\n

In one way, you\u2019re meant to explore, but in another, you\u2019re likely going to get worried that if you touch that sweater you love, it would become a concern you might get zapped\u2026 A slightly extreme example, but you get the idea.<\/p>\n

\"Socialization<\/a><\/figure>\n

5 \u2013 They Can Just Find A New Spot<\/h3>\n

If you don\u2019t cover various surfaces that have a similar mouth feel, you may not have the best results, as dog owners will often miss a puppy\u2019s desired areas, meaning puppy will just find themselves a spot that\u2019s not the treated or affected area, that little inconspicuous area that you didn\u2019t even think of.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What To Do Instead<\/h2>\n

So when we\u2019re looking to move away from deterrent sprays, or we\u2019re looking to avoid them entirely, what do we do?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Step 1 \u2013 Manage Access<\/h3>\n

To effectively train your puppy not to indulge in destructive chewing, it\u2019s paramount to manage their access<\/a> to surfaces and items they might be tempted to chew on. Begin by puppy-proofing your home<\/a>; this involves removing items like shoes, children\u2019s toys, and personal belongings from your puppy\u2019s reach. It\u2019s also crucial to secure loose wires and power cables from our furry friends to prevent them from becoming chew targets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Providing a puppy-safe zone (like a play pen<\/a> or crate<\/a>) is another effective strategy, where you designate a specific area of your home that\u2019s safe for your puppy to explore without getting into trouble.<\/p>\n

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\"Yak<\/a><\/p>\n
Yak Cheese<\/a><\/div>\n
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These chews are really interesting, they last for ages, and dogs tend to love them.<\/p>\n

We love these as a special treat, we don’t give them often, but they really do help relax dogs and bring them to a stage I call “Chew drunk”, because chewing releases endorphins for dogs and soothes them. So these are a wonderful choice.<\/p>\n

(Warning, watch your pup the first few times, strong chewers or greedy guts can be tempted to chomp it into a few pieces and just swallow it down)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Bully<\/a><\/p>\n
Bully Sticks<\/a><\/div>\n
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These are another single ingredient chew that’s bound to keep puppy focused and entertained. Whilst chews are never a replacement for a play session, this one comes close because of just how darn tasty they are!\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Chew<\/a><\/p>\n
Chew Root<\/a><\/div>\n
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These are root chunks from some heavy duty trees, and they crumble as opposed to splinter, so totally safe to ingest – which is awesome if you have a little pup who just can’t leave the wooden furniture alone.<\/p>\n

Redirect puppy to this, and you’ll see puppy focus on the permitted chew, as opposed to the illegal chew, and it’ll give pup the texture they’re craving!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Check Price<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Step 2 \u2013 Redirect to appropriate chew toys<\/h3>\n

Then it\u2019s supervision. Supervision and training play vital roles in this process. Keeping a close eye on your puppy allows you to intervene if they start showing interest in inappropriate objects.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The\u00a0biggest and most important part of this\u00a0<\/strong>is to select an appropriate thing to redirect\u00a0to.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Such as, if your dog is chewing your wooden sideboard, redirecting pup to a nylabone? Isn\u2019t really going to work. However, a chew root would be\u00a0perfect. Appropriate toys\u00a0<\/em>and ideally natural chews with non-toxic ingredients is\u00a0much\u00a0<\/em>more preferable to electrical cords!\u00a0<\/p>\n

The idea here is very much to match the texture as closely as possible. It\u2019s much like if you\u2019re craving chocolate cake, if someone tells you to eat a cucumber? It\u2019s probably not going to do the same thing, and you\u2019ll still want chocolate cake.<\/p>\n

This part is allowing the chewing that puppy\u00a0wants\u00a0<\/em>(so it\u2019s inherently rewarding) and teaching them the appropriate things to chew. This way we\u2019re ensuring pup is experiencing\u00a0positive reinforcement.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"replacement
Ideal replacements for matching texture for your puppy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Step 3 \u2013 Repeat & Be Patient<\/h3>\n

Next, keep going. Do it, do it again and again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not easy to keep up your patience, and I know the puppy phase demands so very much of it \u2013 but keep going and redirect. This is honestly the most important step, and it needs to be done\u00a0slowly\u00a0<\/em>and consistently.<\/p>\n

Step 4 \u2013 Give Freedom Slowly<\/h3>\n

As time goes by, you\u2019ll give your pup more freedom. Which means you may not be monitoring them quite as much when they\u2019re learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For this, much like with all of those teaching puppy to be confident alone and crate training, you start with small periods that they\u2019re likely to get right, i.e. whilst you\u2019re cooking perhaps! Or whilst you\u2019re watching TV\u2026 So you\u2019re present, but not paying attention 100%.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then maybe build to more space, such as whilst you\u2019re off in the bathroom, or whilst you pop to the store! It\u2019s all about small steps and managing that exposure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"play
management is critical!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Q \u2013 What do I do if I My Puppy Starts Chewing Again?<\/h3>\n

Take it back a step or two, watch a little more and maybe find an interim step that can bridge the gap at which puppy didn\u2019t succeed. Regression is totally normal and just a simple part of learning to live with a puppy!<\/p>\n

Q \u2013 What About Teaching \u201cDrop\u201d or \u201cLeave it\u201d?<\/h3>\n

The problem with these cues is that they act\u00a0after\u00a0<\/em>the fact. I.e. you have to let puppy do the wrong thing before you can give a new cue. So, truly, this is violating one of the core rules of dog training (truthfully, life\u2026) a pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You also then are exposing the pup to potential resource guarding issues and potentially consuming something unhealthy \u2013 and we always try to prevent potential risks, right? So focus on preventing rather than a remedy cue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u200bQ \u2013 The Chewing Only Happens When I\u2019m Out Of The House Though?<\/h3>\n

We do have to take a little investigating to see if this is an anxious response to your not being home, this may be separation anxiety<\/a>, it may just be that they\u2019ve been given too much freedom too quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re\u00a0ever\u00a0<\/em>unsure, make sure to reach out to a professional trainer<\/a>, separation anxiety<\/a> specialist, behaviourist or vet behaviorist. (N.b. Not your regular practice vet!)<\/p>\n

Remember, Humane Is Always The Best Approach!<\/h2>\n

Choosing a kind and positive approach to train puppies is definitely the way to go. It\u2019s all about building that special bond of trust and understanding with your furry friend, which in turn makes training stick for the long haul.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Using rewards and praise helps puppies learn what behaviors you like, making them more eager to please and repeat those good actions. As opposed to dog chew deterrents that offer a \u201cquick fix\u201d for a new puppy owner. This foul-tasting spray is just not needed, and don\u2019t believe the marketing! There is no such thing as effective anti-chew sprays!<\/p>\n

Positive reinforcement<\/a>, as a whole method, is super important for their mental and emotional health, steering clear of stress, discomfort, confusion and fear. It essentially guides them gently as they grow, helping them become confident, well-behaved dogs without the negative vibes that harsh training can bring. In a nutshell, keeping it positive not only makes training more enjoyable but also strengthens that adorable bond between you and your puppy.<\/p>\n

If you need help avoiding chew deterrent spray, and want a trainer\u2019s help? Get in touch<\/a>! I have tonnes of ways to help.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Ali<\/figure>\n