Dog Chewing Glasses? Here’s EXACTLY What to Do + How to Stop It!
Sick of finding your expensive glasses covered in your dog’s slobber or chew marks? In today’s article, you’ll learn how to put an end to this destructive habit, the issues ultimately behind it, and the potential dangers for your four-legged friend.
Plus, we’ll explore whether your dog will eventually outgrow this behavior. I’m sure you’re looking forward to not worrying about this anymore, so let’s not delay any further and get started on our article “Dog Chewing Glasses? Here’s EXACTLY What to Do + How to Stop It” below!
How to Stop Dog Chewing Glasses
To stop dog chewing your glasses:
- Keep your glasses hidden away or stored somewhere that your dog can’t get to them.
- Ensure your dog always has available a safe outlet for chewing like a chew toy.
- Spray something to deter them, like a 50/50 mix of water and distilled white vinegar onto a cloth and wipe the non-lens parts of your glasses with it.
- The scent will go away after sixty minutes, but your dog will continue to be repelled.
- Give a calm but firm “no” or “stop” immediately when you catch your dog is once again chewing on your eyeglasses.
- Don’t scream or get angry, because if they’re acting like this due to anxiety (which is incredibly likely), this will only make their problems worse.
- Place them into a quick time-out in a closed-off room or their crate for around ten minutes.
- If you see your dog beginning to go for your glasses again, redirect them to a toy.
- Reward them with a treat, praise, and pets when they select their toy instead of chewing on your glasses.
- Be sure that everybody in the home is also going by these procedures.
- Be consistent and patient.
These steps should help you make a lot of progress with getting your dog to stop chewing your glasses, but you still need to address the fact that they ever thought this was an appropriate response to any feelings of anxiety they were experiencing.
And for us to properly go over that, we must first discuss what makes dogs function and has for thousands and thousands of years now. You’ve likely heard before that all dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.
But every time that your dog chews your glasses, they are clearly showing you that they don’t respect you as the head of the family pack.
If they did, they wouldn’t chew on your glasses then ignore you when you tell them to stop. They wouldn’t engage in any other types of dominance or anxiety-related misbehavior. And they would obey your commands as soon as they’re given, and they would do so happily.
Prove to your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a capable one who must be respected, and you’ll make all of these wonderful changes your reality.
You’ll win for obvious reasons. But your dog will be the real winner here because you’ll have freed them from all of the worry and confusion that their anxiety or dominance problems are currently saddling their little shoulders with every moment of every day.
Sounds like a terrific thing, don’t you agree?
“Sure, absolutely, but how am I supposed to do this then?”
You should watch a wonderful free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this very subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In Dan’s series, he explains absolutely everything in ways that are very easy to follow and teach to your own dog, and he gets immediately to the point so that you can start seeing these important changes in your dog before things get any worse.
Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And no, you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your dog. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching methods at all times. Not just because they’re the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.
Why Do Dogs Chew on Glasses?
Dogs chew on glasses primarily due to anxiety, boredom, and teething. Anxious dogs might chew on glasses as a way to self-soothe and relieve stress. This behavior could be triggered by factors such as separation anxiety, changes in their environment, or even unfamiliar scents on your eyewear. As a result, your precious glasses become an unintended victim of your dog’s coping mechanism.
Bored dogs may chew on glasses as a form of entertainment, seeking out new textures and sensations to keep them engaged. Leaving glasses within their reach can easily tempt them, especially if they have nothing else to do. When dogs don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation, they may resort to destructive behaviors, including chewing on items they shouldn’t.
Lastly, teething is another reason why dogs may chew on glasses. When puppies are teething, they experience discomfort and may chew on objects to alleviate the pain. As their adult teeth come in, they seek out items to chew on to help ease the pressure and irritation in their gums. Glasses can be an attractive option, especially since they’re often left within easy reach and have an appealing texture for young pups.
Putting your glasses in a secure location away from your dog’s reach is a smart preventative measure, but keep in mind that it doesn’t address the root cause of the issue. Your dog will simply find alternative objects to destructively chew on to soothe their discomfort.
Your dog may also chew up your AirPods, chew up your jewelry, chew up your car keys, or even chew up your pens and pencils. Virtually any personal item is at risk. It’s imperative to tackle the problem at its source. To learn the exact steps to achieve this, go back to the first section of this article now where we’ll explain everything.
Is Chewing on Glasses Dangerous for Dogs?
Chewing on glasses is dangerous for dogs. The first risk involves the ingestion of small parts, such as screws or nose pads, which can lead to choking hazards or gastrointestinal blockages. These complications may require emergency veterinary care, and in severe cases, surgery might be necessary to remove the foreign objects.
Secondly, dogs can also accidentally break the glasses, creating sharp edges and shards of glass or plastic that can cause injuries. If your dog chews on broken glasses, they could suffer from cuts and lacerations inside their mouth, esophagus, or digestive tract. These injuries might not be immediately apparent, but they can lead to severe pain, infection, and other complications if left untreated.
Moreover, the act of chewing on glasses can also damage your dog’s teeth, particularly if they are biting down on hard materials like metal or plastic frames. This can result in chipped, fractured, or broken teeth, which can be painful and may necessitate dental treatment.
Finally, chewing on glasses poses a risk not only to your dog but also to your eyewear. Repeated incidents can lead to costly repairs or the need to replace your glasses altogether. In addition, if your glasses are essential for your vision, you could find yourself in a difficult situation if your dog destroys them, leaving you without a necessary tool for daily life.
Will My Dog Grow Out of Chewing My Glasses?
Dogs will grow out of chewing your glasses if it’s due to teething. Once their adult teeth are fully developed, the urge to chew on objects for relief should subside. However, if your dog chews your glasses for other common reasons like anxiety or boredom, then it’s no guarantee that they will grow out of the behavior.
Your dog receives pleasing endorphins from chewing, so it’s very possible for them to learn to enjoy the behavior even after the problem that caused them to begin in the first place (teething, stress, boredom) has been handled. That’s why you need to address their disobedience at its root. Go back to the first section now where we cover that.
In summary, the reasons dogs chew on glasses include anxiety, boredom, and teething. This behavior can be dangerous for your dog, as it may lead to the ingestion of small parts, injuries from broken glasses, or dental damage. Some dogs may grow out of this habit, especially if it’s related to teething.
However, addressing the underlying causes of anxiety and boredom is essential in helping your dog develop healthier behaviors. By providing a supportive environment, adequate mental and physical stimulation, and consistent training, you can minimize the risk of your dog chewing on your glasses and help them lead a happier, healthier life.
Best of luck with everything, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Chewing Glasses? Here’s EXACTLY What to Do + How to Stop It!”