Why Bichon Frisé Do Chew & Controls

Are you a proud Bichon Frisé owner who’s noticed that your furry friend has a tendency to chew on anything in sight? You’re not alone!

Many Bichon Frisés have a natural instinct to chew and are known for their love of gnawing on items. But why do they do it?

In this short and sweet blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind your Bichon Frisé’s chewing habits and provide some tips to keep those teeth occupied.

Why Bichon Frisé Do Chew

Bichon Frisé dogs, like all dogs, may chew things for a variety of reasons.

One common reason is teething, which can cause discomfort and irritation in a puppy’s gums and may lead them to chew on things to relieve the pain.

Additionally, boredom, anxiety, and lack of exercise or mental stimulation can also cause dogs to chew things.

Medical conditions, such as allergies, dry skin, or fungal infections, may also lead a Bichon Frisé to chew on their skin or paws.

It is important to provide appropriate chew toys and outlets for your dog’s natural chewing behavior and to address any underlying medical or behavioral issues that may contribute to excessive chewing.

Reasons behind your Bichon Frisé’s chewing habits

Here are some common reasons behind your Bichon Frisé’s chewing habits and solutions to each:

1. Teething process

During the teething stage, puppies lose their baby teeth and the adult teeth develop.

Chewing eases the discomfort and agony that might result from this procedure.

Give your puppy suitable chew toys made especially for teething pups to help with this.

Gum pain can be relieved by soft toys that can be frozen or by rubber toys.

To assist numb their gums, you may also offer your dog frozen carrots or ice cubes to gnaw on.

When your puppy is chewing on these objects, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t ingest any little pieces.

2. Separation anxiety

Social canines like Bichon Frisés may experience anxiety or anguish if left alone for an extended amount of time.

As a result, chewing excessively may become a coping method.

Consider crate training your dog to help with this issue so they feel safe and comfortable when you’re not home.

Make sure your dog has a nice experience by introducing the crate gradually.

Make sure your dog has access to food, water, and a cozy place to sleep as well as toys and puzzles to keep them interested.

If you want to give some background noise that will calm your dog, think about leaving the radio or TV on.

Learn more about the causes of Bichon Frisé separation anxiety.

3. Boredom

Bichon Frisés are energetic and active dogs, therefore if they don’t have enough stimulation they may get bored and start biting to get it out of their system.

Make sure your Bichon Frisé has enough fun and exercise every day to avoid this.

Take them on walks, play fetch with them, and include them in games and activities that will both mentally and physically tax them.

You can keep them occupied and cognitively stimulated by giving them puzzles and interactive toys.

4. Dental problems

Your Bichon Frisé may chew excessively if they have dental issues like gum disease or a damaged tooth.

Take your Bichon Frisé to the medical professional for a checkup if you think they may have a dental issue.

In order to treat the problem, your veterinarian could advise teeth cleaning, extractions, or other procedures.

Teeth may be kept clean and healthy by giving your dog the right dental chews and toys.

5. Attention seeking

Bichon Frises are sociable dogs who hanker after their owners’ attention.

Your dog could start chewing on items to seek your attention if they don’t receive enough of it.

Make sure you spend enough time with your dog and show them a lot of love and attention to solve this problem.

This can involve regular strolls, games, workouts, and cuddling.

To make sure your dog receives adequate attention and socialization if you have a hectic schedule, think about hiring a dog walker or enrolling your pooch in a dog daycare facility.

Learn more about how to make your Bichon Frisé happy.

6. Fear or anxiety

Your Bichon Frisé may begin chewing on objects as a coping technique if they are terrified or worried.

Find the cause of your Bichon Frisé dog’s fear or anxiety and deal with it appropriately to resolve this.

This might entail behavior modification, desensitization training, or veterinarian-prescribed medication.

Another way to make your dog feel less anxious is to provide them with a secure place to go, like a crate.

7. Curiosity

Bichon Frisés are curious dogs and may chew on things out of curiosity.

If your dog is curiously chewing on objects, give them lots of suitable chew toys and keep an eye on them when they’re exploring new places.

To prevent your dog from chewing on objects you don’t want them to, try spraying bitter apples on them.

Additionally, it’s crucial to puppy-proof your home and keep any noxious or alluring objects out of your dog’s reach.

8. Developed habit

Breaking your Bichon Frisé’s chewing habit might be difficult if the activity has become ingrained.

Give your Bichon Frisé lots of suitable chew toys to help with this, and make sure they get adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

When you notice your Bichon Frisé chewing on something they shouldn’t, redirect their chewing to their toys.

Additionally, you may utilize positive reinforcement training to encourage your Bichon Frisé to chew on the right things.

When trying to overcome a chewing habit, consistency is crucial, so be patient and determined.

9. Hunger

Your Bichon Frisé may chew to satisfy their appetite if they are starving.

Aim to give your dog smaller, more often meals throughout the day and make sure they are getting enough food.

Giving them treats-filled chew toys can also keep them occupied and prevent them from chewing on unsuitable items.

How to stop Bichon Frisé chewing behavior

Excessive chewing behavior in dogs, including Bichon Frisés, can be caused by a variety of factors including boredom, stress, anxiety, teething, or dental issues.

Here are some steps you can take to help stop your Bichon Frisé’s excessive chewing behavior:

1. Provide healthy chewing alternatives: Offer chew toys, bones, and other safe objects for your dog to chew on instead of household items.
2. Offer plenty of exercises: Make sure your dog is getting enough physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent boredom that can lead to chewing.
3. Limit access to chewable items: Keep household items and valuables out of reach of your dog and close doors to rooms you don’t want them in.
4. Seek veterinary advice: If your dog is experiencing health issues like dental problems or allergies, this may lead to excessive chewing. A visit to the vet can help diagnose and treat these issues.
5. Seek professional training: Consider working with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to address any underlying causes of your dog’s chewing behavior and to find a personalized approach to help stop it.

Remember that correcting your Bichon Frisé’s behavior can take time and patience.

Consistency is key in reinforcing positive habits and redirecting negative ones.

Learn more about the causes of depression in Bichon Frisé.

Ways to prevent Bichon Frisé chewing behavior

Here are some common ways to prevent Bichon Frisé chewing behavior:

1. Provide appropriate chew toys: Bichon Frisés have a natural instinct to chew, and it’s important to provide them with safe and appropriate chew toys to satisfy this urge. Choose toys that are durable, non-toxic, and can’t be easily destroyed.
2. Keep your dog entertained: Boredom can be a big factor in destructive chewing behavior, so make sure your Bichon Frisé is mentally and physically stimulated. Take your dog for walks, play with them, and use puzzle toys to keep their minds occupied.
3. Exercise your dog: Regular exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to destructive chewing behavior. Make sure your Bichon Frisé gets enough exercise each day to help tire them out and reduce boredom.
4. Crate train your dog: Crate training can help prevent destructive chewing when you can’t supervise your dog. It also doubles as a safe and comfortable space for your pet.
5. Use positive reinforcement training: Positive reinforcement training focuses on praising and rewarding your dog for good behavior, rather than punishing them for bad behavior. This training can help build trust, reinforce good behavior, and reduce anxiety.
6. Train your pet with commands: Training your pet with basic commands can be beneficial to create effective communication, so your pup understands what you want. A simple “no” or “leave it” command can come in handy when you catch them in the act of chewing on something they shouldn’t.
7. Keep hazardous materials out of reach: Keep hazardous materials such as cleaning products, household chemicals, sharp objects, and electrical cords out of reach of your Bichon Frisé.
8. Address separation anxiety: Separation anxiety can induce destructive chewing behavior. If your dog shows signs of separation anxiety, work with a professional to solve this mental health problem.
9. Seek professional help: If your Bichon Frisé’s destructive chewing behavior is due to a severe underlying condition, such as anxiety or a health problem, seek professional help from a veterinarian or a dog behaviorist. They can help you develop a specific plan to tackle the issue and modify your dog’s behavior.

Learn more about solutions to Bichon Frisé behavior concerns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bichon Frisés are naturally curious and playful dogs with a strong desire to chew.

Whether it’s to alleviate boredom or satisfy their teething instincts, it’s important for owners to provide them with safe and appropriate chew toys to prevent destructive behavior.

With proper training and supervision, your furry friend can enjoy a happy and healthy life while satisfying their natural chewing urges.

So go ahead, spoil your Bichon Frisé with some chew toys, and watch as they happily chew away!