Why Do Dogs Chew Their Nails?

Nail chewing and biting is not standard dog behavior and could be a cause for concern, according to Dr. Page Wages at the Oberlin Animal Hospital. Boredom, anxiety, poor grooming, allergies and infections are common causes for the chewing habit, and should be addressed quickly to ease the dog’s distress. Some causes can easily be resolved by a trip to the pet store for allergy sensitive food and toys, while other conditions will require a prescription by a veterinarian.

Allergies

• Food and outdoor allergies can lead to nail biting in dogs. Allergies to grass, pollen and other outdoor items may be irritating the dogs paws and nails. Additives to the dog’s diet may also be causing discomfort, including corn. Chewing the nails is a way dogs relieve their itchy sensation. Allergy sensitive foods, including those without corn, are available at large pet retailers. Veterinarians can provide a prescription to ease the symptoms of outdoor allergies.

Infection

• If a nail is injured, and the wound is exposed, infection may result. If the area around the dog’s nails appears red, swollen, tender to the touch or is seeping, it may be infected. Dogs will chew the area to relieve the pressure and itchy feeling. An antibiotic is required to cure the infection, so a trip to the vet is necessary

Anxiety

• Leaving dogs alone can cause anxiety behaviors for some. Chewing nails, defecating in the house and destructive behavior are common signs of anxiety. Crate or kennel the dog when he will be left alone in the home. Dogs are den animals by nature, and need to feel secure. Consider leaving a radio or TV on so the dog can hear human interaction, and supply him with a few chew toys to ease his need to gnaw.

Boredom

• Stimulating a dog’s senses is essential. Exercise, playtime, talking and training are all essential. A bored dog will become destructive to himself and his surroundings. Nail biting is a common sign of boredom. Supply the pet with interactive play toys when dog or human interaction isn’t possible.

Poor Grooming

• Some dogs chew on their nails simply because they need to be trimmed. Visit the vet’s office, a grooming salon or invest in a dog nail clippers. The nails should be kept trimmed to just above the quick. Have a vet or grooming salon show you how to do this task if you wish to maintain the dog’s nails at home. Overgrown nails lead to cracks, chips and more nail chewing from your dog.

How to Stop a Dog From Barking All the Time

A dog that persistently barks is not only annoying, but a punishable offense in some states. Nuisance barking bothers you, your neighbors and is a possible sign of stress within your dog. Fortunately, there are ways to silence the barking, while keeping your pooch happy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Determine why your dog is barking. Boredom or loneliness can cause your pooch to bark incessantly while you are away. Consider enrolling your dog in daycare for adequate stimulation and company. If barking arises when you sit and watch TV, it is likely because your pooch wants your attention. Be aware of the times and occurrences that set off the barking and you can find the cause for the noise.

   • 2

     Ignore your dog when it barks. Yelling, punishing and scolding your dog only reinforces the behavior, as you are giving it attention. Dogs will do what they can to receive attention from their owners, even if it is negative. By not paying attention to the pooch, you are teaching it that when it barks, it receives nothing from you. Eventually, your dog will likely realize this trend and stop the barking.

• 3

  Place a treat in front of the dog’s nose when it is barking. The dog will likely sniff the treat and will become silent, sometimes only for a second. During this time, say “quiet,” then give the dog the treat. By doing this, you are rewarding the dog for its silence and not the barking, while also teaching it a command. Extend the amount of time before you give the dog the treat each time you practice this training. Only reward the dog if its stays silent during the time. Stop giving the treat after a few sessions and attempt to silence the dog merely by giving the command.

• 4

  Exercise your dog. Some dogs will use barking as a means to exert their pent-up energy. Walk or jog with your dog, take it to a dog park or enroll it in agility courses to give it exercise. Once the dog’s energy is spent, it may not feel the need to bark.

• 5

  Place a citronella collar on the dog. Citronella collars hold a box that contains a citrus-smelling spray. When the dog barks, the box omits a squirt of citronella into its face. The spray doesn’t hurt the dog, but it is quite alarming. Your dog will soon learn that barking results in a spray to the face and will likely avoid this action. Depending on your dog, you might not have to use the collar to stop the barking after some time.

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