How to Train a Puppy to Not Chew on Electrical Wires
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Introduction
Puppies like to chew anything they can, even electrical cords! If your puppy is chewing on an electrical cord, they can compromise the insulative coating of the wire and make contact with the conductive materials, resulting in an electric shock to the mouth. While this may deter him from chewing on cords in the future, you would be surprised how often it does not!
More importantly, receiving a shock from a compromised electric cord can result in severe electrical burns to your puppy's mouth, requiring veterinary attention. Even worse, a severe enough shock can be fatal to your new puppy. Even if your puppy does not manage to shock himself, chewing on electrical cords will soon become expensive, as electrical appliances are ruined by this dangerous habit.
Puppies chew for a variety of reasons. Like all babies, including human ones, when their teeth are coming in they experience discomfort that is relieved by chewing. Also, puppies are curious, and they have not yet figured out what tastes good and what is good to chew, so they are constantly investigating. Dogs and puppies also chew to strengthen teeth and gums, or to relieve boredom or anxiety. Puppies are easily bored or become anxious when left alone and taking precautions to avoid your young dog becoming injured from inappropriate chewing is necessary.
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Defining Tasks
It is imperative that your puppy not chew electrical cords that could result in serious injury or even death from electrocution if he bites into an electrical wire. Because this is critical, supervising your puppy and preventing him from having access to wires is important. There are several strategies to keep wires away from puppy until he learns to leave them alone as he matures, including moving or covering wires or creating a safe wire-free zone for puppy. During training, you will want to provide alternatives, distract your puppy from wires, create a negative association with chewing on electrical wires, and create a command you can use to instruct your puppy to leave wires alone. A 'leave it' command can be used to direct your puppy not only to leave wires alone, but can be applied to lots of other dangerous or unsavory items he may be motivated to chew on, and is useful in a variety of situations.
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Getting Started
You will want to ensure you have treats on hand to reward leaving wires alone and redirect your puppy away from wires. When teaching your puppy to “leave it”, treats of varying value can be used to establish the command. Alternatives such as chew toys and rawhide bones can be used to meet puppies' chewing needs and will be useful in redirecting behavior. During training, it will be important to make sure puppy doesn't accidentally have access to or chew wires. Covering wires or investing time in moving, unplugging, and putting wires out of reach is important for your dog's safety.
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The Leave It Method
Most Recommended
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Most Recommended
2 Votes
Present closed hand
Hold a low value treat, like regular dry dog kibble in a closed hand and present it to your puppy.
Introduce 'leave it'
As your puppy investigates your hand with the kibble, say “leave it”, ignore his attempts to reach the treat. Keep your hands closed. When your puppy gives up, repeat “leave it”, and provide a high value treat from your other hand. Repeat several times.
Use open hand
Present a low value treat in your open hand. When your puppy approaches, say “leave it”, If your puppy hesitates, immediately supply a high value treat from your other hand. If he approaches the low value treat, close your hand, repeat “leave it”. Practice until your puppy is leaving the treat in response to the command.
Leave treats out
Start leaving kibble around the house and using the “leave it” command to teach your puppy to leave the kibble, when he complies, provide a better treat.
Apply to wires
Supervise your puppy around electrical wires. When he approaches a wire, say “leave it”, when he hesitates, reward him. Continue supervising and rewarding your puppy for leaving electric wires until your puppy is complying to the 'leave it' command.
The Deter Method
Effective
1 Vote
Effective
1 Vote
Contain puppy
Keep your puppy away from cords when unsupervised by using a crate, or creating a safe play area with barriers, where there are no wires present.
Remove cords
Remove the opportunity by putting cords up out of reach, unplugging appliances and coiling up cords, or using painter's tape or duct tape to elevate cords out of reach.
Use taste deterrent
Make sure there are no cracks or breaches in electrical cords that will allow liquid in, and cover or spray cords with foul tasting deterrent. Deterrent is available at pet stores, but can also be made with a combination of lemon juice, cayenne pepper and water.
Use aluminum foil
Unplug wires and wrap in aluminum foil. When your puppy goes to chew on the cord he will get a harmless shock, an unpleasant sensation, but because the cord is unplugged he will not be in danger of electrocution.
Make a noise
Supervise your puppy and whenever he approaches wires or electric cords, make a loud noise with a whistle or a can full of marbles or rocks to startle him, and say “no” in a loud, firm voice.
The Redirect Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Prevent accidents
Supervise your puppy whenever he is around electrical cords. Keep him separate from cords by moving them, or containing him when you are unable to supervise, like at night when you are sleeping or when you are out of the house.
Distract
When your puppy approaches an electrical cord, call his name, get his attention, and toss a chew toy in the opposite direction.
Reward
When your puppy retrieves the appropriate chew item, say “yes” and praise him.
Repeat
Repeat directing your puppy away from electrical cords with alternative chew items, play, and praise.
Reward avoiding cord
When you “catch” your puppy approaching an electrical cord and then hesitating on his own. Say “yes”, praise him, and throw a big treat party to reward your puppy for leaving the cord alone.
Written by Laurie Haggart
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 04/11/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Sasha
Australian Shepherd
7 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog continually jumps on everyone, especially my husband and toddlers. I've been working with her on down but she gets so excited she doesn't hear anything, she just keeps jumping.
June 10, 2022
Sasha's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Melissa, I would start by keeping a drag leash on pup when you are home to ensure it won't get caught on something. Check out the article I have linked below. Your husband can work on the Step Toward method and the Leash method, stepping on the drag leash. For your kiddos, I would involve them in your training, practicing the leash method with your foot on the leash when pup does to jump - so pup is corrected before they reach the toddlers - to keep the kiddos safe, then the kiddos can practice tossing pup a treat if they sit after, so pup learns to sit for them too. Step Toward and Leash Pressure methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump I would also teach pup Out - once pup has learned what that command means through teaching with treats like the article below describes, then I would also use the section on how to use out to deal with pushiness, to enforce Out on behalf of your kids - so pup learns respect and boundaries with them as an extension of their respect for you. Most of these method utilize body language to teach at least half of the training, so pup learns to respond to your body language and how close you are to them even when they aren't listening well with ears. Out - sections on how to teach out, and how to use out to deal with pushiness https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 13, 2022
Korra
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
7 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Currently Korra will not stop chewing cords. Any cords. Phone chargers, fan cords, tv cords, any thing that is long too. Like shoelaces even. I’ve tried the deterrent spray, doesn’t work. I just need help
Aug. 27, 2021
Korra's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
253 Dog owners recommended
Hello! Since you have tried deterrent sprays with no success, here are some other tips. Train your dog to leave it. The “leave it” command is helpful, powerful, and versatile. It can apply to both moving and non-moving objects either indoors or outdoors. https://www.rover.com/blog/teaching-your-dog-a-super-strength-leave-it-command/ Watch and redirect your dog’s interest. If your dog is a fan of a power cord that you can’t relocate, try to divert his or her attention. Supervise, catch your dog in the act of nibbling the cord, and give your dog an enticing alternative like a bully stick. Give your dog chewing options. Along the same lines of redirecting your dog’s interest in power cords, Vetstreet advises presenting your dog with a few different choices for his or her gnawing entertainment. A bully stick might stimulate for a while, but your dog may lose interest. Try interactive toys. You can fill many of them with treats or peanut butter, which is both exciting and rewarding for your pal. Just be careful of toys that may pose a choking hazard, like plush ones with stuffing and squeakers.
Aug. 27, 2021