As a professional dog trainer, I would look at medical issues, the length of the problem, and onset. Is this a puppy "suckling behavior" gone awry that never ended? Further, I would want to know: Is this a new or old habit brought on by physical or emotional stress.

If this is a new habit, I would consult the vet and see if something medically has shifted, especially with an eight year old dog. Eight is the magical age for health related issues to appear. Many dogs have thyroid and other hormonal imbalances that create stress, anxiety and fears. Chewing is a natural behavior, but excessive chewing can be a sign of either medical (perhaps a dental problem such as a loose tooth or abscess) or mental distress. Further, has something changed: Did you move? or perhaps is there a new dog or baby in the house that could be causing the behavior?

If this is an old habit, I would make sure the foundation of my dog's good health were addressed first: Exercise, Diet, Proper Chew Items and mental stimulation (play or training).

Exercise is essential. Dogs are tough. Even your Chihuahua is a wolf in petite dog's clothing and needs to be exercised like a real dog. I would do 2 major, brisk exercise walks a day and start working towards mileage. It's also good for the human!

Diet: Dried foods simply do not provide the nutrition necessary to satiate many dogs. If dogs are not satiated, they are constantly needing something in their mouth to be orally satisfied and can develop a fixation with cloth. Ultimately, I would feed the dog a "fresh food diet" consisting of meat and vegetables. If this can't be done, I would slowly introduce a grainless dry food diet and start adding steamed vegetables, boiled chicken and perhaps a bit of plain yogurt.

Proper Chew items. Dogs need to chew. It helps them release endorphins which in turn relieves stress. Also, it keeps their teeth clean. Dogs are satisfied when chewing real animal products such as the giant marrow bones (also known as a beef soup bone) available at the butcher or supermarket. If your dog is not used to real food, then it may be necessary to par boil the bone for 2 minutes and remove some of the marrow at first so as not to cause digestive distress. No other types of bones are safe.

Mental stimulation: When people are told to "get a life" - dogs too need to "get a life". Many dogs have nothing to think about all day while we are at work. Ultimately, none of us do well with a "couch potato" life or in the case of Chihuahua's, a lap potato life. Dogs fed dry foods, not exercised properly or at all, and not trained or mentally stimulated, often have behavioral issues, such as chewing, barking, whining, begging, etc. behaviors. Your Chihuahua is a real dog with a fantastic brain. You could clicker train this little dog to do almost anything imaginable. I have worked with dogs older than 8 in training class and it was miraculous to see what was "inside" just waiting to be brought out. If your dog is a "player" then play you must - a good game of fetch is fabulous. If your dog doesn't play, then maybe he/she needs a walk to get off the weight. Play is a form of hunting and overweight dogs simply do not hunt! My 3.5 pound Pomeranian eventually played when I got weight off of her.

Once a few of those factors are in place - I would look to the psychological issues at hand and ask the following questions: Does the dog do this when you are home, or away? When he/she is stressed or upset. Only when kids are around or when bored or hungry? If the dog does this only when you are away, then you need to look at separation anxiety issues. There are dozens of articles written on separation anxiety by a host of behaviorists. You can google for indepth solutions but here are a few quick tips.

-No prolonged hello's or goodbye's -Teach the dog to be separate from you in the house while you are home: You can practice with a babygate. -Teach the dog to chew proper chew items while you are home -Leave the dog in a gated area with proper chew items when you leave, making sure that you have accustomed the dog to this area prior to your leaving by staying with the dog on and off in that area. -Don't allow the dog access to the preferred cloth items.

If nothing here appeals, or applies, consult with a professional behaviorist or trainer and a good old fashioned local vet in your area.

All the best!

Lori Sash-Gail Positive Training Pet Photographer www.thedogsite.org www.lorisash-gail.com