Dog Chewing Solutions: Stop Destructive Chewing

Chewing is a natural, necessary behavior for dogs. The goal isn't to stop chewing entirely but to redirect it to appropriate items while protecting your belongings. This guide helps you understand why dogs chew and how to channel this instinct productively.

Why Dogs Chew

Understanding the cause helps you choose the right solution:

Puppy Teething (3-6 months)

• Puppies lose baby teeth and grow adult teeth
• Chewing relieves gum discomfort
• Peak teething usually occurs around 4-5 months
• This phase typically passes by 6-7 months

Exploration and Play

• Dogs explore the world with their mouths
• Young dogs especially "mouth" objects to learn about them
• Texture, taste, and smell provide information
• Chewing is mentally stimulating and enjoyable

Boredom and Excess Energy

• Insufficient exercise or mental stimulation
• Chewing becomes self-entertainment
• Often accompanied by other restless behaviors
• Common in high-energy breeds

Anxiety and Stress

• Separation anxiety is a common cause
• Chewing releases endorphins and reduces stress
• Often focused on items with owner's scent
• May be accompanied by other anxiety signs

Hunger or Nutritional Deficiency

• Dogs on calorie-restricted diets may chew more
• Pica (eating non-food items) may indicate nutritional issues
• Consult your vet if dog eats unusual items

Step 1: Manage the Environment

Prevention is the foundation of solving chewing problems. You can't train your dog if they keep getting rewarded by successfully chewing inappropriate items.

Puppy-Proofing Checklist

• Secure electrical cords: Use cord covers or run behind furniture
• Remove tempting items: Shoes, remote controls, children's toys, books
• Use baby gates: Restrict access to rooms you can't supervise
• Close doors: Keep bedrooms, laundry rooms, and bathrooms closed
• Raise items: Move tempting objects out of reach
• Use storage: Bins, drawers, and closets protect belongings

Crate Training

A crate keeps your dog and belongings safe when you can't supervise:

• Never use the crate as punishment
• Provide appropriate chews in the crate
• Don't crate longer than your dog can handle
• Make the crate a positive, comfortable space

Confinement Areas

For longer periods, consider:

• Exercise pens (x-pens) for contained but not crated space
• A puppy-proofed room (bathroom, laundry room)
• Gated kitchen area with easy-clean floors

Step 2: Provide Appropriate Chewing Outlets

Dogs need to chew. Your job is to make appropriate items more appealing than your furniture.

Types of Safe Chews

Rubber Chew Toys

• Kong Classic: Can be stuffed with treats, frozen for longer lasting
• Kong Extreme: For power chewers (black rubber)
• West Paw Zogoflex: Durable, dishwasher safe, recyclable
• Goughnuts: Safety indicator shows when to replace

Edible Chews

• Bully sticks: Long-lasting, highly digestible
• Yak cheese chews: Hard cheese, lasts a long time
• Dental chews: Greenies, Whimzees, etc.
• Frozen carrots: Great for teething puppies
• Sweet potato chews: Natural, digestible

Chews to Avoid

• Cooked bones: Can splinter and cause internal damage
• Rawhide: Risk of choking and digestive blockage
• Antlers (for some dogs): Can crack teeth in aggressive chewers
• Plastic bones: Can break into sharp pieces
• Too-small items: Choking hazard

Step 3: Supervise and Redirect

Active supervision allows you to teach what's appropriate.

The Redirect Technique

1. Interrupt calmly: Say "Ah-ah" or "Leave it" (no yelling)
2. Remove the item: Take away the inappropriate object
3. Offer alternative: Immediately give an appropriate chew
4. Praise enthusiastically: When they take the appropriate item, praise!
5. Prevent future access: Put the inappropriate item away

Catching Good Behavior

Don't just correct bad choices - reward good ones:

• Notice when your dog chooses appropriate chews
• Offer calm verbal praise: "Good chew!"
• Occasionally drop a treat near them while chewing appropriately
• Make appropriate chewing a positive experience

Step 4: Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation

A tired dog with a satisfied brain chews less inappropriately.

Physical Exercise

• Most dogs need 30-60 minutes of exercise daily minimum
• High-energy breeds may need 1-2 hours
• Mix walking, running, playing, and swimming
• Exercise before leaving dog alone

Mental Stimulation

• Puzzle feeders: Make meals mentally challenging
• Training sessions: 10-15 minutes of training tires the brain
• Sniff walks: Let your dog explore with their nose
• Food-dispensing toys: Kongs, wobble toys, snuffle mats
• Hide and seek: Hide treats or toys around the house

Special Situations

Teething Puppies

Teething discomfort requires special attention:

• Frozen items: Frozen Kongs, frozen wet washcloths, frozen carrots
• Soft rubber toys: Gentle on sore gums
• Rope toys: Wet and freeze for soothing effect
• Expect increased chewing: This phase will pass
• Check mouth regularly: Look for stuck baby teeth or gum issues

Separation Anxiety Chewing

If chewing happens primarily when you're gone:

• Record your dog while away to confirm anxiety
• Consult a veterinary behaviorist for severe cases
• Practice short departures and gradual desensitization
• Consider calming aids (Adaptil, anxiety wraps)
• Don't punish after the fact - dog won't connect punishment to earlier behavior
• Medication may be needed alongside behavior modification

Adult Dogs with No Prior Training

Adult dogs can absolutely learn appropriate chewing:

• Start with management to prevent rehearsal of bad behavior
• Introduce appropriate chews gradually
• Supervise closely and redirect consistently
• Be patient - changing habits takes time
• Increase exercise and mental stimulation

Teaching "Leave It" and "Drop It"

These commands help you intervene before destruction happens.

Teaching "Leave It"

1. Hold a treat in your closed fist
2. Present fist to dog; they'll sniff and paw at it
3. Wait for them to back away or look at you
4. Say "Yes!" and reward from your OTHER hand
5. Add "Leave it" cue once behavior is reliable
6. Progress to treat on floor (covered by hand, then uncovered)
7. Practice with increasingly tempting items

Teaching "Drop It"

1. While dog has a toy, show them a treat
2. When they drop the toy to get the treat, say "Drop it"
3. Give the treat AND return the toy
4. Practice with increasingly valuable items
5. Always trade for something good to build cooperation

Deterrents and Aversion

Deterrents can help but shouldn't be your only strategy:

Taste Deterrents

• Bitter apple spray on furniture and baseboards
• Bitter cherry or citrus sprays
• Reapply regularly as effect fades
• Some dogs learn to tolerate or even like the taste

Physical Barriers

• Furniture covers or protective wraps
• X-pens around tempting items
• Baby gates to restrict room access

What NOT to Do

• Don't punish after the fact: Dogs can't connect punishment to past behavior
• Don't chase your dog: Makes it a fun game
• Don't give old shoes or socks as toys: Dogs can't distinguish old from new
• Don't use physical punishment: Creates fear and damages your relationship
• Don't yell and grab items: Makes you unpredictable and items more valuable
• Don't lock dog away as punishment: Creates negative associations

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult a professional if:

• Chewing is accompanied by signs of severe anxiety
• Dog is ingesting non-food items (pica)
• Consistent management and training show no improvement
• Chewing seems compulsive or self-directed
• There's any aggression around items or food