Tonya Wilhelm 
How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Everything
How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Everything
Understanding and Managing Destructive Chewing Behavior
If you've ever come home to find your favorite shoes destroyed or furniture legs gnawed beyond recognition, you're not alone. Destructive chewing is one of the most common and frustrating issues dog owners face. While chewing is a natural canine behavior, it becomes problematic when directed toward your belongings.
Understanding why dogs chew and implementing the right strategies can help redirect this behavior to appropriate outlets. This comprehensive guide will help you identify the root causes of destructive chewing and provide practical solutions to protect your home and belongings.
Did You Know?
Chewing releases endorphins in dogs, creating a natural calming effect. This is why many dogs chew when they're anxious or bored.
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Common Reasons for Destructive Chewing
Did You Know?
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, much like human babies use their hands. This natural behavior helps them learn about their environment.
Developmental Stages
Chewing behavior varies significantly depending on your dog's age and developmental stage.
Teething Puppies
Between 3-6 months, puppies lose baby teeth and gain adult teeth. Chewing relieves gum discomfort during this painful process.
Adolescent Exploration
Young dogs between 6-18 months test boundaries and explore their world through chewing, especially during high-energy periods.
Adult Boredom
Adult dogs may chew out of boredom, lack of stimulation, or as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety.
Senior Dogs
Older dogs may chew due to dental pain, cognitive decline, or medical issues that need veterinary attention.
Behavioral and Environmental Factors
Various psychological and environmental factors can trigger or exacerbate chewing behavior.
| Factor | Impact on Chewing Behavior |
|---|---|
| Boredom/Lack of Stimulation | Dogs left alone for long periods without adequate mental or physical exercise |
| Separation Anxiety | Destructive chewing focused on owner-scented items when left alone |
| Attention-Seeking | Dogs learn that chewing inappropriate items gets owner attention |
| Insufficient Exercise | Pent-up energy channeled into destructive behaviors |
| Hunger or Nutritional Deficiency | Dogs may chew non-food items seeking missing nutrients |
| Fear or Stress | Chewing as a coping mechanism during thunderstorms, fireworks, or changes |
Important Note
If your dog's chewing behavior changes suddenly or intensifies, always consult with a veterinarian first to rule out medical causes like dental problems, gastrointestinal issues, or nutritional deficiencies.
Common Chewing Triggers
Understanding what triggers your dog's chewing can help you address the root cause.
Effective Solutions for Destructive Chewing
Important Note
Never punish your dog for chewing after the fact. Dogs live in the moment and won't understand why they're being punished for something they did hours ago. Instead, focus on prevention and redirection.
Management Strategies
Preventing access to inappropriate items is the first step in addressing chewing problems.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Remove tempting items from your dog's reach. Use baby gates to restrict access to certain rooms when unsupervised.
Use Crates Appropriately
Proper crate training provides a safe space and prevents destructive chewing when you can't supervise.
Bitter Sprays
Apply pet-safe bitter apple spray or similar deterrents to furniture legs and other tempting items.
Supervision
Keep your dog leashed to you indoors during training periods to prevent unsupervised chewing.
Providing Appropriate Alternatives
Give your dog acceptable items to chew instead of your belongings.
| Chew Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Rubber Kong Toys | Stuff with treats or peanut butter for extended chewing sessions |
| Dental Chews | Promote dental health while satisfying chewing urges |
| Rope Toys | Good for teething puppies and flossing adult teeth |
| Frozen Washcloths | Excellent for soothing teething puppies' gums |
| Hard Rubber Toys | Durable options for powerful chewers |
| Edible Chews | Bully sticks, rawhide alternatives, and dental bones |
Expert Tip
Rotate your dog's chew toys regularly to maintain novelty. Keep only 2-3 toys available at a time and swap them out weekly to keep your dog interested in appropriate chewing options.
Understanding Different Chewing Types
Key Insight
Not all chewing is created equal. Understanding why and when your dog chews will help you address the specific cause more effectively.
Exploratory Chewing
Common in puppies and young dogs, exploratory chewing helps them learn about their environment. Puppies use their mouths to investigate textures, tastes, and properties of objects. This type of chewing is usually not destructive in intent but can become problematic if directed toward valuable items.
Comfort Chewing
Many dogs chew to relieve anxiety or stress. The rhythmic motion of chewing releases endorphins that have a calming effect. Dogs may chew more during stressful events like thunderstorms, when left alone, or during changes in household routine. Comfort chewing often targets items with their owner's scent, like shoes, remote controls, or pillows.
Boredom Chewing
When dogs don't receive adequate mental and physical stimulation, they may turn to chewing as a way to pass time. Boredom chewing often occurs when dogs are left alone for extended periods without appropriate entertainment. This type of chewing can be the most destructive as dogs may methodically destroy items.
Attention-Seeking Chewing
Some dogs learn that chewing inappropriate items gets immediate attention from their owners. Even negative attention can reinforce this behavior. These dogs often chew in front of their owners and may make eye contact while doing so.
Teething Chewing
Focused on relieving gum pain, puppies seek cool, textured items. Frozen toys are particularly appealing.
Nutritional Chewing
Dogs with dietary deficiencies may chew non-food items seeking missing nutrients.
Habitual Chewing
Some dogs develop chewing as a compulsive behavior, often targeting specific types of objects.
Play Chewing
During excited play, dogs may grab and chew items as part of their playful behavior.
Did You Know?
Some breeds have stronger chewing instincts than others. Retrievers, terriers, and herding breeds often have higher chewing drives due to their working backgrounds.
Training Techniques to Reduce Chewing
Teach the "Leave It" Command
This essential command can prevent your dog from picking up inappropriate items.
Training Tip
Start with a low-value item in your hand. Say "leave it" and close your hand. When your dog stops trying to get it, reward with a high-value treat from your other hand. Gradually increase difficulty by placing items on the floor.
Redirection and Substitution
When you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate, immediately redirect them to an appropriate chew toy.
- Keep appropriate chew toys readily available throughout your home
- When you see your dog chewing something wrong, calmly say "no" or "ah-ah"
- Immediately offer an approved chew toy
- Praise enthusiastically when they take the appropriate toy
- Make the approved toy more appealing by adding treats or using excitement
Environmental Enrichment
Prevent boredom chewing by providing adequate mental stimulation.
Food Puzzles
Use puzzle feeders to make mealtime more engaging and mentally stimulating.
Rotating Toys
Keep a selection of toys and rotate them to maintain novelty and interest.
Training Games
Incorporate short training sessions into your daily routine to strengthen your bond and provide mental exercise.
Scent Work
Hide treats around the house or yard for your dog to find, engaging their natural foraging instincts.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Never use old shoes or household items as toys, as dogs can't distinguish between your old sneakers and new ones. Avoid physical punishment, which can increase anxiety and worsen chewing problems.
Preventing Chewing Problems
Start Early with Puppies
Prevention is always easier than treatment. If you have a puppy, start these practices early:
- Provide appropriate chew toys from day one
- Puppy-proof your home before bringing your puppy home
- Supervise constantly or use confinement when you can't watch
- Teach "leave it" and "drop it" commands early
- Establish consistent routines and boundaries
- Provide plenty of appropriate chewing options
Meeting Your Dog's Needs
A well-exercised and mentally stimulated dog is less likely to develop destructive chewing habits:
Physical Exercise
Ensure your dog gets adequate daily exercise based on their age, breed, and energy level.
Mental Stimulation
Provide daily mental challenges through training, puzzle toys, and novel experiences.
Social Interaction
Regular positive interactions with people and compatible dogs prevent loneliness and boredom.
Did You Know?
Dogs who receive regular mental stimulation show 50% fewer destructive behaviors, including inappropriate chewing, compared to dogs who don't receive adequate enrichment.
Creating a Chew-Friendly Environment
Set your dog up for success by making appropriate chewing easy and rewarding:
| Strategy | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Chew Toy Stations | Keep baskets of approved chew toys in each room your dog frequents |
| Regular Rotation | Swap out toys weekly to maintain novelty and interest |
| Special Chews | Reserve high-value chews for times when you need your dog occupied |
| Positive Association | Make approved toys exciting through play and treat stuffing |
Key Takeaways
Destructive chewing is a common but manageable behavior problem in dogs. The most effective approach involves:
- First ruling out medical causes with a veterinary examination
- Identifying the specific triggers for your dog's chewing
- Managing the environment to prevent access to inappropriate items
- Providing plenty of appropriate chewing alternatives
- Ensuring adequate physical exercise and mental stimulation
- Using positive reinforcement training to teach appropriate behavior
- Being patient and consistent with your approach
Remember that chewing is natural dog behavior - our goal should be redirection rather than complete elimination. With patience and the right approach, most chewing problems can be significantly improved within 4-8 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
This typically indicates separation anxiety or boredom. Start by confining your dog to a safe area with appropriate chew toys when you leave. Provide special toys or treats that your dog only gets when you're gone. Gradually increase the time you're away, and consider using a pet camera to monitor behavior. For severe cases, consult a professional behaviorist.
Yes, some breeds have stronger chewing instincts. Working breeds like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and terriers often have higher chewing drives. Herding breeds may also chew more due to their energy levels and intelligence. However, any dog can develop chewing problems if their needs aren't met, regardless of breed.
The timeline varies depending on the cause, your dog's age, and your consistency with training. Puppies may outgrow much teething chewing by 6-8 months. For adult dogs, most show significant improvement within 4-8 weeks of consistent management and training. The key is addressing the underlying cause rather than just the behavior itself.
Sudden chewing in older dogs can indicate several issues: dental problems causing pain, cognitive decline similar to dementia in humans, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions. A veterinary examination is recommended to rule out medical causes before assuming it's a behavioral issue.
Interrupt calmly with a neutral sound like "ah-ah" or "oops," then immediately redirect to an appropriate chew toy. When your dog takes the approved toy, praise enthusiastically. Avoid yelling or punishment, which can increase anxiety and potentially worsen the behavior. The goal is to teach what TO chew, not just what NOT to chew.
Rawhide has mixed opinions among veterinarians. While many dogs enjoy them, rawhide can pose choking hazards or cause digestive blockages, especially if large pieces are swallowed. Safer alternatives include rubber toys, dental chews specifically designed to be digestible, or natural chews like bully sticks. Always supervise your dog with any chew.
Normal chewing is typically focused on appropriate items and occurs at predictable times (after meals, during play). Anxiety-related chewing often targets owner-scented items, occurs primarily when left alone, and may be accompanied by other signs of stress like pacing, drooling, or destructive scratching. If you suspect anxiety, consult a veterinarian or behaviorist.
References and Further Readings
1- No bones about it: The effect of chewing on cognition in dogs | ScienceDirect
2- Happy dogs make happy humans, and 9 other reasons science says dogs need to chew | Phys.org
3- How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Everything | Zoetis Petcare
4- How to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing | Preventive Vet
5- Why do dogs chew so much? And should we let them? | Phys.org
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