How To Stop A Dog From Chewing The Fun Way

How to stop a dog from chewing

Much like how human babies explore the world through taste and touch, puppies are always putting things in their mouths. Since puppies only have their mouth for exploration, everything they want to explore goes in those mouths. While typically a few licks are enough to satisfy curiosity, sometimes puppies find a texture they think will be appealing to their teeth. It doesn’t take many teeth marks to ruin a piece of furniture, and a curious teething puppy can quickly destroy your home. All dogs chew to relieve anxiety and relieve boredom, and if your older dog has begun destructive chewing suddenly it is likely that anxiety or boredom is a culprit. For all dogs, chewing is a natural and necessary behavior, and no puppy or dog should feel badly about her chewing. If you provide plenty of chew toys and always supervise your dog outside of a proofed area, your dog will learn that chewing the right way is fun.

Chew Toys

Just like kids, dogs get sick of their toys and want new ones, even if the old ones are still good. Puppies especially crave variety, but even your older dog might get bored and start wondering what a couch would feel like on her teeth. Provide as many chew toys as you can afford, and as great a variety as is safe for your dog’s breed and habits. Some dogs tend to swallow things they shouldn’t, so until you are confident that your dog will only chew and not devour a given toy, she should not be left alone with it. Food-filled or stuffed toys are amazing for occupying your dog or puppy for hours. Many can also be frozen, which can be very soothing for a teething puppy. Natural chews like antlers, horns, and rawhides can provide naturally stimulating chewing, provided your dog does not swallow pieces. Large weight-bearing bones should be avoided, as these can be too hard and wear down your dog’s teeth. It is a good idea to provide some oversized chews, however, as many dogs like to have a heavy chew to lean into.

Remove any toys your dog seems bored of and wash them thoroughly. Wait a month or so and try reintroducing them. Your dog will likely rediscover her enjoyment of them. Dogs vary in the number of toys they will actively pay attention to at one time and having all your dog’s toys available to her may overwhelm her and cause her to lose interest. Make sure you always have a variety available to your dog but cycle out toys of the same type.

Dog Proof Space

Depending on your dog’s chewing tenacity, the dog-proof space can be a room, an exercise pen, or a crate. If your dog has chewed on a door or wall before, observe her behavior with a nanny cam or other device while she is in her crate. If she is chewing out of separation anxiety, in an attempt to get out of the room, she will likely try to chew on the crate as well. A dog with this level of anxiety should not be crated for any amount of time, as it will only increase the anxiety and develop a fear of the crate. If your dog is trying to escape and ignores all chew toys, you will need to work with her on crate training and anxiety, as chewing is only a side effect of a deep and problematic anxiety.

If, on the other hand, your dog seems to be willing to chew on anything, you need only restrict her from the things she is not allowed to chew on until she learns what is appropriate. If your dog has never chewed on walls or doors, you can try dog proofing a room for her. Block furniture with an exercise pen, and make sure no wires are available. Be aware of where your dog can reach by stretching up or jumping, and make sure there is nothing she can get to. Check every time you leave your dog alone to ensure that nothing has been chewed on.

Watch Closely

Whenever your dog is out of her controlled space, watch her closely to see if she seems too interested in anything. Puppies will often go subtly from chewing their toy on the rug to chewing the rug, so pay attention. Dogs who have been reprimanded for chewing before may hide their chewing from you by sneaking into another room or chewing behind furniture. Never reprimand your dog or puppy for chewing, but rather replace the inappropriate object with an appropriate one as close to the texture of whatever was chewed as possible. Encourage your dog to chew on appropriate things frequently, by waving them enticingly or putting some healthy treat spread on them. If you see your dog leave the room to get a toy and bring it in to chew on, encourage her and reward her for this. Such behavior shows that your dog is internalizing what is appropriate for chewing and seeking out that object.

Be Patient

Your dog will likely have relapses, and there will be things you miss. If you find a ruined shoe or chewed chair leg, don’t reprimand your dog, or feel too badly about yourself. Learning to live in a human world is hard for a dog and making an environment that is perfect for your dog is hard for a human. Be patient and consistent, and your dog will learn what she should and should not chew.