To stop a dog from destructive chewing, combine strict environmental control with immediate redirection to safe chew toys, alongside daily physical and mental exercise. Manage your home by confining unsupervised dogs, apply taste deterrents to fixed objects, and reward your dog every time they choose an appropriate chew item.
Why do dogs chew destructively?
Chewing is an instinctual behavior for dogs of all ages. It serves as a tool for physical exploration, dental relief, stress release, and mental engagement. Understanding the specific reason behind your dog’s habit allows you to address the cause rather than simply reacting to damaged household items.
Puppy teething
Puppies explore their world with their mouths. From 3 to 6 months, puppies experience intense teething. Milk teeth fall out then permanent adult teeth break through gums. This causes gum inflammation and discomfort. Chewing provides physical pressure. This temporarily relieves pain. For pet owners searching for “how to stop dog chewing”, understanding this is key.
Boredom and excess energy
Dogs that do not receive sufficient physical exercise or mental engagement turn to self-entertainment. Household objects like wooden furniture legs, leather shoes, remote controls, and sofa cushions offer interesting textures and scents. When left alone without dedicated tasks, chewing becomes a primary outlet for pent-up physical and mental energy.
Stress, frustration, and separation anxiety
Chewing releases endorphins in a dog’s brain. This helps them soothe stress. Dogs with separation anxiety chew items with their owner’s scent. These include unwashed clothing, shoes, or bedding. They also chew around entryways, doors, and window sills. This is an attempt to escape or rejoin their owner. For guidance on how to stop dog chewing, address these triggers.
Attention-seeking behavior
If picking up a shoe or gnawing on a rug results in you running toward your dog, calling their name, or chasing them, your dog learns that chewing gets your immediate attention. Even negative attention, such as scolding, can act as a reward for a dog seeking interaction.
Four steps to stop destructive chewing
Stopping unwanted chewing requires a consistent, multi-step approach that combines prevention, redirection, and habit building.
- Dog-proof your home environment. Remove all temptingly accessible items from ground level. Keep shoes inside closed closets, store TV remotes on high shelves, tie up loose electrical cords, and keep laundry baskets off the floor. When you cannot supervise your dog directly, place them in a safe space such as a crate, a puppy-proofed room, or an exercise playpen.
- Interrupt and redirect in real time. When you catch your dog actively gnawing on a forbidden object, interrupt the behavior calmly without shouting or chasing them. Make a short sound like a quiet clap or a cheerful whistle. The instant they drop the object or turn toward you, offer an approved chew toy. Praise them enthusiastically as soon as they bite into the proper toy.
- Increase daily physical and mental stimulation. A tired dog is far less likely to seek out destructive outlets. Provide 30 to 60 minutes of daily physical exercise tailored to your dog’s age and breed. Supplement walks with brain work such as snuffle mats, treat-dispensing puzzle toys, and 5-minute training sessions. See Shih Tzu Canine Care, Health Traits, and Breed Needs for indoor enrichment ideas.
- Apply taste deterrents to immovable items. Spray furniture legs, baseboards, and door frames with a bitter taste spray, such as bitter apple or citrus spray. Apply the spray daily to maintain its potency. Always test a small hidden patch of fabric or wood first to ensure the spray does not cause staining.
Comparing chew toy materials and safety
Not all chew toys are suitable for every dog. Matching the material to your dog’s jaw strength and chewing style prevents dental injury and intestinal blockages.
| Material Type | Popular Examples | Best For | Safety Risks & Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durable Rubber | KONG Classic, KONG Extreme | Moderate to heavy chewers, treat stuffing | Very safe; select correct size to prevent swallowing or choking. |
| Synthetic Nylon | Nylabone, Benebone | Aggressive chewers, power biters | Very durable; check regularly for sharp flaking edges that can slice gums. |
| Natural Edible Chews | Bully sticks, yak cheese chews | Puppies, moderate chewers | Digestible; high in calories and must be supervised to avoid choking on small stubs. |
| Antlers & Hard Bones | Split elk antlers, beef marrow bones | Experienced adult chewers | Extremely hard; risk of slab fractures on premolars and broken teeth. |
| Soft Plush & Fabric | Fleece toys, rope toys | Gentle chewers, fetch play | High risk of ingestion; threads can cause severe linear intestinal blockages. |
How to tackle puppy chewing and teething
Puppy chewing cannot be stopped entirely because teething is a physical necessity. Instead, management revolves around relieving discomfort and establishing strong habits early.
Provide a variety of cold or textured items to numb sore gums. Rubber chew toys filled with wet puppy food or plain dog-safe peanut butter and frozen solid provide sustained cooling relief. Also, wetting a clean washcloth, twisting it into a rope shape, and freezing it offers an economical, soothing alternative under direct supervision.
Early routine management is essential. Crate training helps structure puppies. Also, a predictable feeding and practical outdoor schedule prevents bad habits. This helps with how to stop dog chewing. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) advises on treats. Edible chews must fit caloric allowance. This avoids nutritional imbalances.
What not to do when your dog chews
Inappropriate corrections often worsen chewing problems or create fear-based behavioral issues.
- Do not punish your dog after the fact. Finding a destroyed shoe hours after the chewing occurred is too late. Dogs connect corrections only to what they are doing at that exact moment. As a result, punishing a dog after the event creates confusion and fear.
- Do not yell, chase, or grab objects aggressively. Chasing a dog that has taken a shoe turns the situation into an exciting game of chase. Aggressively prying open their mouth can trigger resource guarding, leading to growling or biting.
- Do not offer old household items as toys. Giving your dog old shoes, socks, or ripped towels teaches them that footwear and linens are acceptable playthings. Dogs cannot distinguish between an old shoe and a new leather boot.
- Do not rely solely on bitter sprays. Taste deterrents work only as a temporary boundary. However, without providing an attractive alternative chew item, your dog will simply move to an untreated object.
How to tell if chewing is caused by separation anxiety
Destructive chewing driven by separation anxiety differs significantly from boredom chewing. Boredom chewing happens intermittently whenever a dog finds an interesting object. Separation anxiety chewing follows a distinct pattern.
Key indicators of separation anxiety chewing include:
- Destruction occurs almost exclusively within 20 to 30 minutes after you leave the house.
- Chewing focuses on exit points, including front doors, door frames, window sills, and blinds.
- Objects heavily scented with your sweat, such as worn shoes, unwashed laundry, or pillows, are targeted.
- Chewing is accompanied by incessant barking, howling, pacing, drooling, or accidents near exit doors.
Mild distress can often be mitigated by giving your dog a high-value frozen treat puzzle strictly as you depart, removing it as soon as you return. However, severe separation anxiety requires structured desensitization protocols. For information on how to stop dog chewing, consult a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) to build an individual treatment plan.
Sources: Bonn–Oberkassel dog
Frequently asked questions
At what age do puppies stop chewing?
Puppies typically stop intense teething-related chewing between 6 to 8 months of age as their adult teeth fully settle into the jaw. However, chewing continues into adulthood as a normal daily activity for comfort and stimulation, requiring long-term access to appropriate chew toys.
Does bitter apple spray really work to stop dogs from chewing?
Bitter apple spray works well for many dogs by making surfaces taste foul, but it is not universally effective. Some dogs tolerate or even like the taste, so the spray must always be combined with redirection to safe toys.
What are the best chew toys for dogs that destroy everything?
For aggressive chewers, dense rubber toys like the KONG Extreme or solid synthetic nylon chews like Nylabones are best. Always select the largest size appropriate for your dog’s mouth to prevent accidentally swallowing small broken pieces.
Can a dog chew too much?
Excessive chewing can cause dental wear, fractured teeth, or inflamed gums if the chews offered are too hard. Swallowing non-food pieces also risks life-threatening gastrointestinal blockages that require immediate emergency surgery.
How can I stop my dog from chewing furniture specifically?
Stop furniture chewing by applying a bitter deterrent spray directly to table and chair legs, keeping your dog tethered or crated when unsupervised, and immediately swapping furniture for an enticing stuffed rubber toy whenever chewing begins.
Is it normal for an older dog to start chewing again?
Sudden new chewing habits in senior dogs are not typical and often signal underlying problems. For example, dental pain, gastrointestinal issues, increased anxiety, or cognitive dysfunction syndrome warrant a thorough checkup from your veterinarian.
Source: Britannica.
