Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Stop your puppy from chewing everything in sight with these easy tricks

Vera Lawlor
By

Visit any home blessed with a puppy, and you’re likely to see table and chair legs that have been gnawed, a TV remote with teeth marks, or slippers with holes. When it comes to housebreaking puppies, it’s not just about toilet training. Your four-legged baby also needs to learn not to chew everything in sight. This is normal behavior for puppies, especially when they are teething, and chewing helps relieve painful gums. The key to peaceful coexistence is to find positive ways to prevent this destructive behavior.

How do I get my dog to stop chewing and eating everything?

Supervise your puppy

Your puppy needs to be supervised when not confined, as it takes only a few seconds for her to get into trouble. Training experts recommend keeping young puppies on a leash when moving around the house. This both helps with toilet training and prevents inappropriate chewing.

Recommended Videos

Confine your puppy when you can’t pay attention

Confine your puppy in a crate when you can’t watch her. Other options include a pen enclosure or gating off a small puppy-proofed area in your home. Give your puppy a chew toy to keep her busy when alone. Never use confinement as a form of punishment; it should be a space where your dog feels safe.

Related

Keep items out of reach

To protect your belongings — and for your puppy’s safety — remove all household items that are within your puppy’s reach. Typical targets for puppy chewing include socks, shoes, slippers, TV remotes, plants, purses, wallets, supplements, eyeglasses, books, and children’s toys. An unattended laundry basket full of clothing is a wonderful discovery for a puppy.

Pup chewing on boot laces.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Use a deterrent spray to protect furniture

When everything else of interest has been removed, puppies won’t hesitate to chew on furniture. The legs of tables or chairs — even couch upholstery — are a common target. You can discourage this behavior by using a spray deterrent such as Bitter Apple.

Give your puppy appropriate chew toys

Some pet parents give their pups old shoes, slippers, or socks as toys. This is a mistake, say training experts at the Humane Society of the United States. It’s confusing for your dog since she can’t distinguish between which shoes and socks she can chew and which are off-limits. Instead, provide her with dog toys. Offering a frozen rubber toy such as a Kong can help soothe a teething pup’s gums.

Comfort her by leaving your scent when she has to be alone

Experts at PetMD recommend rubbing your hand over your puppy’s chew toys before leaving her alone. Smelling your scent can help soothe any tendencies toward separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive chewing.

Teach your dog what it’s OK to chew

If you see your puppy chewing on furniture, say something like “oops” and then use a command such as “leave it.” As soon as she stops and looks at you, give her a treat and lots of praise. If she has something in her mouth that she shouldn’t have, say “drop it” and give her the treat as soon as she obeys. Be sure to redirect your dog to an appropriate chew toy. Never chase after her when she grabs something inappropriate as she will think you’re playing. Instead, call her to you and use the treat exchange method to get her to give up the item.

At what age do dogs stop chewing?

It’s the need to investigate interesting objects and the discomfort of teething that cause puppies to chew so much. Typically, by 6 months of age, a puppy’s baby teeth have fallen out and her adult teeth have grown in, according to the American Kennel Club. While much of the destructive chewing will end around this time, remember that your dog will still enjoy normal chewing. In addition to providing stimulation, chewing helps strengthen a dog’s jaws and clean her teeth. Be sure to have a selection of safe toys on hand for your growing dog.

Pup chewing on a bone.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What causes excessive chewing in dogs?

Dogs who don’t get enough exercise or are left alone too much can resort to excessive chewing to relieve boredom and stress. You can offer mental stimulation by providing at least two walks a day along with short play and training sessions. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may also resort to excessive chewing. Hiring a dog walker to take your buddy on midday adventures can help with this problem. Be sure to provide your dog with a favorite chew toy when home alone. Also, playing soft background music can be calming for some dogs. In severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend calming supplements or medications.     

While it’s easy to get frustrated when your puppy engages in destructive chewing, avoid getting angry. Punishing, scolding, or roughly pulling items from a dog’s mouth can have negative consequences. Instead, remain calm and use positive-motivation training to get your dog to give up the object and then redirect her to a chew toy. It takes time and patience and lots of reinforcement, but in the end, you can enjoy quality time with your dog without worrying about destructive chewing.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
How much water should your puppy drink in a day? Here are the factors to consider
Your dog's water intake depends on their age, size, and breed
Labrador puppy drinking from a bowl

Just like with you, drinking water is essential for your dog's good health. You might be surprised to learn that the cuddly bundle of fur you just welcomed into your home is actually made mostly of water. Among other things, water is an essential part of your puppy’s dietary needs. Even a 10% loss of body water can cause serious health complications. So just as it's crucial to observe the frequency of feeding your puppy, it's also important to make sure they are drinking enough. How much water should a puppy drink? It depends on a few factors.

Ideal water intake for a dog
The ideal water intake for a dog depends on their size and activity level. Most experts agree that, on average, a dog should consume 1 ounce of fluid per pound of body weight each day. That means a 45-pound dog should take in about 5.5 cups of fluid on a daily basis. Lactating mothers and puppies need more, as do dogs who are extremely active or live in hot, humid climates.

Read more
Where to put a dog crate in your house depends on these important factors
Know exactly where to place a dog crate to keep your pet safe, secure, and happy at home
Dog looking through black dog crate

Dogs like to sleep in so many places: in your bed, in their own bed, on a sunny spot on the floor, and in their dog crate, to name a few. But that's not the only thing a crate is helpful for. It can keep your canine friend out of mischief and give you peace of mind when you're out of the house. A dog crate should ideally be a place of security and comfort for your pup (and it can be even better if you personalize it for their own unique needs). Of course, this raises the question of where to put a dog crate.

Have you been Googling something like, "Where to put dog crate?" We've got you covered! Always remember that a dog crate is supposed to create a safe space for your pet, while also assisting in their training, so the way you utilize that space in your home is essential for both of you.

Read more
Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy
Himalayan dog chews are still trendy, but are they safe for your pup?
A close-up shot of a pug standing in the grass with a bone-shaped treat in his mouth

What do blueberries, kale, and broccoli all have in common? In addition to being delicious, all three are superfoods, labeled by the health food world. Unfortunately, there's no federally regulated definition for the term, but Harvard scientists claim food that "offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value" can be labeled superfoods. 

Just like you might add chia seeds to your granola or spirulina powder to your smoothies for additional vitamins and minerals, you also want to make sure your dog's food and treats pack a beneficial wallop. Made famous on Shark Tank, Himalayan dog chews have become one of the most hotly debated treats in the pet food game, which begs the question, "Are Himalayan dog chews as healthy as some people think?"

Read more