Be accountable for your personal property. Don’t make something available to your dog if you don’t want them to eat it. Keep your dog’s reach away from things like shoes, books, trash, eyeglasses, and remote controls. The easiest method to avoid errors is to store rubbish in a cabinet or block off places with alluring objects.
Give your dog toys that can be distinguished from everyday objects. Don’t make them confused by giving them socks and shoes as toys and then expecting them to tell the difference between your shoe and theirs.
Until your dog is constantly chewing on suitable objects, keep an eye on them. Keep them on a leash with you at all times within the house so they can’t make a mistake away from your sight, or restrict their access to only a few rooms. Select a dog-proof “safe area” and offer fresh water and “safe” toys. You can also confine your dog to their crate for brief periods of time if they have been trained to do so. Never use crates as a form of punishment; instead, make sure your dog feels safe inside of them. Baby gates and exercise pens are additional useful items.
Make sure your dog gets a lot of mental and physical exercise. Your dog will find something to occupy itself if they are bored. However, a weary dog is a good dog, so make sure they engage in plenty of mental and physical activity. Based on their age, health, and breed features, the appropriate quantity of exercise should be given. Sniffing will be more enriching for your dog than trying to power walk two miles without stopping, even though daily walks and other outside activities are essential for their wellbeing. An good option for high-energy pups that love the company of other dogs is a well-run dog daycare.
Include toys in your daily activities. Instead of using bowls, give them puzzle toys or Kong-style toys filled with their kibble. For chewers who are more experienced, fill the puzzle toy’s openings with peanut butter or canned cheese and freeze it overnight before offering it to them. And make sure to rotate your dog’s toys—chewing on novelty objects is much more entertaining for him than doing it with the same old toy from last year. When you need to keep your dog busy, pull some toys out from hiding.
If you notice your dog chewing on something inappropriate, exchange it for a toy that is suitable. Keep high-value snacks on available to trade it out for if the thing they choose is so much fun they won’t give it up. You can add the command “give” as their cue to release the object in exchange for the treat as soon as your dog grasps this concept. Taking things away from your dog’s mouth can make them develop guarding instincts or make them flee when you need to get something back.
Try freezing a rubber toy for your puppy if they are teething; the cold rubber will help to relax their gums. Always keep an eye on your puppy to prevent any swallowed fragments from being chewed.
Make items that your dog finds unpleasant. To make furniture and other items tasteless, a taste deterrent (like bitter apple) can be applied to them. When using one of these deterrents for the first time, be careful to watch your dog. Even if an object is coated in a flavor repellent, some dogs will still chew it. Be advised that some of these deterrents need to be applied again in order to remain effective.
If your dog runs after a grabbed thing, don’t chase after them. You are simply giving your dog what they want if you chase them. It’s exciting to be pursued by their human! Call them over instead, and give them a reward.
Possess reasonable expectations. Your dog will unavoidably chew something you value at some point; this is frequently a part of adjusting to a new house. Your dog needs some time to figure out where to get the right chew toys and what they are. Set them up for success by taking safety measures and keeping things out of their reach.
How can I prevent my dog from chewing on the furniture?
A spray bottle should contain 2 parts apple cider vinegar and 1 part white vinegar. Shake the bottle to blend. homemade puppy chew spray Spray on the chewing area of the puppy to stop them from gnawing further.
Puppy Teething
Similar to young children, puppies go through a stage in which they lose their baby teeth and feel discomfort as their adult teeth erupt. As a result, the stage of intense chewing normally ends by the time the puppy is six months old.
When a puppy is teething and prone to chewing furniture, several remedies include:
- supplying ice cubes to the dog
- Can be frozen dog toys
- To gnaw on frozen wet clothes
The pain from the teeth that are coming through will be lessened and numbed by giving the puppy something cool to chew. To teach the puppy what objects are appropriate and inappropriate to chew on, gentle instruction can be provided.
Supervise your dog until they learn the house rules.
In the house, keep the dog leashed to you so they can’t escape your sight and make a mistake. If you can’t keep an eye on them, confine them. Select a dog-proof “safe area” and make sure there is fresh water and “safe toys” available.
Give your dog plenty of people-time.
If you don’t teach your dog proper behavior options, they won’t know how to act, and they can’t learn these while they are left alone in the yard. Be patient with your dog; if you try to teach them right from wrong too quickly, you risk confusing them.
Give your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise.
If you see your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, like the sofa, don’t yell at them; instead, provide them a chew toy that’s appropriate and give them praise when they take it in their mouth.
If your dog isn’t receiving enough exercise, they may become bored and will look for ways to pass the time or combat their restlessness, such as chewing your prized furniture! Based on their age, health, and breed features, the appropriate quantity of exercise should be given.
Have realistic expectations.
Your dog will unavoidably chew something you value at some point; this is frequently a part of adjusting to a new house. You must bear in mind to use caution and keep anything out of your dog’s reach while they are learning the household rules.
My dog keeps biting the furniture; why?
As they explore the world, puppies and dogs frequently gnaw on objects. A dog can achieve a variety of goals by chewing. It offers young canines a means of easing pain that potential future teething may bring. It’s nature’s method of keeping aging dogs’ jaws strong and their teeth clean. Additionally, chewing prevents boredom and eases moderate tension or frustration.
Rule Out Problems That Can Cause Destructive Chewing
separation phobia Usually exclusively chewing when left alone or chewing most vigorously when left alone, dogs who chew to ease the tension of separation anxiety. Other separation anxiety symptoms include whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, urinating, and defecating. Please read our article, Separation Anxiety, for more information on separation anxiety and how to address it.
Clothing Sucking Some dogs chew, lick, and suckle on fabrics. According to some specialists, this behavior is a result of the baby being weaned too soon (before seven or eight weeks of age). It’s probable that a dog’s fabric-sucking activity has become compulsive if it persists for extended periods of time and it’s challenging to divert him when he tries to indulge in it. For information on how to locate a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specialized training and experience in treating compulsive behavior, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help.
Hunger A canine on a calorie-restricted diet may chew and damage items in an effort to find more food sources. Dogs typically chew on things that are connected to food or have a food-like fragrance.
How to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing
dog teething Puppies chew due to their urge to explore new objects and their discomfort from teething. Similar to young children, puppies go through a phase where they lose their baby teeth and feel discomfort as their adult teeth erupt. By six months of age, this phase of increased chewing should be over. Some people advise feeding puppies frozen wet washcloths, frozen dog toys, or ice cubes to chew on to ease teething pain. Despite the fact that puppies must chew on everything, careful training can teach your dog to limit his chewing to acceptable objects, such as his own toys.
Typical Chewing Patterns For dogs of all ages, chewing is a totally typical behavior. Dogs, whether tame or wild, can spend hours gnawing bones. Their teeth stay clean and their jaws stay strong thanks to this activity. Dogs enjoy chewing on sticks, bones, and nearly anything else that is available. They chew for entertainment, stimulation, and anxiety reduction. Although chewing is a common action in dogs, occasionally they chew on undesirable objects. A range of suitable and appealing chew toys should be available for dogs of all ages, including pups. The right chewables alone won’t suffice to stop inappropriate chewing, though. Dogs need to learn what they can and cannot chew. They must be instructed in a kind, patient way.
- “Make your home dog-proof. Put priceless goods away until you’re certain that your dog will only chew on appropriate objects. Keep books on shelves, soiled clothes in a basket, shoes and apparel in a closed closet. Make success for your dog simple.
- Give your dog a ton of his own toys, as well as some inedible chew bones. Pay attention to the toys he enjoys chewing on for extended periods of time and keep providing those. To prevent your dog from being bored with the same old toys, it’s best to rotate or introduce something new into his chew toys every few days. (Take care: Only provide your dog with natural bones that are intended for chewing. Give him raw bones instead, such as leftover t-bones or chicken wings, as they can splinter and do your dog considerable harm. Also keep in mind that some people who chew extremely hard may be able to break tiny pieces off of real bones or even their own teeth. Consult your dog’s veterinarian if you are unsure what is safe to give him.)
- Bully sticks, pig ears, rawhide bones, pig skin rolls, and other natural chews are good options to give your dog. Sometimes, especially if they bite off and swallow big chunks, dogs can choke on edible chews. If your dog has a tendency to do this, make sure he is alone when he chews so he can unwind. (If he is forced to chew in the presence of other dogs, he can feel pressured to outdo them and try to gulp down food quickly.) Whenever your dog is chewing on an edible object, be sure to keep an eye on him so you can step in if he starts to choke.
- Find out when your dog is most inclined to chew and offer him a puzzle toy with some tasty treats during those times. You can put a portion of your dog’s daily food allowance in the toy.
- Spraying chewing deterrents on the improper items will deter chewing. Apply a small bit of the repellent on some cotton wool or tissue before using it. It should be placed gently in your dog’s mouth. Spit it out after letting him taste it. Your dog may toss his head, drool, or retch if the taste offends him. He won’t take the tissue or wool out of his pocket once again. Ideally, he will have discovered the link between the deterrent’s taste and smell, making him more inclined to refrain from chewing things that smell like it. All items that you don’t want your dog to chew should be treated with the deterrent. Every day for the next two to four weeks, reapply the deterrent. Please be aware, though, that more than merely using deterrents will be necessary for the successful treatment of destructive chewing. Both what they can chew and what they shouldn’t chew should be taught to dogs.
- Until you are certain that your dog’s chewing activity is under control, try your best to keep an eye on him during all waking hours. Tell him if you notice him licking or chewing something he shouldn’t be “Oh no, take it out of your dog’s mouth and replace it with something he CAN chew. Then joyfully commend him. Please see our article on finding professional behavior help for information on how to locate a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or Associate CAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with experience treating aggression if you have any suspicions that your dog may become aggressive if you remove something from his mouth.
- Your dog needs to be kept from chewing on improper objects when you aren’t there to watch him. For instance, if you work during the day, you are permitted to confine your dog at home for up to six hours. Use a crate or lock the door or a baby gate to a tiny room where you’ve placed your dog. Remove all prohibited items from your dog’s confinement area and provide him with a selection of suitable toys and chew items in their place. If you crate your dog, keep in mind that you’ll need to exercise him frequently and spend time with him when he’s not crated.
- Playtime with you and other dogs is a great way to give your dog physical and mental stimulation (training, social visits, etc.). Make sure your dog has plenty of playtime before you have to leave him alone for longer than a short while.
- It’s vital to refrain from confusing your dog by presenting undesired household items, such as worn-out shoes and discarded cushions, in order to assist him learn the difference between things he should and shouldn’t chew. You cannot reasonably expect your dog to learn which shoes are acceptable to chew on and which ones are not.
- Some young dogs and pups like chewing on soiled underpants. The best way to fix this issue is to consistently place dirty underwear in a closed hamper. Similar to puppies, some dogs enjoy raiding the trash and gnawing on used tampons and sanitary napkins. This carries a significant risk. A sanitary item that a dog eats may expand as it passes through his digestive tract. Put tampons and napkins in a container that your dog cannot access. As they mature, the majority of young canines outgrow these tendencies.
Some dogs merely do not have sufficient mental and physical stimulation. Chewing is one method that bored dogs often use to pass the time. Make sure to give your dog lots of opportunities to engage in mental and physical activity to discourage destructive chewing. Daily walks and outings, off-leash play with other dogs, tug and fetch games, clicker training lessons, dog sports (agility, freestyle, flyball, etc.), and serving meals in food puzzle toys are all excellent ways to do this.
Stress and Disappointment When under stress, a dog may occasionally chew, such as when he is confined in a car with youngsters or is crated next to another animal with whom he does not get along. Try to keep your dog away from stressful or upsetting circumstances to lessen this form of chewing.
Dogs who aren’t allowed to participate in interesting activities occasionally bite, shake, shred, and chew on adjacent things. When visitors pass by their kennels, shelter dogs and puppies may grab and shake blankets or bowls in an attempt to attract their attention. They act destructively out of irritation when they don’t understand. When a dog spots a cat or squirrel running by and wants to chase it but is confined by a fence, the dog may seize and gnaw on the gate. When a dog is in a training session and observes another dog enjoying fun, he could become so enthused that he grabs and chews his leash. (Dogs that compete in agility and flyball are particularly prone to this behavior since they observe other dogs having a wonderful time racing about and want to get in on the fun.) Predicting potential moments of frustration and providing your dog with a suitable toy for shaking and tearing is the best course of action for this issue. Bring a tug or stuffed animal toy to class for your dog to hold and gnaw on. Tie a rope toy to a sturdy object by the gate or barrier if your dog gets frustrated by pets or objects on the other side of a fence or gate at home. Give puppies and dogs in shelters toys and chew bones to keep them entertained. Teach them to go to the front of their kennels and sit quietly to attract attention from onlookers whenever it is possible.
- Do not spank, reprimand, or otherwise punish your dog after the event by pointing out the harm he caused. He is unable to relate his actions from hours or even just minutes ago to the punishment you gave him.
- Use duct tape sparingly if you need to keep your dog’s jaws shut over a chewed object. This is cruel, won’t teach your dog anything, and has even resulted in the death of several pets.
- Never attach a broken object to your dog. This is cruel and will not provide your dog any lessons.
- To stop chewing, avoid keeping your dog in a kennel for extended periods of time (more than six hours).
