Stop Dog Chewing: Practical Training Strategies Guide

Understanding Why Dogs Chew and What Triggers the Behavior

Dogs chew for many different reasons, and understanding the root cause is the first step toward addressing the problem. Chewing is a completely natural behavior for dogs—it's not something that can or should be eliminated entirely. Instead, the goal is to redirect chewing toward appropriate items and away from furniture, shoes, and other household belongings.

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Puppies chew primarily because they are teething. Between three and six months of age, a puppy's baby teeth fall out and adult teeth grow in. During this time, their gums become sore and tender, and chewing helps relieve the discomfort. This phase typically lasts until a puppy is around seven months old. Adult dogs continue to chew for different reasons: to keep their teeth clean, to exercise their jaws, out of boredom, due to anxiety or stress, or simply because they enjoy it.

Research shows that destructive chewing is one of the top five behavioral problems reported by dog owners. According to veterinary behaviorists, about 20 percent of dogs engage in destructive chewing behavior at some point in their lives. Dogs with high energy levels, certain breeds known for strong chewing drives (like Labradors, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers), and dogs left alone for extended periods are more likely to develop problem chewing habits.

Medical issues can also trigger excessive chewing. Dogs suffering from dental disease, skin allergies, or digestive problems may chew more frequently. If your dog suddenly increases chewing behavior, a veterinary checkup is worth considering to rule out health problems. Anxiety-related chewing often occurs when dogs are left alone and may be accompanied by other signs like excessive barking, pacing, or destructive behavior focused on doorways and windows.

Practical Takeaway: Before addressing chewing behavior, observe when and where your dog chews most. Does it happen during the day when they're alone, at night, or after exercise? Is your dog a puppy going through teething, or an adult dog? Understanding the trigger will help you choose the most effective training strategy.

Creating an Environment That Discourages Unwanted Chewing

Your home environment plays a major role in whether your dog will chew on inappropriate items. Dogs are more likely to chew things that are accessible, smell interesting, or remind them of their owner. One of the most effective prevention strategies is to remove temptation by making valuable items unavailable.

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Start by doing a thorough assessment of your living space from your dog's perspective. Walk through your home at dog level and identify items that could become chewing targets. Secure electrical cords behind furniture or inside cord covers—chewed electrical cords are a serious hazard. Store shoes, socks, and clothing in closets with doors that close securely. Many dogs develop a preference for chewing textiles, so keeping laundry in a hamper with a lid rather than on the floor makes a significant difference. Cushions from furniture can be protected with barrier sprays designed to taste unpleasant to dogs.

Use baby gates and closed doors to restrict your dog's access to rooms where they're unsupervised. This containment strategy is particularly useful for puppies and young dogs. Confining your dog to a smaller space—whether a crate, a specific room, or a playpen—naturally reduces opportunities for inappropriate chewing. Research on canine learning shows that dogs learn just as much from what they don't get to practice as from what they're actively trained to avoid.

Furniture covers and protective barriers can save your belongings. Dog-safe furniture pads made from rubber or plastic can protect table and chair legs. For items that can't be moved or protected, you may need to keep your dog out of those rooms until their chewing behavior improves. Some dog owners use baby gates to create a designated safe zone where their dog spends unsupervised time, ensuring all items in that space are chew-appropriate.

The cleanliness of your environment matters too. Dogs are attracted to items that smell like their owners, so worn clothing should be washed and stored away rather than left in laundry baskets where dogs can access them. Removing the scent appeal of items reduces their attractiveness as chew toys.

Practical Takeaway: Spend time this week identifying and securing three problem areas in your home—places where your dog typically chews or where you keep items you don't want chewed. This single step often reduces destructive chewing by half.

Selecting and Introducing Appropriate Chew Toys

Since dogs are going to chew no matter what, providing attractive and appropriate chew toys is essential. The key is selecting toys that are more interesting to your dog than household items, and teaching your dog that these toys are the acceptable outlet for chewing behavior.

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Different dogs have different chewing preferences. Some dogs prefer soft toys, while others like hard rubber toys or rope toys. Some enjoy toys they can stuff with treats, while others want something they can really work their teeth on. Observing what textures and types of toys your dog gravitates toward helps you make better selections. Puppies teething benefit from toys that can be frozen—frozen washcloths, Kong toys, or rubber teething rings provide cold comfort to sore gums.

Food-dispensing toys are particularly valuable because they combine chewing with the reward of treats, keeping dogs engaged longer. Kong toys, puzzle toys, and treat-dispensing balls can occupy a dog for extended periods. Research on dog enrichment shows that dogs given puzzle toys and food-dispensing toys engage in less destructive behavior, and the mental stimulation helps tire them out as much as physical exercise does. Rotating toys so they're not always available helps maintain novelty and interest.

Safety is crucial when selecting chew toys. Toys should be sized appropriately for your dog—too small and they become choking hazards, too large and your dog may lose interest. Inspect toys regularly for signs of damage or small pieces that could break off. Some dogs are aggressive chewers and will destroy toys quickly, requiring toys made from more durable materials. Others can enjoy delicate toys without damage. Know your dog's chewing style before purchasing.

Avoid toys that closely resemble household items you don't want chewed. For example, if you don't want your dog chewing on shoes, don't give them soft rubber toys shaped like shoes. Dogs don't distinguish between a toy shoe and a real shoe—both look like fair game to them. Similarly, avoid giving your dog old clothing or shoes as toys, even if you think they're appropriate because they're "used" items. Once your dog learns that shoes are chewable, distinguishing between old shoes and new ones becomes difficult for them.

Introduce new toys positively. Show them to your dog with enthusiasm, play with them together initially, and reward your dog for showing interest. Some dogs need encouragement to understand that toys are meant for chewing and play. Squeaky toys or toys with interesting textures can attract attention more readily.

Practical Takeaway: Purchase or gather three different types of chew toys this week and observe which ones your dog prefers. Invest in a few high-quality, durable toys in those preferred styles rather than many cheap toys that will be destroyed quickly.

Training Techniques to Redirect Chewing Behavior

Training your dog to chew appropriate items while avoiding inappropriate ones requires consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. The most effective approaches involve catching your dog doing something right and rewarding that behavior, rather than focusing only on punishment for mistakes.

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The "redirect and reward" technique is one of the most straightforward methods. When you catch your dog chewing on something inappropriate, calmly interrupt the behavior—a simple "no" or "leave it" command works—and immediately offer an appropriate chew toy instead. When your dog takes the toy, praise enthusiastically and offer a treat reward. This teaches your dog that appropriate toys lead to positive consequences. Timing matters; the reward needs to happen within seconds of the desired behavior for your dog to make the connection.

Teaching a solid "leave it" command gives you a tool to interrupt problem chewing before it starts. To train this, hold a treat in your closed fist and let your dog sniff and lick your hand. When they pull away, say "leave it" and immediately reward with a different treat from your other hand. Practice this dozens of times until your dog understands that backing away from the item results in a reward. Once they understand the concept with treats, you can apply the command