Stop Dogs From Chewing Furniture and Other Objects

Understanding Why Dogs Chew Furniture and Objects

Dogs chew for many reasons, and understanding the root cause is the first step toward addressing the behavior. Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, not a sign of misbehavior or spite. Puppies and young dogs chew as they explore their world and as their teeth develop. Adult dogs may chew due to boredom, anxiety, dental health issues, or simply because they enjoy the sensation. Research indicates that approximately 40% of dogs show destructive chewing behaviors at some point in their lives, with puppies between 3 and 6 months old being particularly prone to chewing as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge.

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Medical conditions can also drive chewing behavior. Dogs with dental disease, nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal issues may chew excessively. Anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety, cause many dogs to chew destructively when left alone. Some dogs chew because they lack sufficient physical exercise or mental stimulation. Understanding which factor applies to your dog requires observation of when and where the chewing occurs, what objects are targeted, and whether any patterns emerge.

Environmental factors matter significantly. A dog left alone for long periods without adequate enrichment is more likely to chew furniture than one with regular interaction and activities. Dogs also chew items that carry their owner's scent, such as cushions or blankets, particularly when experiencing separation anxiety. The texture and material of furniture—soft upholstery, woven fabrics, or wood—can attract chewing behavior because these materials are appealing to a dog's instincts.

Practical takeaway: Before implementing any prevention strategy, observe your dog's chewing patterns for one to two weeks. Note the time of day chewing occurs, which objects are targeted, whether your dog is alone or with you, and any other context. This information will help you identify whether the issue stems from boredom, anxiety, teething, or another cause.

Creating a Dog-Proof Environment

Preventing access to chewable objects is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce destructive chewing. Dogs cannot chew furniture they cannot reach. This means securing or storing items that attract chewing behavior. Cushions, blankets, shoes, and other household items should be stored in closets or drawers when your dog has unsupervised access to rooms. Furniture that your dog has already damaged may need to be temporarily removed or heavily protected with covers.

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Physical barriers can be highly effective. Baby gates can confine your dog to certain areas of your home where fewer chewable items are available. Crates, when introduced properly and used humanely, provide a safe space where your dog cannot access furniture or other forbidden objects. Studies show that dogs in appropriately-sized crates—large enough to stand, turn around, and lie down—are less likely to engage in destructive behavior because they naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area.

Protecting specific furniture pieces requires creativity. Furniture covers and blankets can make upholstered items less appealing. Some owners use deterrent sprays with bitter flavors on furniture legs and edges, though effectiveness varies by individual dog. These sprays contain capsaicin or other naturally bitter compounds that most dogs find unpleasant. Applying them requires consistent reapplication, especially after the dog interacts with the treated area.

Hard surfaces and materials can be made less attractive through texture modification. Rough fabric coverings over wooden furniture legs make them less pleasant to chew compared to smooth finishes. Some owners temporarily wrap furniture legs with plastic tubing or PVC pipe, which dogs find less rewarding to chew than exposed wood or fabric.

Practical takeaway: Walk through your home from your dog's perspective and identify all easily accessible chewable items. Create a list of which items can be stored, which need protective covers, and which furniture pieces might need temporary removal while you address the chewing behavior.

Providing Appropriate Chewing Outlets

Dogs need to chew. Rather than trying to eliminate this natural behavior entirely, the goal is to redirect it toward appropriate objects. Providing a variety of dog-safe chew toys gives your dog constructive outlets for this instinct. Long-lasting chew toys—such as rubber toys, rope toys, and specially designed chew products—can occupy a dog for extended periods. A study published in veterinary behavioral journals found that dogs provided with interactive chew toys showed a 30% reduction in furniture chewing compared to dogs without designated chew items.

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Different dogs prefer different textures and types of chew toys. Some dogs enjoy rubber toys they can manipulate and carry. Others prefer rope toys that offer different textures and can be held while chewing. Natural chews like bully sticks, yak chews, or bully springs provide long-lasting satisfaction. Puzzle toys that dispense treats as the dog chews combine mental stimulation with the satisfaction of chewing. Rotating toys regularly keeps them novel and interesting, preventing your dog from losing interest.

Scent plays an important role in toy appeal. Toys that smell interesting to your dog—such as those with peanut butter scent or actual food inside—are more attractive than plain toys. Introducing new chew toys when your dog is most likely to chew (during times when they would typically target furniture) increases the chance they will use these appropriate outlets instead.

Freezing toys provides additional appeal and can ease teething discomfort in puppies. A rubber toy filled with wet dog food, then frozen, provides prolonged chewing satisfaction and soothing relief for sore gums. Some owners soak toys in low-sodium broth and freeze them, creating longer-lasting enrichment items.

Practical takeaway: Purchase or create at least three to four different types of chew toys and observe which your dog prefers. Introduce one or two new toys each week during times when your dog is most likely to seek out furniture for chewing. Supervise initial toy interactions to ensure your dog uses them safely.

Increasing Physical Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Boredom is one of the most common causes of destructive chewing in dogs. Dogs with insufficient physical activity and mental stimulation develop behavioral problems at significantly higher rates than exercised, engaged dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends that most adult dogs receive at least one to two hours of physical activity daily, though this varies by breed, age, and individual energy level. High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers may require even more activity.

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Physical exercise reduces destructive chewing in multiple ways. Tired dogs are less likely to engage in problem behaviors. Exercise also reduces stress and anxiety, which can contribute to chewing. Daily walks, running, playing fetch, or swimming provide physical outlets for a dog's energy. The intensity matters as much as the duration. A 30-minute high-intensity play session may tire a dog more effectively than a one-hour leisurely walk.

Mental stimulation is equally important. Dogs are intelligent animals that require cognitive challenges. Training sessions, scent games, hide-and-seek activities, and puzzle toys engage a dog's brain. Research demonstrates that mental stimulation reduces destructive behaviors more effectively than physical exercise alone in some cases. Dogs working on training challenges or puzzle toys show lower stress hormone levels and fewer behavioral problems.

Incorporating activities into daily routines prevents boredom. Interactive play with toys, training new commands, playing games like "find it" where your dog searches for hidden treats, or practicing agility exercises all provide mental engagement. Even 15-20 minutes of focused training or interactive play can significantly impact your dog's behavior. Dogs left alone for extended periods without stimulation are exponentially more likely to develop destructive chewing habits.

Practical takeaway: Establish a daily exercise routine appropriate to your dog's age and breed. Include both physical activity and mental challenges. Track your dog's behavior for two weeks before and after increasing exercise to observe whether activity levels correlate with reduced furniture chewing.

Managing Separation Anxiety and Stress-Related Chewing

When dogs chew furniture specifically when alone, separation anxiety may be the underlying cause. Separation anxiety affects approximately 14% of dogs and manifests in various ways, with destructive chewing being one common symptom. Dogs with separation anxiety experience genuine distress when separated from their owners and may target furniture, doors, windows, or other items in attempts to escape or cope with their stress. This is not willful misbehavior but a panic response.

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Addressing separation anxiety requires a gradual desensitization approach. Short absences that do