Is your dog on
a personal mission to shred your shoes, pillows, or that expensive couch?
Congratulations you’ve got a perfectly
normal dog.
Chewing is
natural puppies chew to explore the world (and soothe
teething gums), and adult dogs chew to relax or beat boredom. The trick isn’t
stopping chewing altogether it’s redirecting
it to something that isn’t your favorite sneakers.
Why
Dogs Chew
Dogs chew
because:
- Puppies are teething.
- Boredom strikes.
- They’re anxious or stressed.
- It’s fun and rewarding (hey,
your shoes taste like you!).
So, your goal
is simple: stop destructive chewing by giving them better options and clear
rules.
1.
Puppy-Proof Your House
First things
first remove temptation! If you’d rather
not lose it, put it away.
- Shoes in closets.
- Remote controls up high.
- Trash cans with lids.
It’s not
forever just while you’re teaching good
habits.
2.
Provide Plenty of Legal Chew Toys
Dogs must
chew so give them safe, interesting
things to sink their teeth into.
- Offer a variety: rubber toys,
rope toys, frozen teething rings.
- Rotate toys to keep them
interesting.
- For teething pups, frozen
carrots or wet washcloths work wonders.
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3.
Redirect and Reward
When you catch
your dog chewing something off-limits, don’t yell.
Instead, calmly remove the forbidden object, offer an approved chew toy, and
praise when they take it.
Consistency is
key every time.
4.
Use Taste Deterrents
Still chewing
the couch corners? Try a safe bitter spray to make off-limits items less tasty.
Always test a small spot first!
5.
Tire Out Their Brain and Body
A tired dog is
a good dog. Chewing often means boredom.
Daily walks, training sessions, and brain games (see our Brain Games
article!) all help burn excess energy that might otherwise be spent destroying
your stuff.
6.
Supervise When Possible
Until your dog
understands the rules, keep them where you can see them.
Baby gates or a safe crate help prevent secret chewing sprees.
7.
Stay Calm and Patient
Dogs don’t chew
your favorite things out of spite.
Correct calmly, offer better choices, and praise like crazy when they get it
right.
How
This Connects
Destructive
chewing often links to boredom and anxiety so your best plan is a combo:
✅ More mental enrichment (try our Mental
Enrichment Guide).
✅ Regular training (use clicker
training!).
✅ Safe chew toys.
Together, they
teach your dog what’s okay to chew and what’s definitely not.
What
Not to Do
- Never punish after the fact dogs
live in the moment and won’t connect your anger with the chewed shoe.
- Don’t yank or smack you’ll only scare your dog and damage
trust.
Final
Chew
Stopping
destructive chewing takes time, consistency, and a few well-placed chew toys.
Redirect. Reward. Repeat. Your shoes and
your sanity will thank you.
Infographic for this article
“This simple brain game made my dog stop barking like crazy you’ve got to try it!”
References
- Horwitz, D., & Mills, D. BSAVA
Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine.
- American Veterinary Medical
Association. Guidelines on Puppy Behavior and Destructive Chewing.
- Overall, K. Manual of Clinical
Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats.
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