My Dog Chews Everything on Sight! How To Stop A Puppy From Chewing?

Like babies, young puppies tend to explore the world by chewing on things. Chewing eases the teething process and helps alleviate discomfort in their gums.

While it might be normal for a puppy to chew on items such as walls, furniture, shoes, or even plants, this behavior can be problematic for owners. 

Unfortunately, puppies won't simply outgrow these habits. Dog owners must take steps to shape their behavior and teach them what is acceptable and what isn't.

Reasons Why puppies and Chew Things Excessively

There can be several reasons for chewing behavior in puppies:

1. Puppy teething

Puppies go through a teething phase usually between 3 to 6 months of age. Chewing helps relieve the discomfort and itchiness caused by their erupting teeth.

2. Exploration

Puppies use their mouths to explore their environment. If your puppy chews on everything in the house or everything in sight, he may be trying to understand his surroundings. Chewing allows puppies to investigate and understand new objects and textures.

3. Boredom or lack of physical and mental stimulation

Puppies have a lot of energy and need regular exercise and mental stimulation. If they are not adequately stimulated, they may resort to chewing everything they see as a way to alleviate boredom.

4. Stress or separation anxiety  

Some puppies may chew as a result of separation anxiety or stress. This could be due to being separated from their littermates, a change in environment, or any other factors causing them distress.

5. Attention-seeking behavior

Puppies may chew as a way to seek attention from their owners. If they have learned that chewing gets them extra attention, they may continue the behavior.

6. Natural instinct

Dogs have a natural instinct to chew on things, which can be attributed to their ancestry as predators. Chewing helps them strengthen their jaw muscles and clean their teeth.

It is important for puppy owners to provide appropriate chew toys, supervise their puppies to prevent destructive chewing, and address any underlying causes of the behavior. 

How to Stop Your Dog's Biting and Chewing Problem

You can prevent most biting and chewing problems in puppies and older dogs by taking these precautions:

1. Supervise and limit access to inappropriate objects

Keep an eye on your puppy and restrict their access to potentially dangerous or valuable items. This includes removing small objects, wires, shoes, and any other objects your puppy may chew on.

2. Provide appropriate chew toys

Offer a variety of safe and durable chew toys for your puppy to redirect their chewing behavior. Toys made specifically for teething puppies or durable rubber toys can help satisfy their urge to chew.

3. Puppy-proof your home

Remove any objects that are within your puppy's reach, such as plants, rugs, or low-hanging curtains. Learning how to puppy-proof your house and create a safe environment, you can minimize the opportunity for your puppy to chew on items they shouldn't.

4. Use positive reinforcement 

Reward your puppy for appropriate chewing behavior. When they chew on their toys or designated objects, provide praise, treats, or playtime to reinforce the desired behavior.

5. Keep your puppy active and engaged

Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for your puppy to minimize boredom. A tired and mentally stimulated puppy is less likely to engage in destructive chewing.

6. Consider crate training

When you cannot directly supervise your puppy, confine them in a safe and comfortable crate. This prevents them from chewing on inappropriate objects and keeps them out of trouble.

7. Address teething discomfort 

Puppies experience discomfort during the teething process, leading to increased chewing behavior. To alleviate their pain, provide appropriate teething toys, frozen washcloths, or ice cubes for them to chew on.

8. Avoid using punishment or physical force

Chewing is a natural behavior for puppies. Instead of resorting to punishment or physical force, redirect their attention to appropriate chew toys and reinforce positive behavior.

9. Seek professional help if necessary

If your puppy's chewing behavior becomes excessive, destructive, or ongoing, it's important to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can provide guidance and strategies to address any underlying issues causing the chewing problems.

What to Avoid

• Avoid showing the dog their damage while punishing or shouting at them. Dogs are unable to connect your response with something they did a few hours or minutes ago. 
• Avoid closing their mouths with duct tape as this is cruel and will not teach them anything. 
• Avoid tying the damaged item to the dog. This is not only inhumane, but it also doesn't teach them anything. 
• Avoid leaving your dog in their crate for too long (over 6 hours) to stop their chewing behavior)

It is important to understand that chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, particularly puppies. Remember, puppies explore the world through their mouths, and chewing is a normal part of their development.

Instead of resorting to ineffective and inhumane methods, owners should focus on redirecting their dogs' chewing behavior to appropriate items. 

By taking these precautions, you can help prevent most chewing problems and ensure a safe and happy environment for both you and your puppy.

For professional help with your dogs biting, chewing, or other destructive behaviors, contact a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

FAQs

Why does my dog chew on my stuff instead of his toys?

Dogs often chew on shoes, clothes, furniture or other items associated with their owners because of separation anxiety. 

For young puppies, chewing helps relieve pain caused by teething. For older pups it is a natural way of cleaning and strengthening their teeth and jaws. 

Dogs also often chew when they are bored. Chewing combats boredom and helps to relieve frustration, stress, or mild anxiety. 

Why does my dog chew everything and not his toys??

Dogs may chew on everything except their toys because of separation anxiety. Avoid leaving your dog alone for far too long. 

Do puppies outgrow chewing?

No. Dogs don't easily outgrow chewing as they mature. Instead, you should teach them acceptable behaviors and take the necessary measures to stop destroying things when you leave them alone. 

How to get my dog to stop chewing?

• Take care of your own stuff
• Provide your dog with dog chew toys that they can easily distinguish from your belongings. 
• Watch over your dog to ensure they are chewing on their toys and not your stuff. 
• Give your puppy enough physical and mental exercise. 
• Use positive reinforcements to reward positive behavior. 

Do puppies chew less as they age?

Although the destructive chewing behavior tends to decrease as dogs age, many adult and senior dogs still find enjoyment in chewing. Puppies, who are inquisitive and teething tend to chew more frequently, but this tendency typically reduces around the age of 6 months.