Chewing
One of a dog's most important tools for exploring his world is his mouth. Chewing is normal behavior for curious puppies who may be teething. Older dogs, however, may chew or engage in other destructive behavior for any number of reasons.
In order to deal with the behavior, you must first determine why your dog is chewing—and remember, he's not doing it to spite you. Reasons can range from lack of exercise to boredom to frustration or even medical problems.
The best way to immediately modify chewing behavior is to interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, offer your pup an acceptable chew toy instead, and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth. Here are other helpful tips for putting an end to chewing behavior:
- Don't make valued items available for chewing. Keep them out of sight and out of reach.
- Give your dog lots of exercise! Three daily exercise sessions of 30 to 45 minutes each should be the minimum.
- Play with your dog often, take her for walks and consider a good “Doggie Day Care” program for a couple days a week to help your dog work off all that excess energy.
- Provide your dog with plenty of toys, try different kinds of toys (including those that can be stuffed with food), and rotate them.
- Distinguish toys from household goods (do not offer socks or shoes as toys).
- Make “off-limits” chew objects unattractive to your pup by covering them with heavy plastic, aluminum foil, droplets of hot pepper sauce or other “anti-chew” products.
- Teach your dog tricks for mental stimulation, and enroll her in a training class for fun and to learn important commands.
- Chewing can also be a sign of separation anxiety. Please consult our separation anxiety section for training tips and advice on how to control this behavior.
- Have realistic expectations. There is a good chance that at some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value.
| Off-Site Resources
Destructive Chewing (Dogs)
Puppy Chewing
Chewing and Other Destructiveness in Puppies and Dogs
Chewing Only When Home Alone
Chewing When Owner is Home
Products and Training Tips for Chew-Everthing Charlie
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