How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Furniture?

Sooner or later, most dog owners come home to find their pup has chewed up something they shouldn’t have—like furniture, shoes, or other belongings. Dogs use their eyes and noses to explore the world, but one of their favorite ways to learn about new things is by chewing on them.

The good news is you can teach your dog to chew on the right things, so they don’t ruin your stuff or put themselves in danger.

Until they learn what’s okay to chew and what’s off-limits, the best approach is to prevent accidents before they happen. By setting your dog up for success, you can avoid having to replace your favorite chair or paying a hefty vet bill if they swallow something harmful.

Understand Your Dog

Just like babies, puppies explore the world by putting things in their mouths. They also go through a teething phase for about six months, which can be uncomfortable. Chewing helps with teething and soothes their sore gums.

Adult dogs might chew on things for different reasons, like dealing with stress or boredom. To stop destructive chewing, it’s important to figure out why your dog is doing it. Remember, they’re not chewing to upset you. Some common reasons include:

• They didn’t learn as a puppy what’s okay to chew and what’s not.
• They don’t have safe and fun chew toys.
• They’re bored.
• They have separation anxiety.
• They’re chewing to cope with fear.
• Chewing just feels good to them.

If you think your dog’s chewing is due to serious anxiety, it’s a good idea to reach out to a behavior expert for help with separation anxiety or fear-related issues.

Also Read: How to Stop a Dog from Jumping on People?

Teach What to Chew

If you don’t want your dog chewing on something, don’t leave it where they can get it. Keep clothes, shoes, books, trash, glasses, and remote controls out of reach. Putting trash in a cupboard or blocking off certain areas is the easiest way to avoid accidents.

Give your dog toys that don’t look like your stuff. If you give them old shoes or socks to play with, don’t be surprised if they chew on your new ones too—they can’t tell the difference!

Keep an eye on your dog until they’ve learned what they can and can’t chew. You can keep them on a leash inside so they stay close by, or limit them to safe rooms in the house.

Create a “safe place” that’s dog-proof, with fresh water and safe toys. If your dog is crate trained, short stays in the crate are fine, but remember—crates should be a safe, comfy spot, not a punishment. Exercise pens and baby gates are also good options.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of physical and mental exercise. A bored dog will find their own fun, which might involve chewing up your stuff. A tired dog is usually a well-behaved dog, so take them for walks and give them things to do.

Let them sniff around on walks—it’s mentally stimulating. If they enjoy playing with other dogs, consider taking them to a well-run doggy daycare.

Include toys in your daily routine. Instead of feeding from a bowl, use a puzzle toy or fill a Kong with their kibble.

For a tougher challenge, seal the toy with canned cheese or peanut butter and freeze it overnight. Rotate their toys so they don’t get bored. A “new” toy is always more exciting than an old one!

If you catch your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, swap it for an appropriate toy. If they don’t want to give up the forbidden item, use a high-value treat to trade.

Once they get the hang of it, you can teach them the “give” command. Avoid yanking things out of their mouth—it could make them guard the item or run away from you.

If your puppy is teething, freeze a rubber toy to soothe their gums. Always supervise so they don’t swallow any pieces.

Also Read: What are Some Effective Ways to Train a Stubborn Dog?

You can also make certain items less appealing by using taste deterrents like Bitter Apple®. Just keep an eye on them the first time—some dogs will chew it anyway, and you might need to reapply the spray to keep it working.

If your dog grabs something and runs, don’t chase them. They’ll think it’s a fun game! Instead, call them over and offer a treat as a trade.

Be realistic—at some point, your dog will probably chew something they shouldn’t. It’s part of learning and adjusting to a new home. Help them succeed by keeping tempting items out of reach and giving them plenty of safe, fun alternatives.

Punishment doesn’t work

Sometimes, your dog might get a hold of something dangerous—like a bottle of medication—and it can be really scary. That’s why it’s so important to teach them to trade for treats. This way, they’ll give up even the most tempting items without a fight.

Yelling or yanking things out of their mouth can actually cause behavior problems. Plus, it can damage the trust between you and your dog. Why risk that when using treats and positive reinforcement works much better?

And that “guilty look” your dog gives? It’s not guilt at all. It’s a submissive posture they use when they feel threatened or unsure. If you’re upset or angry, your dog can pick up on your tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions, which can make them feel scared or anxious. They might hide or act submissive because they’re trying to avoid conflict.

Also Read: How to Train a Dog to Walk Without Pulling?

Building trust and keeping a positive relationship with your dog is the key to a happy life together!