If you’ve ever come home to chewed-up shoes, gnawed furniture, or bite marks on your baseboards, you’re not alone! Puppies love to chew, especially when they’re teething—it helps relieve discomfort as their new teeth come in.
But don’t assume they’ll grow out of it! Adult dogs love to chew too, and if they don’t learn what’s okay to chew (and what’s not), your home could take a beating for years to come. Wondering why your dog seems to chew everything in sight? Let’s break it down and talk about how to put a stop to it.
Learning How Fun Chewing Can Be
As a puppy, your dog probably chewed on just about everything. And every time they did, it helped relieve their teething pain—so in their mind, chewing was a good thing! That little lesson stuck with them, even after teething was over.
Now that your dog is all grown up, they still remember how much fun chewing was, which is why they keep testing their teeth on things they shouldn’t. The good news? If you did a great job stopping bad chewing habits early, you’ll have an easier time now. But if your puppy had a free-for-all with your shoes and furniture, well… you’ve got some work to do!
Nylabone Textured Ring Power Chew Toy for Dogs
The Nylabone Textured Ring Power Chew Toy satisfies strong chewers with durable, textured nylon, promoting dental health while keeping dogs entertained.
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Chewing is Natural for Dogs
Chewing is totally natural for dogs. Think about their wolf ancestors—tearing apart prey was part of survival, and those sharp teeth were made for it. Even today, chewing helps dogs clean their teeth, exercise their jaws, and, most importantly, have fun! It’s their way of staying entertained. So expecting your dog to never chew? That’s just not realistic.
But why do they go for the weird stuff—like your stinky shoes or the TV remote? The secret is thinking like a dog. Those smelly shoes might gross you out, but to your pup, they’re full of interesting scents—especially yours! Same with the remote or anything else you touch a lot. Taste isn’t what drives them—it’s all about smell.
And what about wooden table legs or baseboards? Sometimes, it’s just because they’re there! A bored or stressed dog will look for anything to chew, and furniture is right at mouth level. The texture also plays a role—wood and plastic have just the right amount of firmness for a satisfying chomp. But if your dog is chewing around windows or door frames, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.
Bodhi Dog Bitter Apple No Chew Spray
Bodhi Dog Bitter Apple No Chew Spray helps deter chewing with a safe, bitter formula, protecting furniture, shoes, and more from destructive behavior.
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Providing Chew Toys for Your Dog
The first step to stopping unwanted chewing is giving your dog better things to chew on. But just tossing a bunch of toys on the floor and hoping for the best won’t work. Think like a dog! That brand-new toy is unfamiliar, but your shoe? That’s already been tested and approved as a favorite chew. So, you need to make the toys more exciting! Try rotating them every few days to keep things fresh and interesting.
Food-dispensing chew toys, like the Kong Classic or Zogoflex Tux, are great options. They’re tough enough to last but have a little flexibility for a satisfying chew. The best part? You can stuff them with goodies like peanut butter or cream cheese. For an extra treat, layer in crunchy snacks like liver treats or homemade biscuits—your dog will love the surprise! Freezing the toy after stuffing it makes the fun last even longer.
Edible chews are another great option. They won’t last as long as a durable toy, but dogs go crazy for them! Plus, they help clean teeth and gums. Just be sure to choose ones that match your dog’s chewing style. For example, rawhide isn’t the best choice for aggressive chewers since they might break off large pieces, which can be a choking hazard or cause digestive issues.
Teaching Your Dog Appropriate Chewing Behavior
So, you’ve given your dog plenty of fun chew toys, but they’re still going after your stuff. What now? The trick is to control their choices. Make it easier for them to pick the right thing to chew. Put shoes in the closet, stash the remote in a drawer, and block access to anything else tempting. For things you can’t move—like baseboards or furniture—try a bitter-tasting spray. Apply it daily for at least three to four weeks to help break the habit while teaching them better chewing behavior.
The goal is to make your dog obsessed with their chew toys. If you offer awesome alternatives and prevent them from chewing the wrong things, they’ll quickly learn what’s okay and what’s off-limits. Positive reinforcement helps, too! When they chew the right thing, give them plenty of praise and maybe even a treat. The more rewarding you make it, the more likely they’ll stick to the good stuff.
Supervision is key while they’re learning. If you catch them about to chew something they shouldn’t, redirect them to a toy or an edible chew. When you can’t keep an eye on them, use a crate or a safe area—but always include a chew toy to keep them entertained. Once they understand what’s okay to chew, they’ll be ready for more freedom.
KONG Extreme Dog Toy
The KONG Extreme Dog Toy is ultra-durable, perfect for power chewers, and can be stuffed with treats to keep dogs engaged and satisfied.
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And don’t forget—bored dogs love to chew! If they don’t have enough to do, they’ll find their own entertainment (and that usually involves their teeth). Make sure they’re getting plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental challenges. A happy, tired dog is much less likely to destroy your stuff!
