How to Stop a Destructive Dog from Chewing

Teach your dog which items are chewable and which are off-limits.

Destructive chewing is common in puppies and young dogs. Puppies chew during teething to make their gums feel better. Older dogs chew for a number of reasons, including boredom, attention-seeking, lack of training, stress and separation anxiety, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Whatever the reason for your dog's destructive chewing, you can solve the problem with a little patience and understanding.

Things You'll Need

• Chew toys
• Crate
• Pet gate

Instructions

1. Pick up any non-dog-friendly items you don't want to lose. Anything that's on the floor is fair game to an untrained destructive dog, and by taking responsibly for your belongings, you will be better equipped to train your dog and stop the behavior.

2. Supervise your dog at all times. Tether him to you with a leash if necessary so you can see what he's doing at all times. if he puts anything off-limits in his mouth, remove it and give him a dog-friendly chew toy; praise him for chewing on the appropriate item.

3. Confine your dog when you cannot watch her. Use a crate or a pet gate and provide plenty of dog toys to entertain her while she has some alone time.

4. Provide your dog with plenty of exercise and attention. Researching your dog's breed before adoption can prevent problems caused by a lack of exercise. A bored dog will find ways to entertain himself that might involve your favorite shoe or couch.

5. Start short obedience-training sessions with your dog to occupy her mind and tire her out. Try three sessions of five minutes per day at first, and increase the length of the sessions as your dog's concentration and willingness to learn grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid giving your dog old socks or other clothing items as chew toys. Dogs are unable to differentiate between old socks and brand new socks, and if you allow your dog to chew old clothing, he will think it's acceptable to chew all clothing.

• If your dog knows which items are off-limits for chewing but chews them anyway when you're not home, it could be separation anxiety. Consult an animal behaviorist for advice on the best way to treat this potentially serious behavioral problem.

• If you catch your dog chewing inappropriately, make a sharp noise to distract him and offer him a chew toy. Praise him when he chews on the toy so he knows the difference between chew toys and your belongings.

• Do not yell at your dog or punish her for inappropriate chewing. If she chews something she shouldn't it is not her fault--it is your fault for failing to supervise.

References

• Humane Society of the United States: Chewing: The Why's and How's to Stop a Gnawing Problem
• Hilltop Animal Hospital: How to Stop Chewing Problems in Puppies
• American Dog Trainers Network: Destructive Chewing