Is your dog chewing everything in sight, from old shoes to furniture? Destructive behaviour like this is common, especially in puppies.
Chewing is a natural way for dogs to explore their world, relieve teething discomfort, or ease boredom and anxiety. The key is to redirect this instinct toward appropriate objects.
By understanding why your dog chews and giving your dog the right chew toys, you can prevent damage and help foster healthy chewing habits.
Key Takeaways
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Puppies chew due to teething discomfort, curiosity, boredom, anxiety, hunger, or seeking attention. Providing appropriate chew toys can help redirect this behaviour.
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Chewing can damage household items, pose health risks like choking or electric shock, and strain the bond between owners and their pets. Addressing the issue early prevents long-term problems.
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Offer teething toys, puppy-proof your home, use baby gates to restrict access, and provide mental and physical stimulation. These steps help prevent chewing on inappropriate objects.
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Supervise your puppy, use positive reinforcement, establish a routine, ensure they get enough exercise and offer ice cubes to soothe teething pain.
Table of Contents
- What Causes Destructive Puppy Chewing?
- Problems Caused by Destructive Chewing Behaviour
- Ways to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing
- Tips for Correcting Destructive Chewing Behaviour in Puppies
- FAQ
What Causes Destructive Puppy Chewing?
Teething Discomfort
Teething discomfort occurs when young dogs are transitioning from baby teeth to adult teeth. As their old teeth fall out and new teeth grow in, they will experience pain.
During this time, puppies often start biting on objects to soothe their gums and alleviate pain. However, this behaviour can damage your property and lead to bad chewing habits.
You can direct your puppy's chewing to appropriate chew toys such as the Cactus Chill Teething Toy by All For Paws which can be frozen to help relieve pain further.
Exploring Their Environment
Puppies are naturally curious and use their mouths to explore the world around them. Just like human babies, young dogs rely on chewing to understand textures, shapes and tastes.
While this is an essential part of their learning process, it can lead to destructive chewing when they target furniture, shoes or other household items. Anything within reach becomes a potential object of interest, regardless of its value or purpose.
The Little Buddy Wonderland 3 Pack is a great solution, offering your puppy multiple textures to chew on - plush, latex and rope. This helps them learn while also directing their chewing away from the wrong things.
Relieving Boredom or Anxiety
If your puppy is feeling bored or struggling with separation anxiety, destructive chewing is commonly a way for your puppy to distract and soothe themselves temporarily.
For anxious puppies, anxiety toys like the Heart Beat Sheep can help by providing comfort and security. Its realistic heartbeat mimics a mother dog’s presence, soothing your puppy and reducing unwanted chewing by keeping them calm and reassured.
Seeking Attention
Puppies that crave attention may resort to destructive chewing when they feel ignored, either out of frustration or because they have learnt that being naughty will get your attention.
A solution is the Flip'N'Slide, a puzzle toy that challenges your puppy to flip or slide compartments to find hidden treats. By providing a toy that offers both physical and mental stimulation, puppies are busier, more tired, and less reliant on constant attention.
This can help them develop independence while reducing chewing inappropriate things.
Relieving Hunger
Hungry puppies may chew destructively as a way to seek out food. If their hunger isn’t met in time, they may turn to anything within reach, chewing on household items and causing frustration for owners.
A helpful solution is the Tasty Bone Lick Mat. By spreading wet food, puree or yogurt onto the mat, your puppy will work to lick it off, making their meals last longer and reducing the urge to chew destructively out of hunger.
Feeding meals more frequently can also help, and if you're unsure about portion sizes, it's always a good idea to seek advice from your vet.
Problems Caused by Destructive Chewing Behaviour
Destructive chewing can lead to significant damage to household items, such as chewed-up furniture, torn shoes or torn wires. These everyday items can become expensive to replace, and it can be incredibly frustrating for owners.
Not only that but there are serious health risks associated with destructive chewing. Puppies may accidentally swallow small pieces of objects, leading to choking or intestinal blockages. Chewing on electrical cords puts your puppy at risk of electric shock, or worse, even death.
Persistent destructive chewing can also put a strain on the relationship between you and your puppy. It can lead to frustration, stress and even feelings of helplessness, as you may struggle to manage the behaviour. Over time, this can create a disconnect between you and your puppy, making it harder to build a positive, trusting bond.
Due to these reasons, it is crucial that you address these chewing habits as early as possible.
Ways to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing
Offer Dog Toys Specifically Designed for Puppy Teething
Offering appropriate chew toys specifically designed for puppy teething is one of the most effective ways to manage or reduce destructive chewing.
Teething toys are specifically designed to soothe sore gums and help puppies transition from baby teeth to adult teeth. When puppies chew on these toys, it provides them with a safe and satisfying outlet for their chewing instincts.
This prevents puppies from targeting household items, reducing the risk of damage and minimising frustration for both the puppy and owner.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Dog proofing your home will reduce destructive chewing by limiting your puppy's access to items they shouldn’t chew.
Start by creating safe spaces, such as using baby gates to block off rooms or areas with valuables. Store shoes, electrical cords and cherished household items out of reach.
You can also use furniture covers or protective sprays on items you can’t move.
Use a Puppy Gate
Using a puppy gate is an effective way to restrict access to off-limits areas when you can't supervise your dog.
A gate not only blocks off one area but can also be used to set up a dedicated puppy zone where your puppy feels safe and comfortable in a controlled environment. We recommend setting this up in a small room away from foot traffic or loud noise, so your puppy can nap uninterrupted throughout the day.
Provide Your Puppy with Mental and Physical Stimulation
Providing your puppy with mental and physical stimulation is key to managing and reducing destructive chewing. Puppies need plenty of exercise and opportunities to engage their minds to burn off excess energy throughout the day
Interactive toys, puzzle toys filled with treats, daily walks, and dog sports such as agility are excellent ways to provide your puppy with enrichment.
When your puppy is tired from both physical activity and mental challenges, they are less likely to turn to chewing as a way to entertain themselves or relieve boredom.
Tips for Correcting Destructive Chewing Behaviour in Puppies
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Supervise Your Dog: Always supervise your puppy, especially during the teething phase, to prevent chewing and provide gentle guidance.
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Use Positive Reinforcement: When your puppy chews on their toys, reward them with praise, pats and treats. This teaches them to make better choices.
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Create a Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine for feeding, playtime and walks to help your puppy feel secure and less anxious.
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Physical Exercise: Make sure your puppy gets enough physical exercise each day including daily walks and off leash play. A tired dog is less likely to misbehave!
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Give Ice Cubes: Ice can soothe sore gums and provide a safe, enjoyable chew.
FAQ
Are certain breeds more prone to destructive chewing?
Yes, certain breeds, such as Labradors, Staffies and German Shepherds, are more prone to destructive chewing due to their high energy levels, curiosity and strong chewing instincts. Proper training, mental stimulation and exercise can help manage this behaviour.
When will my puppy stop chewing everything?
Puppies typically stop chewing everything around 6 to 12 months old, once their permanent teeth come in and they grow out of this intensified chewing phase. During this time, it's important to redirect them to appropriate items like chew toys and keep valuable objects out of reach.
Is destructive chewing normal for all puppies?
Yes! Destructive chewing is normal for most puppies, especially during teething or when exploring their environment. It's a natural behaviour, but it can be frustrating for owners.
With patience, training and appropriate outlets like chew toys, your puppy will outgrow this phase and learn better habits.
Are chew toys effective in preventing destructive chewing behaviour amongst puppies?
Yes, chew toys are highly effective in minimising destructive chewing. Providing your puppy with appropriate toys gives them a safe outlet for their chewing instincts. A good play session with these toys also helps burn off excess energy, reducing the chances of them chewing on furniture or other off-limit items.
