A shredded shoe or splintered table leg feels personal, yet for your dog, chewing is as natural as breathing. Mouths act as hands, toothbrushes, and stress balls all at once. Your job is to channel that urge into safe outlets while teaching clear household rules.
This dog training article presents the reasons why dogs chew, how short-term fixes differ from long-term learning strategies, and which daily habits protect both belongings and canine well-being.
Follow each step, stay consistent, and you will soon realize fewer messes and a calmer companion.
Related Article: How to Correct Puppy Biting & Nipping Behaviour
Why Dogs Chew?
Every dog chews for one or more of four practical reasons. Knowing the motive lets you target a solution instead of guessing.
- Teething relief (8 weeks to six months). Swollen gums drive puppies to bite anything with texture. Cold rubber toys and frozen cloth soothe pain better than chair legs.
- Exploration and play (6 months to two years). Adolescents sample the world to learn what bends, tastes good, or makes them react. Training redirects curiosity before it hardens into habit.
- Stress release (any age). Loud renovations, lonely afternoons, or big life changes trigger anxious chewing. Extra exercise and calm routines cut tension.
- Boredom and energy surplus. A high-drive breed left indoors too long finds its own job. Without puzzles, scent games, or runs, that job looks like sofa demolition.
A single dog can cycle through all four reasons in one week, so stay alert and adjust support as needs change.
Quick Fixes versus Long-Term Training
A spray deterrent or hastily hidden shoe prevents damage for a day, yet the root behaviour stays alive. True change pairs immediate management with skill-building sessions.
- Management (today’s safeguard). Baby gates, crates, and taste deterrents remove options for mischief.
- Training (lifelong habit). Teaching “leave it,” “drop,” and “settle” gives dogs tools to make good choices without barriers.
- Enrichment (energy channel). Brain games, sniff walks, and supervised chew toys satisfy natural urges so furniture stays intact.
Think of chewing control like exercise; consistent practice reinforces muscle memory and keeps skills sharp.
12-Step Plan to Curb Chewing
The plan below scales from first-day puppies to adult rescues. Apply each step in order, track progress, and repeat drills until your dog succeeds five times out of five.
1. Puppy-Proof Living Areas
Remove shoes, remote controls, and laundry. Bundle cables using cord covers from the hardware store. Clean floors each night so dropped crumbs or tissues never tempt morning teeth.
2. Pick the Right Chew Arsenal
Choose items that match jaw strength. Soft rubber rings suit baby teeth, while durable nylon bones resist powerful chewers. Offer three textures and rotate weekly so novelty keeps interest high.
3. Schedule Predictable Feed, Play, and Rest Blocks
Dogs thrive on routine. Two meals, two exercise sessions, and two rest breaks at similar times each day stabilize hormone levels and reduce anxious nibbling.
4. Teach “Leave It” with High Success
Hold a bland object in one hand and a treat in the other. Say “leave it” and wait for eye contact. Reward instantly. Gradually upgrade to more tempting objects, such as socks, until your dog succeeds even with low-value treats.
5. Install a Solid “Drop” Cue
Play tug with a rope. Pause play, present a treat, and say “drop.” The moment the rope falls, praise and resume the game. The cue becomes self-reinforcing because releasing the toy brings the fun back.
6. Provide Daily Mental Workouts
Use puzzle feeders, scent trails in the yard, or short trick sessions. Ten minutes of problem-solving tires the brain as much as a half-hour walk, lowering destructive urges.
7. Practice Pre-Departure Calm
Five minutes before leaving, guide your dog to a bed, give a stuffed Kong, and exit quietly. No lengthy farewells. The routine desensitizes departures and cuts anxiety chewing.
8. Interrupt and Redirect in Real Time
Keep a lightweight house line attached when you are home. If teeth touch table legs, guide the dog away, hand an approved chew, and praise when gnawing resumes on the legal item.
9. Apply Taste Deterrents Strategically
Spray bitter apple or citrus on favourite target zones. Reapply every three days and after cleaning. Combine with redirection to speed learning that the furniture is never tasty.
10. Use Safe Confinement during Absences
Crates, playpens, or dog-proofed rooms guard against mistakes. Include a long-lasting chew and white-noise machine to mask external triggers. Release only after calm behaviour, reinforcing that quiet earns freedom.
11. Expand Freedom Gradually
When two weeks pass without damage, open a new area for supervised trial. If success continues, widen the boundary again. Slow progression prevents overwhelm and setbacks.
12. Track Results and Adjust
Keep a simple log: date, location, item chewed or success. Patterns reveal weak spots, such as late-afternoon boredom, allowing you to fine-tune exercise or enrichment.
Related Article: 10 Signs Your Dog Needs Professional Training
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even dedicated owners slip up. Skip these errors, and progress accelerates.
- Scolding after the fact. Dogs connect feedback only to the present moment. Correct mid-act or focus on prevention.
- Inconsistent house rules. A single “just this once” confuses learning. Make rules clear for every family member and visitor.
- Neglecting mental workouts. A tired body with an awake brain seeks work. Scent mats or basic obedience refreshers engage the mind.
- Cheap, unsafe chews. Brittle plastic or low-grade rawhide splinters and cause vet bills. Invest in tested products sized for your dog’s bite.
When Should You Call a Professional Dog Trainer?
Still finding splinters on the floor after doing all the drills? That’s a sign you could use expert backup. Eli Dog Trainer works across Toronto and Barrie with puppy, adult, and K9 courses shaped around your dog’s age, breed, and day-to-day routine.
Eli spent 15 years handling working dogs with the Israeli police, so reading a quick ear flick or lip lick is second nature to him. One hands-on session gives you clear cues, a practice plan, and the confidence to keep going at home.
Need a deeper reset? A short board-and-train stay puts your dog through an intensive refresher, then Eli walks you through the hand-off step by step. Follow the homework, and most families see chew marks fade within three weeks—a solid payoff for calling in a pro.
Professional help is ideal if:
- Furniture or walls suffer damage despite daily management.
- Separation or storm anxiety causes frantic gnawing.
- A working-breed dog shows restless pacing even after long runs.
- You feel frustrated or unsure how to progress.
A consultation with Eli brings a detailed behaviour assessment, equipment guidance, and a printed plan to track milestones.
Related Article: Why Is Professional Dog Training Important for Every Dog Owner?
Chew-Proof Living Starts Today
Start small and stay steady. Pick up shoes, tuck loose cables behind furniture, and scatter two or three tough chew toys where your dog likes to hang out. Each time those eager jaws land on an approved toy, praise warmly or drop a treat, that instant “Yes!” message sticks faster than any scolding.
If the chewing habit still sneaks back, reach out to Eli Dog Trainer. A tailored plan and a few targeted lessons can turn weeks of frustration into calm evenings and intact furniture.
Stick with the process and you’ll have a secure dog, a tidy home, and a lot more time to enjoy each other’s company.
